As a new author diving into storytelling, you've likely never wrestled with the question: which point of view (POV) should I choose?

If you’re anything like me, when I started writing, I gravitated to one POV (the one used by the authors I enjoyed reading) and emulated their style. You stuck with that POV and hadn’t given it a second thought … until you took a writing class to learn how POV is used.

That’s when you learned POV is a technical decision — a tool that shapes how readers connect with your characters and experience their emotional journeys. Pick the wrong one, and your story might feel distant or disjointed. Pick the right one, and readers will be glued to your every word.

The Role of the Narrator

A narrator in a story is the voice or persona through which the story is told. The narrator provides information about characters, events, and settings, shaping how the story is presented and understood. The narrator can be a character in the story, an outside observer, or even an abstract, omniscient presence.

The narrator plays a critical role in shaping:

• Perspective. The narrator determines what the reader knows and sees.
  
  

• Tone and Voice. The narrator influences the emotional and stylistic feel of the story.
  
  

• Reliability. The narrator dictates whether the reader can trust the information presented.
  
  

• Connection. The narrator affects how closely the reader relates to the characters or events.
  
  

One of the more critical technical concerns in writing fiction is the question, “Who will be the narrator?” The narrator is not just the storyteller but also a lens through which the story is interpreted. Your story may have anywhere from one, three, eight, or seventy characters. Which character, however, is the best suited to tell your story? Whose story is this, and how should it be told? How much should the narrator know and be capable of relating to the reader?

• Limited narrators constrain the reader’s knowledge to just one character’s perspective, heightening tension and fostering empathy.
  
  

• Omniscient narrators can explore multiple characters' thoughts, histories, and motivations, creating a broader and more dynamic narrative.

This choice relates to whether the story feels personal, expansive, focused, or sprawling, but it can also convey its overall tone.

• A sarcastic narrator like Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye) infuses the story with humor and cynicism.
  
  

• A detached, objective narrator (like a reporter) can lend an almost journalistic tone to the narrative.
  
  

• A child narrator might highlight themes of innocence or the unreliability of perception.
  
  

• An omniscient, otherworldly narrator might explore existential themes by juxtaposing characters’ inner struggles with a broader cosmic view.

Some narrators go hand-in-hand with the genre. Examples:

• The noir narrator. The narrator for a noir story is typically characterized by a gritty, hard-boiled, world-weary perspective infused with cynicism, sharp wit, and a jaded view of humanity. This narrator embodies the tone and atmosphere of the genre, which is often shadowy, morally ambiguous, and steeped in tension. The reader expects this narrator to be present if you're writing a noir; your POV choices are limited. "It was the kind of night that wrapped itself around you like a cheap suit — tight, uncomfortable, reeking of regret.”
  
  

• The Gothic horror narrator. The Gothic narrator often carries a deep sense of sorrow or emotional turmoil. They may be haunted by personal loss, guilt, or existential dread. Let’s lay it on thick with, “The shadows in the room seemed alive, whispering the secrets of a past I could not escape, though I had tried with every ounce of my failing will.”
  
  

• The epic fantasy narrator (my favorite!). This narrator’s tone often carries an elevated, almost reverential quality, reflecting the importance of the story’s events in a vast, interconnected world. This narrator usually has a sweeping view of the world and its history but may focus closely on the perspectives of key characters. “Long before the stars were named and the mountains bore their crowns of snow, the fate of kingdoms was written in blood and fire.”
  
  

Finally, there’s the question of reliability — how much we should trust the narrator and what they tell us.

• The reliable narrator is honest about the events they experience. They’re honest about the story, the characters, and the events.
  
  

• An unreliable narrator isn’t as straightforward. They may deliberately try to misdirect the reader's understanding of the story. An unreliable narrator may have lost credibility due to ignorance, poor insight, personal biases, mistakes, or dishonesty.

Choosing the right narrator is a cornerstone of storytelling. The narrator determines what is told, how it’s told, and why it matters. This choice affects every narrative aspect, from the plot’s structure to the reader’s emotional engagement.

However, where the choice of narrator determines who tells the story, the choice of POV defines how the story is told. They jointly shape the narrative scope, tone, and the reader’s emotional connection with the story.

The POV Rundown

First-Person (1P) POV: This is the "I" perspective. The narrator is a character in the story, using pronouns like "I," "me," and "we." First-person drops readers directly into the character’s head. It’s perfect for stories driven by voice and raw emotion. However, you’re limited to what the character knows and experiences — no bounding into other heads or unseen events. You’re restricted to what the POV character sees, feels, and experiences. There are two types of 1P:

• First-Person Central: The narrator is the protagonist. “I walked into the room and immediately felt uneasy.”
  
  

• First-Person Peripheral: The narrator is a side character observing the story. They may witness the events of a story but aren’t the main character. “I’d always admired Gabriel from a distance, watching as he navigated the city with a confidence I could never muster. He never knew I existed, but when he stepped into that dark alley, I followed and saw him draw the blade—sharp, gleaming, and deadly.”
  
