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Writing That Turns Heads and Opens Wallets
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Hello, fellow storytellers!
Let's chat about one of the most powerful (and sometimes confusing) tools in a fiction writer's arsenal: point of view, or POV for short. Choosing the right point of view can seriously make or break your story. It's like picking the right camera lens—you'll either zoom right into your character's head or hover above like a storytelling drone. And yes, getting it right can feel a little overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder how you ever wrote without thinking about it. Today, I'll explain it in plain English, sprinkle in a little humour, and provide examples to make everything click. Let's dive in! 🚀 What Is Point of View (POV) in Writing? In simple terms, point of view is the perspective from which your story is told. It's the lens through which readers experience your characters, setting, and plot. Think of it like this:
🎯 The Main Types of Point of View (With Examples) 1. First Person POV ("I" Voice) Definition: The story is narrated by one character at a time. You're inside their head, hearing their thoughts, feeling their emotions, and seeing their world. Example: I shuffled into the room, my heart hammering against my ribs. Today was the day everything would change. Pros: ✅ Super personal and emotional ✅ Readers experience events firsthand ✅ Great for character-driven stories Cons: ❌ You're stuck with only what the narrator knows ❌ Limited ability to show other perspectives Personal Tip: Writing in first person is like giving readers VIP backstage passes into your character's brain—just make sure it's a brain they'll want to spend 300 pages with! 2. Third Person Limited POV ("He/She" Voice) Definition: The story is told from the perspective of one character at a time, but using "he," "she," or "they" instead of "I." Example: Marcus shuffled into the room, his heart hammering against his ribs. Today was the day everything would change. Pros: ✅ Emotional connection with the character ✅ A little more flexibility than first-person ✅ Easy to weave in internal thoughts and feelings Cons: ❌ Still limited to one character's experiences unless you switch viewpoints (carefully!) 3. Third Person Omniscient POV (The "All-Knowing" Narrator) Definition: The narrator knows everything about everyone, including thoughts, feelings, backstory, and even what's happening in different places at once. Example: Marcus shuffled into the room, unaware that Claire, across town, was already putting the second phase of her plan into action. Pros: ✅ Broader storytelling canvas ✅ Great for epic tales with many moving parts Cons: ❌ Risk of confusing readers if you hop heads too often ❌ Can feel distant if not handled carefully Fun Note: Omniscient used to be the standard (hello, Charles Dickens!). Today, readers often prefer a deeper emotional dive with limited POV. 4. Second Person POV ("You" Voice) Definition: The story is told as if the reader is the protagonist. Example: You shuffle into the room, heart hammering. Today is the day everything changes. Pros: ✅ Super immersive (feels like a video game or choose-your-own-adventure!) ✅ Can be really powerful for short fiction or experimental styles Cons: ❌ Hard to maintain for an entire novel ❌ Some readers find it jarring or gimmicky 🧠 How to Choose the Right POV for Your Story Ask yourself:
✔ First Person = Deep character immersion ✔ Third Person Limited = Character-focused but slightly broader ✔ Third Person Omniscient = Big, sprawling storytelling ✔ Second Person = Intimate and experimental storytelling Personal Anecdote: When I wrote my first novel, I started in third person omniscient because I thought it sounded "literary." Spoiler alert: it was a hot mess. Once I switched to third-person limited, focusing on my heroine's point of view, the story immediately tightened up, and readers connected way better with her struggles. ⚡ Common POV Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
🎉 Wrapping It Up Choosing the right point of view is like picking the perfect pair of shoes for a long journey—you want it to fit your story's tone, character depth, and emotional impact. Whether you're whispering secrets in first person or weaving grand sagas through omniscient narration, make sure your POV serves your story, not vice versa. Key Takeaways: ✅ Pick a POV that fits your story's needs ✅ Stick to your chosen perspective consistently ✅ Let your narrator's "voice" shine through Now, over to you! What's your favourite POV to write in? Ever struggled with choosing the right one for a story? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear your thoughts and tips!
