In the second of a three part series for Writer’s Digest, Sharon Short says your character’s emotional connection to what’s happening in your story can help you decide whether to write in deep POV. “What emotional distance (close, far, or a mix) should you strike to achieve the best point of view for your story, novel, or memoir?” she asks. “The answer, of course, depends on the type of story you’re telling as well as the experience you want your readers to have.”
Many writers believe that first person POV is more personal than third, but Short says that third person can create that same connection and can often create a more consistent narrative. You can still use this approach when you want some emotional distance from your character. “Perhaps she’s a stiff, uptight character who doesn’t let anyone easily into her feelings,” Short says. “A less distracting way to create distance is to use active verbs, eliminate immediate thoughts and feelings, and stick to the facts of the narrator’s situation.”
