Every writer knows the importance of perspective in storytelling. The point of view (POV) you choose shapes how readers experience your narrative, engage with your characters, and interpret your themes. But have you ever considered switching perspectives mid-story, rewriting a scene from another character’s eyes, or experimenting with an unconventional narrator? A fresh perspective can breathe new life into your story and unlock new dimensions of creativity.
As we celebrate the 4th day of Women’s History Month, this is also an opportunity to recognize and honor the many women writers who have used unique perspectives to tell powerful stories. From Toni Morrison’s deep character-driven narratives to Zora Neale Hurston’s vibrant storytelling in dialect, shifting point of view has been an essential tool in bringing diverse voices to life. Today, we’ll explore different types of POVs, how they can transform your storytelling, and how legendary women writers have used them to craft unforgettable works.
Understanding Point of View in Storytelling
Before we explore how to shift and experiment with perspective, let’s break down the most common types of point of view:
1st Person (I/Me/My) – The story is told from the perspective of a single character. This POV creates intimacy and allows readers to deeply connect with the protagonist’s thoughts and emotions.
Example: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou – A deeply personal, autobiographical novel told from Maya’s perspective, making readers feel every triumph and pain she experiences.
2nd Person (You/Your) – The narrator speaks directly to the reader, making them feel like they are part of the story. This is less common but powerful when done well.
Example: The Street by Ann Petry uses moments of direct address to pull readers into the emotional struggles of Black women in 1940s America.
3rd Person Limited (He/She/They) – The narrator focuses on one character’s thoughts and experiences, offering depth while maintaining some narrative distance.
Example: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison – The novel follows different characters but is often deeply centered on Pecola’s tragic experience, giving an emotionally rich yet controlled perspective.
3rd Person Omniscient (All-Knowing Narrator) – The narrator knows everything, including multiple characters’ thoughts and emotions, allowing for a broader understanding of the story’s world.
Example: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston – Uses an omniscient narrator while weaving in dialect and storytelling traditions, making the novel feel both personal and universal.
Unconventional POVs – Experimenting with perspectives such as multiple narrators, epistolary (letters, diary entries), or even inanimate objects can add uniqueness to your writing.
Example: A Mercy by Toni Morrison – Tells the story from multiple perspectives, allowing readers to see different versions of the same events, highlighting how experience shapes perception.
How POV Can Change a Story
1. The Power of First-Person Intimacy
Imagine reading Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl in anything other than first-person. The intimate, confessional nature of her narrative makes her pain and triumphs deeply personal, drawing readers into her experience.
💡 Try this exercise: Rewrite a key scene from your story in first-person. How does it change the emotional impact? Does it make the moment feel more urgent or personal?
2. Shifting Perspectives for a Richer Narrative
In Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing, the novel shifts between multiple first-person perspectives, allowing the reader to experience the struggles of a fractured family from different angles. This structure adds depth, tension, and understanding to the narrative.
💡 Try this exercise: Take an existing scene and rewrite it from another character’s POV. What does this character notice that the original narrator missed? Does it change the reader’s perception of the events?
3. The Boldness of Second-Person
Books like N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season use second-person narration to create a unique, immersive experience. The reader isn’t just observing the story—they are in it. This technique can be powerful in psychological thrillers or deeply personal narratives.
💡 Try this exercise: Write a paragraph in second-person and see how it changes the tone and engagement of your scene.
POV Experimentation in Women’s Literature
Toni Morrison – Playing with Perspective
Morrison’s books, such as Beloved, often shift between different character viewpoints and even different points in time. This approach allows readers to experience multiple truths and emotions, making the narrative layered and complex.
Octavia Butler – Unconventional Narrators
In Kindred, Butler combines first-person with historical fiction and sci-fi elements, making the reader experience the trauma of slavery through a contemporary character’s eyes.
Roxane Gay – Deep Character Introspection
In An Untamed State, the protagonist’s first-person perspective is interwoven with trauma and resilience, making the reader feel her pain, but also her strength.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Dual Perspectives
Half of a Yellow Sun uses multiple viewpoints to tell the story of war from different angles, highlighting how history is experienced differently depending on class, gender, and status.
How S.O.L.A.D.™ Uses POV to Deepen Storytelling
In my own writing, S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™, I had to make important choices about which perspectives to highlight. Some characters needed to tell their stories firsthand, allowing the reader to connect deeply with them. Others had to be seen from an external lens, creating mystery and intrigue. POV is a tool that allows writers to build depth, suspense, and connection, and it has been a fundamental part of shaping my narrative.
💡 Ask yourself: How does your POV choice affect how readers relate to your characters? Are there moments in your story where a shift in perspective might reveal something new?
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Experimentation
POV is one of the most powerful tools a writer has. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different voices, shift perspectives, and see how it changes your story. Some of the greatest works in literature have challenged traditional POV norms, giving us fresh, unforgettable experiences.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s take inspiration from the incredible women writers who have used POV shifts to amplify their voices and tell stories that demand to be heard.
🔹 What’s your favorite POV to write in? Have you ever experimented with changing perspectives? Share in the comments!
📖 Looking for a gripping, action-packed read? Check out my novel S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™. Autographed copies are available at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop. Dive into a world where courage, faith, and perspective shape the battle between light and darkness.
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