Choosing the Right Point of View

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New authors sometimes get confused about which point of view (POV) they should use for their book. How do you know which one is best? The answer is it depends. There are a few factors to consider before choosing a POV.

Just in case you need a refresher, first person generally uses I/me pronouns, second person uses you, and third person uses he/she/they. This does not apply to dialogue though. 

Genres typically have specific conventions, one of which is POV. For example, memoirs are written in first person, while romances are typically in third. The best way to figure out genre conventions is to read widely within the genre. You'll pick up on the smaller details that aren't typically explained. 

Of course, there are times where you might want to choose a less popular POV and it can still work. Think about how you want to tell the story, and what you are most comfortable writing in. If you feel like your writing is better in first person, then it makes sense to choose that. If you change your mind, POV can always be adjusted during the editing process. 

If you feel passionately about using a point of view that isn't popular in your genre it's possible. Just make sure to know the conventions before you decide to break them. Most readers will accept your choice if it is done well. If you aren't sure about your choice, look at how POV will change the story. Ask yourself how the story will benefit from a specific POV. 

Not all successful stories stick to genre conventions or expectations, but they are all carefully thought out. If you're stuck on POV, pick one and keep going. It is much easier to change POV than it is to stop writing because you can't decide what to pick. Don't worry about a first draft being perfect, focus on making progress.