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Point of View: How to use the different POV types, avoid head-hopping, and choose the best point of view for your book
Point of view (POV) is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s kit, but it’s also one of the hardest to understand and master.
In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to teach you how to handle point of view in a way that will make your readers identify with your main character, draw them into the story, and keep them captivated until the very last page.
The book provides concrete examples and exercises that will hone your writing skills.
Whether you’re a novice writer working on her first story or an established author, this book will help you to:
- Discover what point of view is and why it’s so important.
- Understand the different types of point of view such as first-person, third-person, omniscient, and deep POV.
- Choose the point of view that works best for your story.
- Write a novel from multiple viewpoints without confusing your readers.
- Avoid head-hopping and other POV violations that would throw your readers out of the story.
- Write internal monologue and take your readers deeply into your character’s mind.
- Create suspense and tension by using POV techniques.
- Let your readers experience events through your main character’s eyes to get them emotionally involved in your story.
In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to teach you how to handle point of view in a way that will make your readers identify with your main character, draw them into the story, and keep them captivated until the very last page.
The book provides concrete examples and exercises that will hone your writing skills.
Whether you’re a novice writer working on her first story or an established author, this book will help you to:
- Discover what point of view is and why it’s so important.
- Understand the different types of point of view such as first-person, third-person, omniscient, and deep POV.
- Choose the point of view that works best for your story.
- Write a novel from multiple viewpoints without confusing your readers.
- Avoid head-hopping and other POV violations that would throw your readers out of the story.
- Write internal monologue and take your readers deeply into your character’s mind.
- Create suspense and tension by using POV techniques.
- Let your readers experience events through your main character’s eyes to get them emotionally involved in your story.
- GenresWritingNonfictionCrafts
158 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2019
169 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Gerth
15 books35 followersSandra Gerth is a writer and an editor who divides her time between writing her own books and helping other writers revise and polish theirs.
She holds a degree in psychology and worked as a psychologist for eight years before transitioning into a career as a full-time novelist—the best job in the world as far as she’s concerned.
She earned a certificate in editing from the Academy of German Book Trade and is now the senior editor of Ylva Publishing, a small press that publishes women’s fiction.
Under her pen name, Jae, she has published twelve novels and about two dozen short stories. Her books have won numerous awards and have been #1 bestsellers on Amazon on various occasions.
She’s also the author of a series of books for writers
She holds a degree in psychology and worked as a psychologist for eight years before transitioning into a career as a full-time novelist—the best job in the world as far as she’s concerned.
She earned a certificate in editing from the Academy of German Book Trade and is now the senior editor of Ylva Publishing, a small press that publishes women’s fiction.
Under her pen name, Jae, she has published twelve novels and about two dozen short stories. Her books have won numerous awards and have been #1 bestsellers on Amazon on various occasions.
She’s also the author of a series of books for writers
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 9, 2016
I found this book to be pretty easy to understand with very accessible language. As someone who works with authors to help them make their books better, I need to have a solid understanding of different types of POV, how to identify violations, and offer suggestions for fixing problems. This book is organized in a way that makes it a valuable resource for referencing later on.
If you're an author, there are loads of exercises that can help develop skills, too.
I highly recommend all authors pick this up.
If you're an author, there are loads of exercises that can help develop skills, too.
I highly recommend all authors pick this up.
September 22, 2020
Before picking up this book I didn't know much about point of views. I knew the basics, but didn't really understand how much variety there was in what I labeled third person point of view for example. This book has been great in giving me a greater understanding of point of view.
This is a great book about point of view, it explains what point of view is and what the different point of views are, as well as how to figure out which point of view to use and how to avoid things like head hopping. It's a very to the point book, with clear explanations and examples and it was easy to read. It provides you with the information that the book description promises and by the end of the book I felt like I had a better understanding of point of view.
I would definitely recommend it to authors who want to understand point of view better.
This is a great book about point of view, it explains what point of view is and what the different point of views are, as well as how to figure out which point of view to use and how to avoid things like head hopping. It's a very to the point book, with clear explanations and examples and it was easy to read. It provides you with the information that the book description promises and by the end of the book I felt like I had a better understanding of point of view.
I would definitely recommend it to authors who want to understand point of view better.
November 21, 2024
This is the third book in the series I've gone through. Once again, an excellent introduction to the core elements and terms. It's concise and offers exercises.
January 22, 2019
Another great resource for novice authors
I've just finished reading this for the second time and have reaffirmed my belief that every new writer should read this book, regardless of whether they feel they have a good grasp on POV or not. Sandra Gerth has made the complex, simple, and has shown how subtle word choice or recasting of sentences improves the intimacy that a reader can have with the protagonist.
