1. Choose Your Character Carefully:
* Who is your character? What are their motivations, desires, fears, and flaws? What makes them unique?
* What is their role in the story? Are they the protagonist, antagonist, or a supporting character?
* What is their voice? How do they speak, think, and perceive the world?
2. Limit Perspective:
* First-Person: The character narrates the story using "I" and "me." This gives readers direct access to their thoughts and feelings.
* Third-Person Limited: The story is told from the perspective of a single character, using "he," "she," or "it." You see the world only through their eyes and experience their internal world.
3. Show, Don't Tell:
* Actions: Let your character's actions reveal their personality and motivations.
* Dialogue: Give your character a distinct voice through their speech patterns and the words they choose.
* Internal Monologue: Reveal the character's thoughts and feelings directly, but be careful not to overdo it.
4. Use Sensory Details:
* Help readers experience the world through the character's senses. Describe what they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
5. Maintain Consistency:
* Voice and Tone: Ensure your character's voice and tone remain consistent throughout the story.
* Information: Don't give away information that the character wouldn't know.
Example:
Let's say your character is a young woman named Anya, who is secretly a spy. Here's how you might write a scene from her perspective:
First-Person:
> The air hung thick with the smell of jasmine and sweat. I shifted in my chair, trying to blend in with the crowd at the embassy gala. My heart hammered against my ribs. They would be looking for me. I had to be careful. My hand brushed against the hidden gun in my purse, a reassuring weight.
Third-Person Limited:
> Anya shifted in her chair, trying to blend in with the crowd at the embassy gala. The air hung thick with the smell of jasmine and sweat, but her senses were sharpened. Every movement, every whisper, sent a shiver down her spine. They would be looking for her. She had to be careful. Her hand brushed against the hidden gun in her purse, a reassuring weight against her thigh.
Tips for Success:
* Empathize with your character: Try to step into their shoes and understand their motivations and fears.
* Read examples: Read novels and short stories written from a single character's perspective to see how it's done effectively.
* Be flexible: As you write, you may discover that your character's voice or perspective needs to evolve.
Writing from a single character's point of view can be incredibly rewarding. It allows you to create a deep connection with your audience and tell stories that are both intimate and powerful.