There is a lot of energy involved in writing and reading a dual POV book. Did you know that each of our narrators in Death’s Primordial Kiss has their own set vocabulary that is checked in a search before the books come out? Most of the time, reader’s aren’t really driven by the behind the scenes stuff, but I did want to list a few simple rules on how to read a dual POV book in the beginning, before you get to know the narrators.

Here are 3 tips to reading a dual POV novel:

1. Read the headings, they are there to help! Dual POV books are way harder if you are a skimmer. Pay attention to the headings that list a character’s name, and your brain will help you out in organizing the information! In Book 1,  I use a name and symbol before the start of each chapter. I will extend the symbols to my back catalog as well, because it’s what readers wanted in a survey, and makes a beautiful book!

2. Use accents to narrate your thoughts. When POV characters have accents, an author will let you know almost the second they start talking. In book 1, Helaine happens to be British (with some French words thrown in) and Rose has an American accent, which tends to be plainer.  As soon as they start speaking, the accents are made known. When you get to a new heading, knowing the accent helps to switch your inner narrator over to a regional accent!

3. Enjoy the ease of reading set vocabulary. The dual POV author wants you to get the hang of things, and just like vocabulary from a regional accent, certain words will be used exclusively to each character, and when they get into their elements, vocabulary changes to match. You might not realize that this is happening at first. Helaine’s vocab shows that she is a little more self-centered, a tinge lazy, and out to prove herself. She’ll use French words and doesn’t hesitate to drop an f-bomb for humor.  Rose uses intuitive Pisces words and mysticism to counter Helaine’s calculating ways of being a Libra, and Rose will save those f-bombs for emphasis and spells gone wrong.

In summary, use those chapter headings and accents to your advantage until you get used to character personalities!