The Pros and Cons of Writing A Novel With Multiple Points of View

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Have you ever read a novel that seamlessly shifted between different character perspectives, giving you a panoramic view of the story world that left you in awe? Or perhaps you've attempted to write a multi-POV story yourself, only to end up with a confusing jumble of voices that didn't quite work together?

If you're nodding your head to either scenario, you're in the right place.

As a developmental editor and book coach, I've worked with countless writers who've wondered if multiple POVs are right for their stories. It's a significant decision that will shape every aspect of your novel—from structure to pacing to character development.

Writing a novel with multiple points of view is one of the most challenging (and potentially rewarding) approaches to storytelling. When done well, it creates a rich, immersive experience for readers. When done poorly, it can leave both you and your readers feeling frustrated and confused.

In this post, I'll break down exactly what it means to write a multiple POV novel, how it differs from other narrative approaches, and the key benefits and challenges you'll face. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether multiple POVs are the right choice for your story.

What Is Multiple POV Writing in Fiction?

Before we dive into the pros and cons, let's clarify what we're talking about.

Writing a novel with multiple point-of-view characters means telling a story from the perspective of two or more characters and then weaving their individual stories together by alternating their viewpoints.

These viewpoints can be written in several ways:

• All in third-person limited
• All in first-person
• Or a combination of both

Think of books like Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo with its ensemble cast, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn with its dueling narrators, or Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin with its sprawling range of point of view characters.

Related: How To Choose The Best POV For Your Story

How Multiple POV Differs from Omniscient POV

It's important to understand that multiple POV stories are not the same as those written in third-person omniscient, although both techniques allow you to show more than one character's perspective.

The key difference lies in how each of these options handles character interiority—the inner thoughts and emotions of your characters.

• In third-person omniscient (like in Dune, Pride and Prejudice, or The Name of the Wind), readers can see the inner thoughts and emotions of any character at any time. One sentence might reveal the hero's escape plan, while the very next could show what the antagonist is thinking—all in the same paragraph or scene.
  
  
• In multiple POV stories (like Harry Potter, Six of Crows, or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue), readers can only see the inner thoughts and emotions of one character at a time—the POV character for that scene or chapter. Even if another POV character is present in the scene, we only experience it through the current POV character's perspective.

This distinction is crucial because it impacts how you'll structure your story and craft your scenes. With multiple character perspectives, you're creating separate windows into your story world, each with its own unique view, rather than an all-seeing eye that can float freely between characters.

The Benefits of Writing A Novel With Multiple POVs

Now that we understand what multiple POV writing is, let's explore why you might choose this storytelling approach. Here are five significant benefits:

PRO #1: Multiple POVs Can Create Depth and Complexity

Telling a story from multiple POVs allows you to explore your subjects, settings, themes, and moral gray areas from a wider variety of perspectives. By giving different characters opposing viewpoints, you can create a more nuanced understanding of your story world and the conflicts within it.

Think about George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series—the complexity of the political landscape and the moral ambiguity of the world come alive precisely because we see it through so many different eyes, each with their own biases and limited understanding.

Multiple character perspectives also help readers get to know different characters' voices and backstories, which is especially useful in stories with intersecting storylines. When readers understand the motivations driving each character, their eventual collision becomes all the more impactful.

PRO #2: Different Perspectives Can Help You Build Suspense 

One of the most powerful aspects of multiple POV storytelling is the ability to create dramatic irony—situations where the reader knows something a character doesn't.

You might choose the POV of a secondary character who doesn't have all the information that another character has. Their curiosity or confusion can guide readers to ask the questions you want them to ask. Or perhaps your main character knows something critical that you don't want readers to learn yet—switching to another character's POV allows you to withhold that information in a plausible way.

This technique creates tension and keeps readers turning the page. For example, in a thriller like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, the alternating POVs build suspense as readers try to determine which character is telling the truth.

PRO #3: Contrasting Viewpoints Can Help You Reveal Unreliable Narrators

If your story includes an unreliable narrator, multiple POVs can be an excellent tool for gradually revealing this unreliability. By switching to another character's perspective later in the story, you can show cracks in the first character's version of events.

This approach can lead to powerful "aha" moments for readers as they realize they've been seeing a distorted version of reality. Not only does this create an exciting plot twist, but it also adds depth to character development as readers understand why a character might perceive or present events inaccurately.

For example, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins uses this technique brilliantly, revealing how alcohol affects the protagonist's memories and perceptions by contrasting her account with other characters' perspectives.

PRO #4: Multiple Viewpoints Allow You to Tell Sprawling, Epic Stories

Some stories are so expansive—spanning multiple locations, time periods, or social circles—that they simply can't be effectively told through a single perspective. Multiple POV writing is perfect for these sprawling narratives.