  

Second-Person (2P) POV: Rarely used but highly immersive, second-person addresses the reader as "you." Example:

“You step into the dark alley, and footsteps echo behind you.”

The narrator addresses the reader directly, using pronouns like "you" and "your." It can pull readers into a character’s skin like a “Choose Your Own Adventure,” but it risks feeling gimmicky if it isn’t handled carefully.

Third-Person (3P): The narrator is outside the story and refers to all characters using third-person pronouns like "he," "she," "they," or "it." There are three types of 3P:

• Third-Person Limited: A specific type of third-person narration where the narrator focuses on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of one character at a time. You can describe the character’s thoughts and emotions in detail while maintaining narrative flexibility. This makes it a popular choice for emotional journeys. “Sophia hesitated, her heart pounding as she stared at the locked door. She had no idea what was waiting behind it, but the faint whispers made her blood run cold.”
  

• Third-Person Objective (My Usual Choice): Here, the narrator observes and describes the story's events without accessing any character’s internal thoughts, feelings, or motivations. The narrator acts as a neutral, unbiased observer, reporting only what can be seen, heard, or inferred from external actions and dialogue. The narrator does not interpret, explain, or provide insight into the inner workings of the characters’ minds; the narration is strictly limited to observable details. “Sarah stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. She hesitated, glancing at the clock on the wall. The man sitting at the desk didn’t look up. She cleared her throat, and he finally raised his head, his expression unreadable. ‘You’re late,’ he said.”
  
  

• Third-Person Omniscient (3PO): The narrator is all-knowing, with the ability to access the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of multiple characters. While it allows for broad storytelling, it’s less effective at creating a deep emotional connection with one character. “Evelyn smiled, though her heart was heavy with doubt. Across the room, Robert watched her, convinced her smile was meant for someone else. Unbeknownst to either of them, the letter that would change their lives forever was already on its way, carried by a messenger through the stormy night.”

Stream of Consciousness POV: A narrative style that presents a character's thoughts, feelings, and sensory impressions in a free-flowing, often disjointed manner. It creates a deep, intimate connection with the character's inner world, but may be difficult for the reader to follow. “The clock ticks, louder, louder—why is it so loud?—her breath catches, a tangle of whispers in her mind.”

Epistolary POV: The story is told through letters, journal entries, emails, or other documents. Dracula by Bram Stoker is written as a series of journal entries and letters. This POV creates immediacy and realism and allows multiple perspectives, but it can feel fragmented or disjointed if inappropriately integrated.

Framed Narrative POV: A story within a story, often with a narrator recounting events that occurred to them or someone else. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley uses a framed narrative structure, adding depth and layers to the story and allowing for multiple narrative voices. But a box within a box can be confusing.

The Problem of Emotional Distance

So, let’s play these structures out.

Your story’s central conflict revolves around surviving an abusive relationship (Person vs. Person). Your protagonist will experience wrenching emotions and heartbreak in a story exploring themes such as intimacy vs betrayal, the loss of trust, and the importance of agency and self-love. The emotional stakes are clear: despite the harm inflicted upon her by a lover, she must persevere and thrive or risk wallowing in self-pity, missing an opportunity to grow. You want the reader to empathize with the character’s feelings and feel their struggle. You want the readers to feel an ache in their chest, a lump in their throat.

• Choice of Narrator. Well, it’s not going to be the ex. It’s not likely to be your character’s best friend. Your best choice is the character who’ll be experiencing those emotions. Writing standard fiction, you’re not limited to a specific tone, but you do want the reader to trust your narrator and their lived experiences.

• Choice of POV. 3P Omniscient or Objective isn’t the way to go; both are too detached. 2P would shift focus to the reader and their suffering, which wouldn’t make any sense. A Stream of Consciousness, Epistolary, or 1P Peripheral might offer a unique, compelling POV (more oranges!) that could add layers of narrative complexity, but a straightforward 1P Central or 3PL will be your best choice.

• Choosing the Right POV. So, after narrowing down our choices of narrator and possible POVs, let’s compare the POVs we’re considering in the context of emotional impact:

There it is. Probably 1P Central.

Striking the right balance is key.

Ask yourself:

• How much do I want the reader to know or feel?

• Do I need the reader to experience events as the character does?

• Is my story more about personal emotion or larger themes? Is locking yourself in to just one character the right way to explore those themes?

Experiment and Play

Although some say stories should never be told in 2P, or warn authors from 3PO because it can’t be used “effectively,” there’s no correct, right answer, only the best fit for your story. Don’t be afraid to rewrite a scene from different POVs to see what clicks. You might be surprised at how a shift from third-person to first-person breathes life into your character.

Ultimately, choosing the right POV isn’t just a technical decision; it’s an emotional one. It’s about making readers feel every heartbreak, triumph, and quiet moment of reflection, but it’s also about who you connect with most as an author. So take a deep breath, dive in, play, and let your characters guide your way.

R