Kelly Scott

An Interview with Joanna Davidson Politano on 1st Person POV

Are you an aspiring writer/author who wants to learn more about the craft of writing? (Do you see me raising my hand?)

Then this post is for you!

I’ve decided to try to interview authors on certain elements of their writing. As a wannabe writer myself, when I sat down to write my first manuscript the words that flowed out were in 1st person point of view (POV). Third person POV is more commonly used. Personally, I like first person POV but when I presented my story to a critique group I was met with opposition. Some readers may love first person and some may not. I think the key is that if you can write 1st person POV well then you shouldn’t have any opposition.

I had the opportunity to dialogue with Lena Nelson Dooley about my story. Was the first person POV working?

She immediately walked over to her kitchen table, piled high with books she’d been sent to read and review, and dug out “Lady Jayne Disappears” by Joanna Davidson Politano. “Read this,” she said. “And see how she tackled 1st person.” (paraphrasing our conversation)

And, oh my, she did!

Which resulted in me giving Joanna a shout-out on how well the book was written.

Which also led me to ask her if she would be willing to answer my questions on the specific topic of writing in 1st person. She said yes!

So, without further ado, here is Joanna:

1. Why did you choose to write in first person for the female protagonist?

Several reasons I chose a first person POV–it was the best fit for this story and heroine, and it was my most natural writing voice.
In Lady Jayne Disappears, some of the heroine’s biggest tension was internal. She was keeping a secret while observing how close everyone else was to guessing it. I needed to show readers her thoughts to up the stakes. Beyond that, I’m writing about a heroine who is a lot like me–she’s a writer who just loves stories. Because the heroine is so much like me, writing her story in first person was like just sitting down and relating a story to a friend. It was natural and easy and authentic.

2. How were you able to make this deep POV? (In my opinion you succeeded!)

Well thank you! Making this deep POV required really getting to know my character–her voice, thoughts, observations, way of living. It meant unearthing her authentic voice and letting it carry the story. I once heard of an actor who would prepare for a role by walking around town AS the character–costume and all. He perfected the character’s walk, facial expression, tone of voice, how they interacted with the world–everything. Writing in deep POV is much like that. You slip into the skin of your character and live as them. Deep POV is just deep characterization–you have to know your character very well to make it work and keep consistent through your whole story. Forget that you’re writing the story, or that you as the author are even involved. You are merely giving voice to someone else’s thoughts and experiences so other people can witness it. The reader should not be focused on how pretty your wording is–they should be worried about and rooting for this “person” (your character) opening up and telling them their story.
Another thing that helps is finding music that fits the tone of my character (and listening with headphones as you write to really sink into their world). There’s a cartoon movie I saw as a kid called Peter and the Wolf. There was no talking, but each character had an instrument associated with them that fit their personality, and when they were headlining in the scene or “speaking,” their instrument began to play. That’s an excellent example of having music that emulates a character! I also find online images of actors or actresses that fit my characters so I can picture them. Sometimes I even watch movies these people are in to capture things like voice inflection, little quirks, etc. I imagine my character is real and let her actions play out like a film reel and just write down what she says and what she’s doing.

3. I once heard an agent say that first person is not his favorite to read. Is it readily accepted in Christian fiction? If not, was it easily accepted for you? Any advice for others who want to write in first person?

Honestly, there are people who hate first person POV books. Third person POV is most commonly accepted, but there are definitely people who will not read books written in first person. Many of those people, however, often admit that they’ll read first person books that are well done! Most can even name a few good ones that changed their minds.
As for being accepted for me, yes! I first wrote the story in third person and hated it. I had written another book in third and never got a contract with it. When I wrote my debut in first, however, I had three offers from agents and soon three from publishers.
My advice? Write what is natural for you and what fits with your story. Only you and God know that, and don’t ever be dissuaded by what isn’t popular or what MIGHT hurt your chances of publication. God’s bigger than any trend, and if you are authentically following your call to write, it’ll happen. He’ll make sure of it. Some people may dislike my books because they’re in first person, but there would be lots more who disliked my books if I wrote them in a style not natural to me. Understand that you’ll never please everybody, so don’t change your writing just because a few people have told you they will not read books in first person. Your only job is to write and write well–whatever that looks like for you.
Thank you Joanna! To find out more info about the author you can find her here: https://jdpstories.com/.

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