Switching between multiple POV (point-of-view) perspectives can be an amazing way to build your story world.
Ever thought about writing a story with multiple POVs? It’s a great way to give readers unique perspectives on the story world, much like how eyewitnesses see the same event differently. Shifting POVs lets readers explore different sides of the plot, characters, and setting, and can even build tension by revealing things one character doesn’t know. If you’re keen on using multiple POVs, writing prompts can be a great starting point. In this article, we’ll explore how to use prompts effectively and share some ideas for POV switching.
But first, it might be useful to talk about some rules of multiple POVs.
What is a POV?
POV, or point of view, in a story or book is simply the perspective from which the story is told. It’s like choosing whose eyes and mind the reader experiences the story through. For example, is the story being told by the main character, a narrator who knows everything, or different characters at different times? It’s an important choice because it affects how the reader connects with the story and characters.
Is It a Good Move to Change Pov in the Middle of a Story?
Whether it’s a good move depends on how it’s done. When done well—with clear transitions and distinct voices for each POV—it can make a story richer and more engaging. But if it’s confusing or switches too often without purpose, it might frustrate readers. The key is to make each POV switch meaningful and essential to the story.
Rules for Pov Switches in Stories
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Make the Switch Clear
Always signal a POV change clearly, either with a chapter break, scene break, or a visible marker like a line break. This helps readers understand the shift without confusion. -
Keep Voices Distinct
Each character should have a unique voice, way of thinking, and perspective. This makes it easy for readers to know whose POV they’re in without needing to be told explicitly. -
Avoid Head-Hopping
Don’t jump between multiple characters’ thoughts within the same scene. This “head-hopping” can confuse readers and break immersion. -
Switch with Purpose
Change POVs only when it adds value to the story—like revealing new information, showing another perspective, or creating tension. Random or unnecessary shifts can feel distracting. -
Stay Consistent
Stick to a predictable pattern if possible (e.g., alternating chapters or specific characters for specific parts). Consistency makes it easier for readers to follow the narrative flow. -
Use Scene or Chapter Breaks
Scene or chapter breaks are the best places to switch POVs. They give readers a natural pause to adjust to the new perspective.
Inkitt’s Suggestions for Your Future Story
When writing POV switches, it’s crucial to keep readers grounded in each character’s perspective and avoid frequent shifts within a single scene.
Rapidly jumping between characters’ thoughts, known as “head-hopping,” is widely discouraged and can lose reader interest. To maintain clarity, switch POVs at clear scene or chapter breaks. Many dual or multi-POV stories alternate chapters for each perspective, and while omniscient narration is an option, it also requires careful handling to prevent confusion.
How prompts can help you switch POVs
Writing a multi-POV story is challenging because it requires more than just switching viewpoints—each character needs a distinct voice. For example, an old man and his twenty-year-old grandson should think, see the world, and narrate differently.
Whether you plan your story or discover it as you go, it’s important to know each character’s journey and arc, as these shape their decisions and reactions. Writing prompts can be a great tool to develop your characters and dive into their unique perspectives. With that in mind, here are some prompts to get you started!
Pov-switching Prompts
With all of these, I would encourage you to pick one POV and start writing from it. Then choose someone else (either as inspired by the prompt itself, or someone in the story you write) and write the same or an adjoining scene from that new character’s perspective.
- Start your story with the phrase, “The first time I met my father…”
- Write about a mysterious object being dug up from the sand.
- Write a story about a couple who can’t agree about a paint color.
- Set your story on a boat in the middle of the ocean.
- Start your story in a storm, with the power out.
- Write a story about a character who can’t go home for some reason.
- Visualize a red heart-shaped box and make it a key object in your story.
- Set your story in a town of people who are all hiding a big secret.
How to Best Use Writing Prompts
Writing prompts are a great starting point to spark creativity, but don’t feel tied to them—straying into new ideas is perfectly fine (unless you’re following contest rules). Prompts can inspire anything from flash fiction to a full novel, so let the story flow naturally. If one doesn’t click, move on to another—writing with prompts should be fun! Approach them with a unique perspective, and draw inspiration from unexpected combinations, like C.S. Lewis did with a lamppost in a fantasy.
Explore prompts in various forms, including visuals like photos and artwork, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
To see how one of our Inkitt authors dealt with switching POVs, check out Sapir Englard’s The Millennium Wolves and His Haze available on Galatea!
