When it comes to writing a thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, utilizing dual points of view (POV) can be incredibly effective.
If done right, it adds depth to the narrative and allows readers to engage with the story from multiple perspectives.
In this blog post, we delve into the insights shared by bestselling thriller author Liz Alterman during her recent interview on the Thriller 101 podcast, hosted by David Gwyn.
We’ll cover the following key areas, providing you with actionable tips and strategies to master Dual POV in your thriller, suspense, or mystery:
1. Why Use Multiple POVs
2. Crafting Distinctive Voices
3. Structuring Your Timeline with Dual POV
4. Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated
5. How to Make Sure You Got It Right
1. Understanding the Appeal of Multiple POVs
Multiple points of view are a staple in genres like thrillers, mysteries, suspense, and crime fiction.
Readers love experiencing the narrative from different perspectives, which adds complexity and richness to the story. They want multiple angles on the same narrative.
So whether you’re writing something that has multiple points of view now or not, you probably will if you write long enough in these genres.
Incorporating multiple POVs allows thriller writers to build suspense and keep readers guessing.
2. Crafting Distinctive Voices
One of the crucial aspects of writing dual POV novels is ensuring each character has a unique and distinctive voice.
Liz Alterman explains, “Corey kind of came to me because she is more sarcastic and her outlook on the world is rather bleak and rightly so… Laurel loves her children but is tired and a new mom in a new town.”
Some voices will come to you more easily than others. That’s normal! Ensure you’re leaning into a character’s voice when you have a good handle on it and do your best to build character voice for the other points of view.
Here are some practical tips for creating distinctive voices that are particularly useful in getting a grasp on those tricky characters you don’t feel like you have a handle on:
- Character Backgrounds: Develop detailed backstories for each character to understand their motivations, fears, and desires.
- Voice Consistency: Ensure that the language, tone, and expression of each character remain consistent throughout the novel.
- Feedback: Share your work with trusted critique partners to get feedback on whether the voices are distinct enough.
3. Structuring Your Timeline
When writing dual POVs, maintaining a coherent timeline can be challenging.
Getting a timeline right can be one of the hardest things you do. Will they overlap in time? What happens simultaneously? And beyond that, how do you structure those character arcs?
These can all make your thriller into a set of puzzle pieces that don’t seem like they fit together. However, there are some things you can do to ensure you’re on the right track!
Liz Alterman shares, “I was very cognizant of the time frame, that if something happened in Laurel’s world on a Tuesday, when we visit Corey, I need it to be, let’s say, Thursday or Saturday.”
To structure your timeline effectively:
- Planning: Use a timeline or outline to keep track of key events in each character’s story.
- Consistency: Regularly check for inconsistencies in dates and events during the revision process.
- Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust scenes and timelines during editing to ensure coherence.
4. Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated
Writing a thriller, especially with dual POVs, comes with its own set of challenges.
Alterman admits, “Writing her scenes were a little more challenging because I also wanted to kind of balance that she wasn’t such a downer.”
To overcome these challenges:
- Set Goals: Establish clear writing goals and deadlines to keep yourself motivated.
- Switch Perspectives: If you’re stuck with one character, switch to another and keep the momentum going.
- Enjoy the Process: Remember why you love storytelling and try to find joy in the writing journey.
5. Seeking Feedback and Collaborative Writing
Joining a writing group can be incredibly beneficial for keeping you accountable and providing valuable feedback.
Alterman recommends you, “Join a writing group if you can because I think, especially, I’m so guilty of this myself. I tell myself I’m going to write, and so many other things get in the way.”
To leverage the power of feedback:
- Writing Groups: Participate in writing workshops or find a meetup group of fellow writers.
- Critique Partners: Partner with writers who can offer honest and constructive feedback.
- Iterative Process: Use feedback to refine your characters and story, ensuring each POV is well-developed.
Conclusion
Writing thrillers with dual points of view can significantly enhance your storytelling by adding layers of complexity and suspense.
By understanding the appeal, crafting distinctive voices, maintaining a coherent timeline, overcoming challenges, and seeking feedback, you can master the art of dual POV in your thriller.