If there isn't enough happening in one storyline to carry an entire novel, you can use additional interesting characters or timelines to flesh out the story. This approach allows you to create a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives that converge in satisfying ways.

For example, epic fantasy series like Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive or historical fiction like Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See rely on multiple POVs to capture the scope of their worlds and conflicts.

PRO #5: Multiple Characters Help You Create Deeper Emotional Connections with Readers

Multiple POVs allow readers to form emotional connections with several characters rather than just one protagonist. When readers experience a story through multiple perspectives, they develop a deeper investment in more characters and their outcomes.

This approach builds stronger empathy in readers as they come to understand conflicting viewpoints and motivations from the inside. Not only that, but the emotional stakes also intensify when the characters readers care about come into conflict with each other. Instead of simply rooting for one protagonist against an antagonist, readers feel torn between characters they've connected with, creating a richer, more complex reading experience.

For example, Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds and Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere use multiple POVs to explore complex family dynamics and generate profound emotional impact.

The Challenges of Writing A Novel With Multiple POVs

While multiple POV narratives offer significant benefits, they also come with unique challenges. Here are the potential drawbacks you should consider:

CON #1: Each Character Voice Requires Development

One of the biggest challenges in multiple POV writing is creating and maintaining distinctive voices for each character. Each POV character must have their own unique way of seeing the world, speaking, and thinking—a challenge that multiplies with each perspective you add.

If your characters end up sounding too similar, readers will struggle to connect with them as individuals and may become confused about whose perspective they're reading. Creating these distinct voices requires deep character development work and consistent execution throughout your manuscript.

CON #2: It’s Easy to Head-Hop & This Creates Confusion and Weakens Reader Connection

Multiple POV writing requires strict discipline to avoid "head-hopping"—jumping between different characters' thoughts within a single scene. This creates a jarring experience for readers and weakens the intimacy they feel with each character.

Maintaining clear boundaries between perspectives is essential but can be difficult, especially in emotionally charged scenes where you might be tempted to show everyone's reactions. Learning when and how to switch perspectives appropriately is a skill that takes practice to master.

CON #3: Point of View Transitions Can Disrupt Story Flow If Not Handled Skillfully

Every time you switch from one POV character to another, there's a risk of disrupting the flow of your story. Readers must mentally shift gears, which can pull them out of the narrative if not handled smoothly.

To avoid this happening in your story, you’ll need to establish clear patterns for when POV shifts occur (typically at chapter or scene breaks) and ensure that each shift feels purposeful rather than random. This requires careful planning of your story structure from the outset.

CON #4: Characters Get Less Page Time in Multiple POV Stories

With multiple POV characters, each one gets less page time than they would in a single-POV novel. This means you have less space to develop each character's arc, motivations, and growth.

Finding the right balance of page time for each character can be tricky. Some readers might become frustrated if they have to wait too long to return to their favorite perspective, while others might find certain POVs less engaging and be tempted to skim those sections.

CON #5: Multiple POVs Often Create Longer Books That Can Be Harder to Sell

Multiple POV novels tend to be longer than single-POV stories because you're essentially telling multiple interconnected stories. This increased length and complexity can make them harder to sell, especially for debut authors.

The publishing industry often favors tighter, more focused narratives for new writers. If you're writing a first novel with commercial publication in mind, the added complexity of multiple POVs might be a factor to consider.

Is Multiple POV Right for Your Story?

After weighing the pros and cons, how do you decide if multiple POVs are right for your particular story? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Does your story truly require multiple perspectives? Could it be told effectively from a single viewpoint, or would that limit its impact?
2. Do you have the patience and skill to develop multiple fully-realized characters? Are you ready to create distinct voices and arcs for each POV character?
3. Is your story complex enough to warrant multiple POVs? Does it involve separate storylines, conflicting agendas, or events happening simultaneously in different locations?
4. Does your genre typically support multiple POVs? Some genres, like epic fantasy, thrillers, and romance, often use multiple POVs successfully.
5. Will multiple POVs enhance the themes and emotional impact of your story? Or might they dilute the focus and connection to your main character?

Be honest with yourself about your answers. Remember that there's no universally "better" approach—only the approach that best serves your particular story.

Final Thoughts

Writing a novel with multiple POVs is undoubtedly challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding when it's the right choice for your story. 

The rich, layered narratives you can create by weaving together different perspectives can captivate readers and bring depth to your story that might not be possible with a single viewpoint.

If you do decide to pursue a multiple POV approach, remember that it requires careful planning, deep character development, and disciplined execution. 

Take time to study successful multiple POV novels in your genre to understand how other authors have navigated these challenges effectively.

And most importantly, trust your creative instincts. If your story is calling for multiple perspectives, honor that impulse! Just make sure to give yourself the time and tools needed to execute it effectively.