Behind the Scenes: Choosing a Story's POV & Tense

When it comes to writing, one of the biggest decisions is choosing the point of view (POV) and tense. Each combination creates a unique experience for the reader, and the choice can shape how the story feels. For an author, it can be a tough decision especially since trends come and go—years ago, present tense was a big no-no but nowadays, it’s experiencing a surge of popularity.

Here I’ll break down two major POVs and tenses, although there are more considerations beyond these basic ones such as third person omniscient, limited, etc:

First Person POV puts you directly inside a character’s head. You feel every thought and emotion as if they were your own. But, it can be limiting since you’re only seeing the world through one character’s eyes.

Third Person POV offers a broader perspective. You can peek into multiple characters' thoughts or keep some mystery alive by staying focused on one. However, it can create a bit more distance between the reader and the characters.

Present Tense makes the story feel immediate and urgent. The action is happening right now. Yet, it can sometimes feel restrictive or exhausting for longer works.

Past Tense feels natural and timeless, like being told a story. It’s versatile and often less obtrusive but might lack the urgency of present tense.

After much deliberation, I landed on past tense, dual POV for most of my MF romances. This allows readers to connect deeply with both protagonists. For my reverse harem stories, I embraced multiple POVs to capture all the dynamics and emotions of the group relationships.

But I’m curious—do you have a strong preference when it comes to POV or tense? Leave a comment, or reply and let me know.

x,

Jade