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Hey, fiction writers! Let's talk about something that makes readers groan, critics pounce, and editors sigh heavily into their coffee: plot holes. Yep, those sneaky little logic gaps that can turn a brilliant story into a hot mess faster than you can say continuity error.
Even the best writers slip up sometimes, but when plot holes go unchecked, they can absolutely wreck a good narrative. Don't worry—we'll unpack plot holes, explain why they matter, and show you how to spot (and fix!) them before your readers do. 💣 What's a Plot Hole, Anyway? A plot hole is basically a gap or inconsistency in the storyline that breaks the internal logic of your world. It's the part where readers go, "Wait... what?" or "That doesn't make any sense." There are different flavours of plot holes, but they all do one thing: pull readers out of the story. And once that magic's broken, it's hard to regain it. 🧨 How Plot Holes Can Wreck Your Story 1. They Break the Reader's Trust Readers are happy to believe in magic, talking animals, or space pirates—as long as your story plays by its own rules. But the second a character defies logic or the world contradicts itself? Game over. Example: Your story says your vampire characters can't go out in daylight. Cool. But then, in chapter 12, your protagonist vamps out for a midday picnic... without explanation. Boom. Plot hole. Your readers are now thinking about sunscreen logistics instead of your actual plot. 2. They Undermine Character Credibility If a character suddenly knows things they shouldn't, forgets important details, or makes decisions that go against everything you've told us about them—plot hole alert. Example: If your genius hacker forgets how to use a basic laptop because it's "convenient for the scene," readers will smell lazy writing a mile away. 3. They Break Tension and Ruin Payoffs Imagine building up an epic mystery, only to solve it with a clue that wasn't mentioned until five pages from the end. That's not a twist—that's cheating. Personal Anecdote: I once beta-read a story in which a character who'd been dead for 300 years just... came back. There was no explanation, no buildup, just "surprise, I faked it!" It killed the emotional weight of the previous chapters. I stopped caring. Don't be that plot. 🚫 Common Plot Hole Offenders
🛠️ How to Avoid Plot Holes in Your Fiction ✅ 1. Keep a Story Bible A "story bible" is just a fancy term for keeping track of your world's rules, timelines, character histories, etc. It doesn't need to be pretty—just accurate. It'll save you from the classic "Wait, didn't she have green eyes last chapter?" moment. ✅ 2. Ask Yourself: Would This Really Happen? Put yourself in your character's shoes. Dig deeper if their actions don't match their personality, skills, or emotional state. Example: Would your anxious, conflict-avoidant librarian really punch someone in the middle of a heated scene? Maybe. But you'd better build up to it properly if so! ✅ 3. Foreshadow Your Twists Twists are great—surprises are fun—but if you want them to land, you must lay the groundwork. Readers should be able to look back and say, "Ahh, I see it now." Not, "Where the heck did that come from?" ✅ 4. Get Beta Readers (Bless Them) Fresh eyes catch the stuff you've become blind to after draft 47. Ask your betas specifically: "Did anything not make sense?" or "Were there any moments where you were confused or pulled out of the story?" Trust me, they'll tell you. And you'll be glad they did—before a reviewer does. ✅ 5. Revise Ruthlessly Sometimes, you'll find a scene that only works because of a plot hole you hoped no one would notice. Don't let it slide. Fix it, rewrite it, or cut it. Your story will be stronger for it. Pro Tip: If you say, "Well, maybe the reader won't notice…"—they will. ✨ Wrapping It Up Plot holes might seem small, but they can create big problems. Readers want to believe in your story, but they also want it to make sense. You can spot those sneaky inconsistencies with care and attention before they sabotage your narrative. Quick Recap: ✅ Stay consistent with your world's rules ✅ Make sure characters act in believable ways ✅ Don't skip the setup for big reveals ✅ Keep track of your plot's logic ✅ Get second (and third!) opinions Great storytelling isn't about being perfect—it's about being believable. Even in a world full of dragons, spaceships, or cursed mirrors, your readers want to feel like it all fits together. No holes required. Do you have a favourite plot hole that made you laugh, cry, or throw a book across the room? Or one you caught and fixed in your own writing? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear your story! Hello, fiction writers! Let's talk about something easy to do but hard to undo--revealing plot elements too early. You know what I mean: that moment when you accidentally spill the beans about a big twist, secret, or turning point before the reader's ready. It's like revealing the killer on page ten of a murder mystery—oops, story ruined!
