I. Am. Stuck.

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So, a while ago I decided to take a break from screenwriting and work on this YA idea that wouldn't leave my head. For the first time in my life, I did a detailed outline of characters, some dialogue, and few plot points.

I have three main teenage girl characters. Each one has a big problem.I was planning on writing the 1st and 3rd girl in first person and the 2nd girl through a video she takes. I want them all to become friends, but it's harder than I thought switching between the girls' stories.

I'm just thinking out loud here, but wondering if I should just do the story through the first girl's eyes only. I'm just not sure if the other two girls' stories are too big to be side characters.

Or maybe I should just write each girls story then put them together.

See why I'm so stuck? Any suggestions, support, advice or chocolate from other writers would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

Raine Chasing said…
I can probably provide the chocolate. :) Great idea though. I do like the idea of writing each girl's story and putting it together (have each girl meet the other in each others story.) Did that make any sense?
May 4, 2010 at 2:53 PM
Unknown said…
The YA novel I’m currently querying has two POV characters. It’s tricky to do well, and you need to decide whose story you are trying to tell. If you want to look at some other YA novels with multiple POV characters here are a few that come to mind. I feel like there are more, but can’t think of any others off the top of my head.

When it Happens by Susanne Colasanti
Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List by Rachel Coln and David Levithan
Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner

There are also a lot of books written in 3rd person close with multiple POV characters. That POV strategy is common in thrillers but transcends to many other adult contemporary titles. Also most adult romance novels have both the male and female leads as 1st person POV characters.

Several of Barbara Kingsolvers books weave several distict storylines with different POV characters together.

Good luck
May 4, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Natalie said…
I tried to write my first book using alternating POVs (I had 3 teenage girls too). It was too confusing for me. I think alternating POVs can be great (I just finished The Help, which was AMAZING), but I think they're harder to do than they look.

I eventually put that project aside and started a different project with just one POV character. It was so much easier to write.

So I don't know. If they story CAN be told using just one point of view, I think I'd do it that way. If you need 3 then you need 3. :)
May 4, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Sarah Wylie said…
Is it lame to recommend Twizzlers? ;)

Um, in all seriousness, I recommend just playing around with it. Try first person or two POVs or three. And see which feels the most natural.

Good luck! :)
May 4, 2010 at 5:26 PM
Sharon K. Mayhew said…
I saw Linda Sue Parks at a conference a couple years ago, she said when in doubt try writing it both ways. I would try doing the first three chapters each way and see which feels right to you before you commit and move forward. Best wishes!
May 4, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Lisa Miles said…
Thanks for all of the advice. I'll try both ways. Maybe if I have the story VERY plotted out I could pull of three of them. Right now I just have ideas and a very vague plot.
May 4, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Bossy Betty said…
It's all a part of the writing process! POV is always the hardest thing for me to decide.
May 4, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Kelly@ JustWrite said…
I feel for you!! But, I don't have any answers..I tried multiple pov's once and yeah, it's hard. Really hard. But, if it's done well, it can be an awesome story. Go with your gut, write it each way (a lot of work, I know) and you'll know what's working and what isn't.

Good luck. And yeah, eat chocolate. ;)
May 4, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Carolyn V. said…
That's a hard dilemma! I think I wouldn't be able to take one at a time, because their plots would have to move the story forward for each character (plus my characters have a habit of starting to do their own things).

I wish I had more info to help you. But here *virtual chocolate* I hope that helps a little. =)
May 5, 2010 at 12:10 AM
Jade said…
I read an interview with Jay Asher where he said (in regards to writing 13 Reasons Why) that he wrote Hannah's story first (on the tapes) and then added Clay's reactions to what he hears on the tape later.

That's all I can think of because I haven't tried multiple PoVs since my very 1st ms years ago.
May 5, 2010 at 7:36 AM
Unknown said…
All I can say is...

...this is why I write MG.

Just kidding. Actually, I think you are on to something. You first need to decide if all three girls need to be a main character. If they don't, then it would be best to write from one POV. But if the story isn't complete without all three POV, then go for it!

But since I've never even attempted a multiple POV book, take my advice with a grain of salt.

And good luck!
May 5, 2010 at 2:22 PM
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