Multiple perspectives

by Hamed Alqerawy
(Saudi Arabia )

Question: So ... I've been working on a story for quite some time now. I crafted a plot that satisfied me, made the characters as interesting as possible, and finally made what I considered a perfect ending.

The problem is ... There's really no such thing as a "protagonist" in my story. It would be more accurate to say that I have SIX main characters, and each one of them views the world in a different way than the others do. I had considered writing the story in the third person, but it turned out VERY badly. because one of the themes for the story was how people don't share the same opinion and see the world in their own way. And I also wanted to portray how the fear of death affects how characters think and act, in other words, I needed to give the reader a window to view all of the main characters' inner monologues and how they changed over time.

The question is : is it okay to write the story in the first person, and have "perspective shifts" in which the narrator is a changed ?

If so, should I inform the reader that the perspective just shifted so that they don't get confused ?

Thanks in advance :)

Answer: When you have multiple main characters, and write from multiple points of view, what you essentially do is create multiple stories within one novel.

A little technical background: Dramatica theory says that there are four throughlines to a complete story. These are...

The Overall throughline or main plot.
The Main Character throughline, which shows the arc of his/her inner conflict.
The Impact Character throughline, which shows the arc of the impact character's influence on the main character.
The Relationship throughline, which shows the arc of their relationship.

In novels told from multiple points of view, each POV character is the main character in his/her own story, and has a main character throughline. You may or may not develop the three other throughlines for each of these stories. Or you may just develop one of them and leave the others as partially-developed subplots. It's your choice.

In some multiple POV novels, the stories are so unconnected that the book feels more like an anthology of interwoven short stories. The only connecting element is that the characters cross paths now and then, or live in the same community, or perhaps are related (as in a multi-generational story).

In other novels, all the POV characters share one overall story throughline. (The challenge here is that, by definition, the main character's choice at the climax determines the outcome. So you have to decide who makes the choice or whether the outcome depends on every main character's choice.)

When your narration switches to a new point of view, it's very important that your reader knows right away the switch has happened. Readers always want to know whose viewpoint they are in. Generally its best to switch only at chapter breaks. At least mark the switch with some kind of clear break in the narrative. It also helps to orient the reader in the new point of view. Give information or clues right away. Each POV character should have a unique style of storytelling as well, to help the reader spot the switch.

Never switch points of view within a scene. It breaks the reader's illusion of being the main character.