Point of View

Point of View is a huge issue in the fiction-writing world. When I started writing three years ago, I didn't even know what it was. Over the last few years, I have learned that as well as many other writing "rules" or opinions or what-ever-you-want-to-call-them. But the more I learn about POV, the more layers and depth to it I realize there is. I'll start with a simple definition.

Point of View (POV): The perspective a story is told from. (i.e. Who's eyes are we seeing the world through?)

Callista stood at the window and stared at the white world outside, marveling how the sun brought out so many dazzling colors despite the stark black and white simplicity. The shape of a man emerged from the garage and began his slow trip across the yard. Soon, he was climbing the backsteps and pushing open the old farmhouse door. "The truck won't start. I'll have to hitch up old Bessie."
Callista shivered and stepped back as the frigid air gripped her ankles with icy fingers. Joe looked like a snow man, complete with icicles on his dark mustache. But he was still beautiful to her. She rested a hand on her rounded belly.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll be back soon."
Callista bit her lip, then nodded. Reaching out, she wrapped her arms around him, snow-covered coat and all. If he said he'd be back soon with the supplies, he would.

Joe tried the key one more time. The stubborn engine whined a few times, then sputtered to a halt. Leaning his head against the steering wheel, he sat for a few moments listening to the sound of water dripping from the tailpipe.
He sighed deeply, allowing himself a short moment of weakness. What was he going to do? Callista was due any day now and he knew she trusted him implicitly to take care of her and make sure she was safe.
He straightened his shoulders, refusing to give up. Callista needed him and he would do his best to be strong for her.
He trudged through the snow to the house, smiling when he saw her watching from the window.
"The truck won't start. I'll have to hitch up old Bessie."
Her light blue eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."
The uncertainty faded until her eyes were familiar pools of peace and trust. They'd always reminded him of the ocean on a calm day. As she enfolded him in her delicate arms, he rested his chin on her shoulder and prayed that everything really would be all right.

In the first example, we are firmly in Callista's head, or POV. We see the scene the way she sees it, we think her thoughts, we feel what she feels.

In the second example, we experience the same scene from Joe's POV. We feel his frustration, think his thoughts right along with him.

Two different perceptions of the same events. Two different POVs.

When it comes to POV, there are different terms and definitions, which I will describe in detail in later posts:

Head-hopping
Deep POV
Omniscient POV
Multiple POV
Limited POV
How to decide which character's POV to write a scene in
POV transitions

POV is, in my opinion, one of the most important elements in writing. The author should have a complete mastery and understanding of it to write effectively for today's market. It takes time and practice until you can manipulate POV effectively, but it is worth it. A masterful and skillful use of POV can add sparkle, depth, and realism to your work, and helps you create an emotional bond with the reader.