How to spot POV shifts when revising and refining your novel

Shifting points of view (POV) too frequently in a novel can be confusing and disorienting for the reader, making it difficult for them to engage with the story. However, it may be difficult for you to spot this problem on your own since you yourself are so fully immersed in the story. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to get outside feedback on your novel manuscript during the evaluation stage of the writing process.

The first step you should take when revising and refining your manuscript with your attention turned to POV is to review the outside feedback that you have received to identify specific places in the story where your reviewer(s) noted that they were confused or where the story lost their attention. The following is a list of signs that the point of view in your story is shifting too much:

1. Confusion: If your beta readers, critique partners, or developmental editor are consistently confused about who is speaking or whose thoughts and emotions they are following, this may be a sign that your POV shifts are too frequent or abrupt.
2. Lack of consistency: If your novel switches between different POVs without a consistent pattern or reason, this may be a sign that you are shifting POV too much. A clear and consistent POV structure can help the reader follow the story more easily.
3. Loss of engagement: If your readers are having trouble connecting with your characters or becoming invested in the story, this may be a sign that your POV shifts are disrupting their immersion and engagement.
4. Lack of focus: If your novel is shifting POV too frequently, it can be difficult to maintain a consistent focus on the central plot or theme. This can make the story feel disjointed or unfocused.

If you suspect that your novel may be shifting POV too much, try reading through it with a critical eye and paying attention to the above signs. You may also consider working with a writing coach or editor who can help you identify and address issues with your POV structure.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

Check out my new novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!

Book Summary

When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.