This is a resource that I'll be recommending to my clients (authors) repeatedly.
I've just finished reading this for the second time and have reaffirmed my belief that every new writer should read this book, regardless of whether they feel they have a good grasp on POV or not. Sandra Gerth has made the complex, simple, and has shown how subtle word choice or recasting of sentences improves the intimacy that a reader can have with the protagonist.
This is a resource that I'll be recommending to my clients (authors) repeatedly.
May 10, 2021
Do you want to understand the difference between the three major points of view and how to use them properly? Do you want to know how to choose the best point of view for the story you are writing? Do you want to know how to avoid POV problems, problems like “head-hopping”? if you answered “yes” to one or all of those questions, Point of View by Sandra Gerth is the craft book you need to read next because Sandra promises to teach you how to excel in all those things and Sandra always makes good on all she promises. There’s an old rule, “Those that ‘can,’ ‘do,’ and those that ‘can’t do, teach.’” Sandra is the exception to that old rule because she not only talks the talk, she walks the walk.
As the senior editor of a publishing house, she encounters POV mistakes every day in submitted manuscripts, and they are one of the biggest reasons those manuscripts get rejected. She says that POV is the most powerful tool that the fictioneer has in their toolkit, and the one every writer needs to master if they want to become a published novelist. Sandra’s Point of View will teach you to wield that tool like an expert.
Point of View is more than just a textbook to be read, it’s a workbook as well. Each of the seventeen chapters end with a series of exercises that will enable the reader to practice what they have just read about. To get the most out of this little book, the reader must pause in their reading and do all those exercises. I could have read this book in an hour, but I stretched it out over a period of days because I did those exercises. I’m not a novice writer. I have forty-plus years experience ghosting nonfiction books for clients in the electrical and electronics industries, but I’m a novice fictioneer working on my first novel, and Sandra’s book taught me everything I needed to know about POV. I had read many books and articles on POV, but none of them made the subject as easy to understand as Sandra’s Point of View does.
As the senior editor of a publishing house, she encounters POV mistakes every day in submitted manuscripts, and they are one of the biggest reasons those manuscripts get rejected. She says that POV is the most powerful tool that the fictioneer has in their toolkit, and the one every writer needs to master if they want to become a published novelist. Sandra’s Point of View will teach you to wield that tool like an expert.
Point of View is more than just a textbook to be read, it’s a workbook as well. Each of the seventeen chapters end with a series of exercises that will enable the reader to practice what they have just read about. To get the most out of this little book, the reader must pause in their reading and do all those exercises. I could have read this book in an hour, but I stretched it out over a period of days because I did those exercises. I’m not a novice writer. I have forty-plus years experience ghosting nonfiction books for clients in the electrical and electronics industries, but I’m a novice fictioneer working on my first novel, and Sandra’s book taught me everything I needed to know about POV. I had read many books and articles on POV, but none of them made the subject as easy to understand as Sandra’s Point of View does.
April 22, 2020
POV explained and shown in detail
There are a lot of websites with blog posts and articles about POV, but this book, short as it is, has more information and helpful suggestions than I have seen browsing the net.
I finally feel like I understand Third Person Omniscient POV, which is great, because I occasionally slip into Omniscient when I’m supposed to be writing in Third Person Limited.
I would have liked the book to be a bit more balanced between Third Person and First Person, which is why I’m not giving it five stars. The majority of the book discusses Third Person POV, which is good, but I would have liked more details and examples on First Person.
There are a lot of websites with blog posts and articles about POV, but this book, short as it is, has more information and helpful suggestions than I have seen browsing the net.
I finally feel like I understand Third Person Omniscient POV, which is great, because I occasionally slip into Omniscient when I’m supposed to be writing in Third Person Limited.
I would have liked the book to be a bit more balanced between Third Person and First Person, which is why I’m not giving it five stars. The majority of the book discusses Third Person POV, which is good, but I would have liked more details and examples on First Person.
June 3, 2021
hands down one of THEE best writing books i’ve purchased. POV in storytelling is a consistent thorn in my side. written in clear, straightforward language with plenty of examples, Sandra Gerth breaks. it. down. i especially love how she provides an example to show common mistakes and then rewrites it.
...
from reading it, i’ve learned that i often slip into 3rd person omniscient (think: a neutral narrator) when i’m trying to write 3rd person limited (think: one of the characters). she shows the subtle ways that it can pop up. it explains why some of the things i’ve written as of late feel flat to me, lacking the emotions that i know my characters are feeling. highly recommend.
...
from reading it, i’ve learned that i often slip into 3rd person omniscient (think: a neutral narrator) when i’m trying to write 3rd person limited (think: one of the characters). she shows the subtle ways that it can pop up. it explains why some of the things i’ve written as of late feel flat to me, lacking the emotions that i know my characters are feeling. highly recommend.