So, how do you avoid jumping the gun? How do you know when it's the right time to drop that juicy plot detail? Grab a coffee, and let's break it down—casual style, with examples, laughs, and tips to help keep your readers on the edge of their seats (and not snoozing through spoiled surprises). Why Premature Plot Reveals Are a Problem 1. It Kills Tension Tension is what keeps readers flipping pages. When you give away a big reveal too early, the tension evaporates like steam from a forgotten kettle. Readers lose that delicious sense of curiosity and start wondering, "Well... now what?" Example: If you reveal that the love interest is a vampire in chapter one, then what's left for chapter ten? The whole slow-burn, suspicious-glance, shadow-in-the-corner thing is gone. Poof. 2. It Robs Your Story of Momentum Great stories are like roller coasters—they build up, peak at the right moment, and give readers a wild, satisfying ride. If you reveal major plot elements too soon, it's like starting the roller coaster with the big drop. There's nowhere to go but flat. 3. It Makes Readers Feel Cheated Readers want to work for the good stuff. They like the puzzle pieces, the clues, the gut feelings. When a major reveal is handed over too easily, it feels unearned. Personal Anecdote: I once wrote a short story in which I revealed the twist on page two. A friend read it and said, "Cool concept, but you basically gave away the punchline before the setup." Ouch—but fair. I rewrote it so the reveal hit at the climax, and it worked way better. How to Time Plot Revelations Like a Pro ✅ 1. Build Suspense Before You Spill The longer you can keep readers wondering (without dragging it out too long), the more satisfying the payoff will be. Drop hints, use foreshadowing, and let them suspect, but don't confirm until the time is right. Example: Instead of announcing, "The queen was the traitor," let us see her doing shady things: late-night meetings, cryptic messages, nervous glances. When the reveal comes, readers go, "I knew it!" (Which is way more satisfying.) ✅ 2. Use Breadcrumbs, Not BouldersWhen you foreshadow, be subtle. Let your readers pick up on tiny clues rather than hitting them over the head with the information. Bad Example: Chapter One: "She had no idea that in just three days, her world would change forever." (Okay, thanks for the heads-up?) Better Example: Chapter One: "The letter sat unopened, its seal unfamiliar and wax still warm." (Ooh, what's that about?) ✅ 3. Match the Reveal to the Emotional ArcThink about your character's emotional state. Big reveals should occur when your characters—and your readers—are ready to handle them. Example: Don't reveal the character's tragic past in a romance right after the meet-cute. Wait until the relationship deepens and the stakes are higher. That's when it'll have maximum impact. ✅ 4. Ask: What Would Keep Readers Reading?If you're tempted to reveal something early, pause and ask: "What am I giving away here—and what am I getting in return?" If the answer is "not much," it might be better to hold off. Pro Tip: Treat plot elements like poker hands. Don't show your aces right away; play your cards when it really counts. Plot Reveal Timing Cheat Sheet (Plot Element -*- Reveal Timing Tip) Secret Identity -*- Midpoint or Climax – not Chapter One! Betrayal -*- After trust is fully established Big Twist -*- Near the climax – when it flips the narrative Hidden Motivation -*- Gradually, through actions & decisions Backstory Trauma -*- Sprinkle in pieces—don't info-dump Wrapping It Up Timing your plot reveals is part art, part craft, and part instinct. The key? Don't blow your best moments too early. Let your story unfold like a well-planned surprise party. Give readers a reason to stay curious, keep guessing, and lean in close for that "aha!" moment. Remember: it's not just what you reveal—it makes all the difference when you reveal it. So go ahead, be a little mysterious. Your readers will thank you for the ride. Do you have a story about a premature reveal (your own or someone else's)? Or a plot twist that blew your mind at the right moment? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear all about it! |
James Field
Talvik, Norway You can also Find me on 
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