May 10, 2020
This book provides essential, sometimes basic, sometimes more detailed information on a very important part of writing - POV. Gerth uses simple, yet effective examples and easy to understand definitions. Not all of the information is groundbreaking, but the book does offer tips for choosing the best POV for you and the advantages and disadvantages of using specific POVs.
I would recommend this book to someone who has absolutely no clue what a POV is and what kinds exist. Those who have a rough idea about POVs might benefit from reading this book too, but don't expect brilliant advice, more like common sense pointers.
I would recommend this book to someone who has absolutely no clue what a POV is and what kinds exist. Those who have a rough idea about POVs might benefit from reading this book too, but don't expect brilliant advice, more like common sense pointers.
September 24, 2021
A difficult subject, well-explained
I like it that the author focused on each individual POV and gave examples of all of them. Easy to read and comprehend. Easier to use as a reference when writing (I guess, but sure looks so!).
I can't wait to start editing my more serious stories using this guide!
I like it that the author focused on each individual POV and gave examples of all of them. Easy to read and comprehend. Easier to use as a reference when writing (I guess, but sure looks so!).
I can't wait to start editing my more serious stories using this guide!
October 15, 2023
Sure there are other books on character point of view, but what I always enjoy about Sandra Gerth's books is her exercises. She also does a great job at explaining things. Aside from her explanations on the various types of POV and how to use them, she also kept emphasizing the importance of carefully establishing and maintaining character voice.
March 31, 2025
Whilst a useful book to improve understanding of POV, I somehow found the first half very simple and then the final part a little confusing at times.
The final few chapters I’ve read twice and feel like I still need to go back and read them again.
Maybe it’s me, but didn’t enjoy this one of hers as much as the previous ones I’ve read.
The final few chapters I’ve read twice and feel like I still need to go back and read them again.
Maybe it’s me, but didn’t enjoy this one of hers as much as the previous ones I’ve read.
June 20, 2023
This book just didn’t work for me. I’m afraid I’m none the wiser really about POV and will need to find another resource to help with this. I’ve also bought the same author’s book ‘Show don’t Tell’ I’m really hoping that is more useful.
December 5, 2016
This book was incredibly helpful and written in a clear and concise manner. Useful homework for anyone who writes!
Now I just have to hope I remember all of it as I carry on writing!
Now I just have to hope I remember all of it as I carry on writing!
August 21, 2017
This book has some great ideas and cuts to the chase quickly. Sandra Gerth knows what she's talking about.
September 11, 2018
Very useful book.
This book is very much useful but these could be tough in application. I personally feel that, POV should come naturally from a writer's pen.
This book is very much useful but these could be tough in application. I personally feel that, POV should come naturally from a writer's pen.
March 3, 2020
Excellent book. Good definitions & examples. I wish there were a few more examples in a couple of the chapters, but it’s a really helpful book. Best writing craft book I’ve read in ages.
May 30, 2020
Un poco confuso en algunas partes, pero creo que soy yo. Muy útil. Me di cuenta de muchísimos errores que no hubiera visto de no haber leído este libro.
Recomendadísimo.
Recomendadísimo.
April 8, 2021
Outstanding and helpful.
I thought this POV book to be the best I have read at this point. Well executed with solid examples and advice.
I thought this POV book to be the best I have read at this point. Well executed with solid examples and advice.
May 16, 2022
Helped me with my book
I've known the different POVs for ages. This book helped me narrow down which POV I want to write my series in.
I've known the different POVs for ages. This book helped me narrow down which POV I want to write my series in.
November 22, 2024
A great resource for beginners learning the ropes and advanced writers in need of a refresh. Complete with great explanations, examples and exercises.
April 17, 2025
I was hoping for more information to set limited and deep third person apart but this was still helpful in learning about all points of view.
October 27, 2019
Better than average.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2023
A Helpful Resource. Avoid confusing ‘Head Hopping’ POV with this useful guide.
Practical insight provided with suggestions for best POV usage and strengthened writing.
Practical insight provided with suggestions for best POV usage and strengthened writing.
October 19, 2025
Sandra Gerth's books are by far the best writing advise I have been given. Between this book (Point of view) and Show, don't tell, I suddenly understand what I am doing. I now know what to look for when I revise my work.
January 4, 2017
Great book to understand POV. It is easy to understand, there are exercises in each chapter to stimulate and consolidate the learning. I would recommend to every author and editor.
January 16, 2019
Clear. Concise. Cheerful. Without pretensions. Five stars and I heartily recommend to all levels, from rank beginning fiction writers to advanced pros who want to brush up.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews