by M.O. Yuksel
I love using writing exercises to generate story ideas. One exercise I find especially useful is trying out different points of view (POV). For example, when I started writing my new picture book RAMADAN KAREEM, about the Muslim holy month of fasting, I wrote it from the fast-breaking meal, iftar’s POV. A story from a meal’s perspective? At first, it seemed crazy. But I went with it anyway. I was trusting the process of creating and giving myself permission to play.
This exercise allowed me to put my creative hat on and think about all kinds of fun possibilities like how iftar might react to a child dreaming about their favorite foods, or how it might respond to a child being impatient waiting for iftar to arrive. After many revisions, I eventually changed the POV of the final story, but the initial kernel was sprinkled throughout the book, RAMADAN KAREEM, coming out in 2024.
I also used this POV exercise when I was stuck while working on my picture book biography, ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University. I couldn’t figure out how to structure this story about this inspiring, trail blazing woman who built the world’s oldest, continually operating university in Fez, Morocco in the 9th century. I was determined to figure it out, but I was stuck and frustrated!
So, I decided to open myself up to play and try writing the story from different perspectives. I wrote the story from the university’s perspective. What? Yes, the university. I thought, what might a university hear, see, smell, taste, touch, if it could? The final version of ONE WISH isn’t written from the school’s perspective, but this exercise did help me come up with a few sensory details including this refrain:
“Fatima imagined her school—feet shuffling from class to class, scholars lecturing at every corner of the building, students debating in various dialects…She could almost touch each brick and stone.”
Writing from multiple POV also came in handy when I was drafting my picture book, IN MY MOSQUE.
I first wrote it from the community perspective—what, where, why of a place of worship. But it wasn’t very kid relatable. So, I included a second perspective, that of the child. Each spread begins with the community perspective and ends with the child’s, incorporating their feelings and senses.
Now, it’s your turn. Try writing in different POVs. You might try it on a draft you’re working on, or an idea percolating in your head, or if you don’t have an idea, maybe look at the first thing you see and write it from its POV, then write it from other POVs, and see what happens! Most importantly, put your internal editor and critic away, trust the process, and give yourself permission to play!
M.O. Yuksel is author of the picture books, IN MY MOSQUE, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins 2021), and ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi (HarperCollins 2022). Her forthcoming books include RAMADAN KAREEM, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins 2024), SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT: An Eid Al-Adha Story, illustrated by Huseyin Sonmezay (Charlesbridge 2024), and PRINCE OF STARS: The Story of Ulugh Beg, illustrated by Zelma Firdauzia (HarperCollins, 2024). Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in the education field for over twenty years as an administrator, manager, teacher, and yoga instructor. She lives in New Jersey with her three kids, two cats, and one husband. Visit her online at: MOYuksel.com.
M.O. Yuksel is giving away a copy of her book, ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2023 participant and you have commented only once on today’s blog post. ↓
Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.
529 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 21, 2023 at 8:06 am
sburdorf
I like to do this too! I also do “off-script” conversations between characters to get my backstory clear but none of it ever goes in the actual book. Thank you. Have a great day!
January 22, 2023 at 5:55 am
Rita Jane
Ah, this is the perfect accompaniment to the concept I started exploring yesterday. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 8:07 am
Jeanne Cherney
thanks! Now, which draft do I choose to do it with.
January 21, 2023 at 8:08 am
thecrowsmap
An excellent idea! I can see how changing POV can get the creative juices going.
Gail Hartman
January 21, 2023 at 8:11 am
Andrea Mack
I love this reminder to consider different—and maybe unexpected—points of view! Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 8:13 am
catlady45
I love playing around with POV, so thank you for the reminder. When I was at school I once wrote a story about our school trip from the museum’s POV. I got the best feedback ever from my teacher!
January 21, 2023 at 8:14 am
https://katiewalsh.blog/
Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on your upcoming book!
January 21, 2023 at 8:17 am
Kelly Hibbert
Now I’m sitting here tapping out sentences and imagining how my keyboard feels. Thanks for the advice M.O
January 21, 2023 at 8:18 am
Karen
What a great tip to play and have fun trying on different points of view. Thanks for sharing.
January 21, 2023 at 8:22 am
Becca McMurdie
Ohhhh I love this one! I especially appreciate how you incorporated the POV’s you played with into final versions with a different POV.
Congrats on your upcoming books!
January 21, 2023 at 8:22 am
Deborah Agranat Sullivan
Super tip, M.O – thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 8:24 am
Joyce Uglow
I do believe that your landed with perfect timing. Changing the POV may be the answer to one of my manuscripts. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 8:28 am
Mark Bentz
Great post! Thank you.
Change the P.O.V. will help with illustration as well.
Mark
January 21, 2023 at 8:28 am
jbdedwardscomcastnet
Perspective has always fascinated me. Even when you are sitting at a table, where you sit brings a new perspective. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your new book.
January 21, 2023 at 8:31 am
sareenmclay
Thank you, great post!
January 21, 2023 at 8:32 am
Evelyn Day
Great ideas! Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 8:40 am
amyhouts
I love the idea playing with different POVs. I wrote a PB last year from the piano’s perspective. : )
January 21, 2023 at 8:42 am
58chilihed13
I am not good a POV, so this is helpful to me, thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 8:42 am
Jany Campana
Thanks M.O., I’m changing my POV today!
January 21, 2023 at 8:49 am
Melissa Rafson Friedman
Great ideas! I’m laughing in my head thinking about writing books from silly perspectives!
January 21, 2023 at 8:50 am
Linda Kay Chavez
I really like this switching of the point of view idea! A new idea for one of my stories popped into my head while reading this. More than one actually. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 8:52 am
rebeccacolby
Agree. It’s always great to change the POV–whether it be stories or life. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 8:52 am
Carlie Cornell
Lovely exercise. I am very interested in *your* POV.
January 21, 2023 at 8:52 am
WriterTammy
Writing from the meals POV! Brilliant.
January 21, 2023 at 8:54 am
anniepollard
Kudos!
This Profound prompt really got me going!!!
I gleaned three story ideas from your writing.
My 3 ideas include;
1 Point of view- food
2 Point of view -Church walls and Pews
3 Point of view of – janitors closet
Thanks much for sharing
January 21, 2023 at 8:54 am
Julie Reich
Thank you for the helpful post!
January 21, 2023 at 8:56 am
Karen Gardner
Thank you for this inspiring perspective on POV. I intend to try it out and look forward to some interesting ideas percolating as a result.
January 21, 2023 at 8:57 am
lynjekowsky
I often bring inanimate objects and non-humans to life and write a story from their points of view.
January 21, 2023 at 8:58 am
rosecappelli
This is a great idea – one i will definitely try out! Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 9:00 am
brennajeanneret
YES! I love to play POV! Great post!
January 21, 2023 at 9:01 am
Martha Hollenhorst
Thank you for sharing your writing experiences. Trying to see the world from another point of view is important in the world today, as well as in writing.
January 21, 2023 at 9:06 am
pathaap
What a great POV exercise to help generate ideas for our stories. Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 9:09 am
Kathryn LeRoy
Another tool to help me get unstuck in my thinking. Your books are beautiful, and an easy way to learn and appreciate cultures. T
Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 9:09 am
Lisa
This seems like a fun, creative way to learn more about your story idea. I’m looking forward to trying it!
January 21, 2023 at 9:10 am
Rhonda DEChambeau
What a great exercise! Love the idea of playing with different POVs, trying them on, as a way of going deeper in the story! This really sparked for me!
January 21, 2023 at 9:11 am
Writer on the run
Thank you so much for this reminder- I am stuck right now in a story and needed the nudge to try a new POV.
January 21, 2023 at 9:12 am
janet_christensen@msn.com
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 9:13 am
Laurie Fishero
Very interesting and challenging idea! Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 9:14 am
Colleen Owen Murphy
I really do need to give myself permission to play with my writing, and toying with the POV is a great place to start. Congratulations on all your successes and thank you for your advice!
January 21, 2023 at 9:16 am
Sarah Blotevogel
Thank you for sharing your ideas with us! I’m getting ready to head to my job at a hospital and thinking of the hospital’s POV and all the stories held within its walls is full of mind boggling potential!
January 21, 2023 at 9:19 am
Heather Skinner
I absolutely love this idea of playing with points of view to develop ideas and to find the kid-relatable parts of a story! Thank you so much! This will be some fun brainstorming today!
January 21, 2023 at 9:19 am
michelemeleen
I’ve heard this advice before, but seeing it explained how you have has really helped me wrap my head around how to actually do it.
January 21, 2023 at 9:20 am
Candace Spizzirri
Thanks so much M.O.! You’ve given me an idea with a current WIP, a different POV. I’m off to play.
January 21, 2023 at 9:20 am
Rachelle Burk
Extremely helpful post! It’s amazing the details one can create when considering different POVs! Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 9:23 am
Alice Fulgione
I’ll certainly try writing future drafts by using different points of view. Hopefully, one of the POV seeds will bloom into leaves of a great book! Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 9:24 am
Deb Buschman (@DebBuschman)
I love the POV exercise. I have done that a few times and I think I may try that with a new story I’m struggling with. Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 9:27 am
mlyablonaolcom
What a wonderful way to open up the mind! 🙂
January 21, 2023 at 9:29 am
Anne-Margreet
Great advice! Being like a ‘director’ in a play 🙂
January 21, 2023 at 9:33 am
asiqueira1307
Great advice. I will try with a bio I’m writing now.
January 21, 2023 at 9:36 am
lsheroan
I’m definitely going to try to experiment with different points of view to see if I can salvage a few manuscripts I’ve considered abandoning. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 9:38 am
Sara Ackerman
Thanks for sharing your experience with writing in different POVs. It is certainly hard to pull off but it’s so interesting how you have used this as part of your process and not solely for the end result.
January 21, 2023 at 9:40 am
triciahinely
I was familiar with the idea of playing with different points of view, but trying it out from the point of view of an inanimate object is something I hadn’t thought of. Great way to get the creative wheels to churn. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 9:43 am
Lynn McCracken
Thank you for sharing your ideas to generate different POVs. I think it will help me with a story I have struggled to write.
January 21, 2023 at 9:44 am
Lucretia Schafroth
Thanks for sharing your POV exercise to generate insights and details for our stories! Great, helpful advice!
January 21, 2023 at 9:44 am
Debbie Austin
What a fun idea! And so interesting how even though you didn’t keep every POV, they all informed the final version.
January 21, 2023 at 9:46 am
anchance
I love imagining things from various points of view. This is a great suggestion. Thank you and congratulations!
January 21, 2023 at 9:49 am
anchance
I love to imagine things from various points of view. Great ideas and suggestions! Thank you and congratulations!
January 21, 2023 at 9:50 am
Sadaf
Thank you for the great advice!
January 21, 2023 at 9:50 am
leslieevatayloe
A difficult exercise but necessary! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes in 2023.
January 21, 2023 at 9:51 am
tinamcho
Thank you for this pov exercise. Congrats on all your books!
January 21, 2023 at 9:51 am
Cheryl Coate
Thank you so much for your insight!
January 21, 2023 at 9:53 am
Diane Mittler
Love your encouragement to experiment with POV, especially from unusual perspectives–food and university.
January 21, 2023 at 9:53 am
kiwijenny
This is stellar advice. Thank you. Your books look beautiful
January 21, 2023 at 9:54 am
erinquill8
Those are some great ideas about POV!
January 21, 2023 at 9:58 am
mdk45
This strategy works for you and we can experiment too.
January 21, 2023 at 9:59 am
Leslie Santamaria
Writing from the POV of an inanimate object is a brilliant idea. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 10:02 am
Lauren Barbieri
I love this advice—giving yourself permission to play is so important! Congratulations on your upcoming books.
January 21, 2023 at 10:03 am
Patricia Franz
I like the idea of treating POV in revision-ing. I need to go try this now for a couple of concepts PBs. Praise it’ll show for more specificity. Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 10:08 am
kathalsey
Mindy, playing with POV is something I love to do, too! I am amazed at how many books you have coming out. Wonderful!
January 21, 2023 at 10:09 am
Bridgitte Rodguez
Love this thought! I tend to write in first person, pretty exclusively. But sometimes I get stuck. This is a simple concept, that is easy to apply, especially from an inanimate object perspective to see what happens, and change the frame of reference!
January 21, 2023 at 10:11 am
Lenora Biemans (@BiemansLenora)
Wow. That’s a creative POV!
January 21, 2023 at 10:11 am
Brian Gonsar
I find this helpful too – thanks for sharing with us!
January 21, 2023 at 10:12 am
SHARON LANGLEY
Thank you for this lovely suggestion…different points of view offer many options.
January 21, 2023 at 10:12 am
jnorland
you are introducing kids to such a wonderful set of stories and experiences! thank you for the ideas!!
January 21, 2023 at 10:14 am
gattodesign
Beautiful looking books. Great suggestions about POV. Thank You.
January 21, 2023 at 10:17 am
murrelld
I have a manuscript that this would work for right now! Thank you for the inspiration!
January 21, 2023 at 10:20 am
Teresa Daffern
I love how changing the POV changes how a story can be told. Thank you for this, and thank you for your beautiful picture books. I feel I need to have ONE WISH now, so I’m going to go get it (though I’d still love to win a copy!:-)
January 21, 2023 at 10:21 am
Kathleen Gauer
Giving characters and even inanimate objects different points of view sounds so imaginative and fun! And all I need to do is let my mind play!
January 21, 2023 at 10:25 am
Debra
Very helpful way to add more concrete sensory detail and interest to my PB story, thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 10:27 am
Teresa 何 Robeson
Yes! Changing POVs is a powerful exercise that can loosen up one’s thinking. Congrats on your upcoming book, Mindy!
January 21, 2023 at 10:28 am
ET Charles
Thanks for such an interesting article.
January 21, 2023 at 10:33 am
maureenegan
Love your books, thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 10:34 am
Sandra Wilson
What a fun activity!
January 21, 2023 at 10:35 am
Christine Ottaviano Shestak
Playing with POV is a fascinating way of getting unstuck, I think.
January 21, 2023 at 10:37 am
Jeanette
That is really helpful. I will remember that if I get stuck, change perspective, change point of view – who’s view… thank you xx
January 21, 2023 at 10:37 am
8catpaws
POV of my laptop: Here is someone staring at me thinking I will offer her a story plot, or title, or phrase that will get her started. Should I help her?
January 21, 2023 at 10:38 am
kerisagreene
Love the idea of changing the POV, I normally default to changing the tense but this sounds like such a fun exercise!
January 21, 2023 at 10:44 am
msaraiva004
What wonderful advice. This also got me thinking about the book Lena’s Shoes are Nervous, and how changing perspective can make a topic that feels very done feel fresh and new. I’ll definitely try this out. Also, your books are BEAUTIFUL.
January 21, 2023 at 10:49 am
Jennifer Skene
Very interesting
January 21, 2023 at 10:53 am
maryraebel
Aha! What a great idea! Thank you for the advice. Your books are beautiful!
January 21, 2023 at 10:55 am
stephaniemstories
Good exercise to try. I’m starting to write my next NF bio and this will be helpful to try
January 21, 2023 at 10:57 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
Great POV tips Mindy – thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 10:59 am
Allison Green
I’m currently studying POV so this is a great writing exercise for that. Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 11:01 am
Danielle Hammelef
I’ve never tried this idea before of changing POV. It’s sounds like a great exercise to find depth to my stories.
January 21, 2023 at 11:03 am
claudia sloan
This will be a fun tip to try in my current manuscript draft, thank you! 🙂 I’ve done this before but it’s easy to forget to try it. Congrats on your books!
January 21, 2023 at 11:05 am
Linda KulpTrout
Thank you for this writing exercise. I’ll definitely try it!
January 21, 2023 at 11:06 am
Becky Walker
Love this reminder to play around with point of view especially as a way to come up with sensory words. Thank you for your great advice! Much appreciated!
January 21, 2023 at 11:08 am
4solivia
Tara and M.O., thanks for sharing about playing with the different points of view in your writing. This is such a unique approach, and I found it so helpful and informative. I can see how that would be constructive for my future writings!
Best,
Sharon
http://www.sharonoblumbergauthor.com
January 21, 2023 at 11:09 am
Fern Glazer
What beautiful books you write! I can’t wait to read them all, experience all of your discoveries in them.
January 21, 2023 at 11:11 am
millerritam
Great advice! So wise to not get “stuck” with just one POV!
January 21, 2023 at 11:14 am
Sharlin Craig
How fun to play around with different POVs! Can’t wait to experiment with this!
January 21, 2023 at 11:18 am
Robin Brett Wechsler
That’s a great suggestion! And I love ONE WISH. Congrats on all your books, M.O.!
January 21, 2023 at 11:18 am
Armineh Manookian
“Give yourself permission to play”-love this! Thank you for the encouragement to try out different, out of the box techniques.
January 21, 2023 at 11:19 am
Lynn Baldwin
Playing with different POVs is definitely a great suggestion. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 11:19 am
bevbaird
Love your advice about “giving ourselves permission to play” and especially to “put your internal editor and critic away”. Thanks for your post.
January 21, 2023 at 11:22 am
Angie B.
I’m going to try this with a draft I’m working on today. Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 11:25 am
debbiearnn
This is a challenging idea. I can see how good it would be to do this. It would certainly help you know your story better! Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 11:25 am
mona861
Thank you for suggesting this exercise. I need to try different POVs with a food story I’ve been struggling with.
January 21, 2023 at 11:33 am
Margaret Lea
Thanks! Great idea!
January 21, 2023 at 11:39 am
robincurrie1
I love POV of inanimate objects! I am struggling with a tree in a forest fire at the moment. Thanks for the encouragement.
January 21, 2023 at 11:39 am
marshaelyn
M.O., I visited your website, hoping to discover what “M.O.” stood for and discovered instead that you speak three languages – English, Turkish, Uzbek. Impressive! What I most needed to read is your sage reminder “to put away our inner editor.” After being an educational editor for 16 years, I’ve been playing “Whack-a-Mole” with my inner critic all throughout my writing career. Keep the joy. Keep the “play” alive. Sending you energy and inspiration for your continued success…
January 21, 2023 at 11:40 am
Laura Bower
Thank you for the reminder to incorporate “play” into our picture book writing! I love the idea of shifting POV’s and even if our manuscripts don’t end up staying in that POV we will learn more about the storyline/develop it even further along the way. Congratulations on your beautiful books!
January 21, 2023 at 11:42 am
Angela Martinelli
I’ve thought about different POVs when writing a manuscript but I can see how actually going through the full exercise of writing them down could create lots of extra juicy details to use even in the final draft. I guess I wrote out different POVs for one manuscript, but I think it would be helpful to do it more often! I also love your advice to play!
January 21, 2023 at 11:43 am
Karin Larson
Great idea and post, thank you so much!
January 21, 2023 at 11:45 am
Joyce
I love the way you mine POV for sensory details. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your beautiful books!
January 21, 2023 at 11:48 am
Abby Wooldridge
I love trying stories from different POVs! Thanks for the reminder that this can generate new ideas, and congratulataions on your book!
January 21, 2023 at 11:48 am
girlscout72091
All your stories look lovely! Such great advice. Thank you for sharing.
January 21, 2023 at 11:48 am
rosiesartventures
Great reminder to think outside the box!
January 21, 2023 at 11:52 am
Elizabeth Wilcox Saba
Thank you for the push on POV.
January 21, 2023 at 11:52 am
jimchaize1
I have some unusual POVs in my stories. Your post will encourage me to be on the lookout for POVs that could be changed to improve a story. Thanks.
January 21, 2023 at 11:55 am
Becki Kidd
What a great post! Thank you, M.O.
January 21, 2023 at 11:55 am
jenfierjasinski
Fabulous exercises!
January 21, 2023 at 11:57 am
beckylevine
This sounds fun to try. Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 11:57 am
Sharon A Putnam
Great post, Mindy! Thank you for giving us a peek at your unique way of using different POV’s when writing your stories! I love the idea of seeing it from an inanimate object’s perspective. I can think of three of my manuscripts that I plan on using this technique on.
January 21, 2023 at 12:02 pm
authorlaurablog
POV is a great revision tool. I’m also always ‘joking’ that my characters decide who tells the story but I’m not sure it’s a joke.
January 21, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Angel Gantnier
Thank you for the inspiration =)
January 21, 2023 at 12:07 pm
martyfindley
This is such an interesting exercise. I can imagine so many stories written from unusual POVs. Congratulations on your new book.
January 21, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Diane O'Neill
Thanks so much for the inspiration and ideas! I love the idea of writing from unique POVs. I’m going to try that and see where it leads. Thank you!!
January 21, 2023 at 12:08 pm
suzanbh
Sounds like a great exercise! Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Jessica Fries-Gaither
Great post and reminder that it’s okay to play around while drafting! I get too stuck on making it “good” From the start and often forget to play!
January 21, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Maria Altizer
I like the idea of giving myself a chance to play with POV. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Heidi Yates
I love the idea of playing with POV and look forward to giving it a try. Thank you for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 12:11 pm
clairebobrow
Great reminder to try out different POVs and really play with the story. I so often forget to do that – thanks, M.O.!
January 21, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Christy Matthes
Thank you for sharing your POV process! I’ve tried this too and find new angles.
January 21, 2023 at 12:16 pm
judyrubin13
Thank you for sharing your changing point of view techniques. It truly alters stories in fascinating ways.
January 21, 2023 at 12:17 pm
andreesantini
What a great reminder to look for different POV’s, I will explore how this may boost my current project. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Susan Jobsky
Thank you for sharing. I’ve been stuck for a while; I’m not thrilled with the beginning of my story. I’ll give writing from a different character’s point of view a try and see what happens.
January 21, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Carol Gwin Nelson
Thanks for sharing your process! Changing the perspective to inanimate objects to mine different thoughts and emotions is a great way to brainstorm.
January 21, 2023 at 12:23 pm
effiekoliopoulos
This is so clever! I never thought about writing this way. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll have to try it out. 🙂
January 21, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Lauri Fortino
Great tips! Thanks, and congratulations on your publishing success!
January 21, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Arlene Schenker
This is such a fantastic idea. I love that even if you didn’t stick with your original playful POV, it seeped into your final manuscript and enriched the book. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Elizabeth Muster
This gave me a great idea! Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Sallye O'Rourke
interesting post, i should play with pov more often…
January 21, 2023 at 12:29 pm
catchandi
Such a great idea to switch up the POV, even if it doesn’t end up that way in the final version! Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 12:30 pm
JL
I love thinking about POV in picture books. It provides so many possibilities for creativity. Very excited to read your books.
January 21, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Tara Cerven
At times I have struggled with figuring out the best POV for my story. Thank you for all of this great advice!
January 21, 2023 at 12:35 pm
mommamoocow
I plan to read your book, One Wish. How interesting! Thank you for the POV exercises.
January 21, 2023 at 12:37 pm
Sheri Radovich
P.O.V. always becomes a main character’s perspective for me and I have never tried an object’s p.o.v. or two perspective’s in one story. Worth trying.
January 21, 2023 at 12:39 pm
sue macartney
Thank you for this fresh, fun reminder about playing with POV! Excited to read One Wish and congratulations on your upcoming release!
January 21, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Suzanne Lewis
POV play! Thank you for encouraging us to see, touch feel, hear and taste a story from different perspectives!
January 21, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Ana Archi
Fun idea to play with point of view
January 21, 2023 at 12:51 pm
katiemillsgiorgio
Great advice…thank you for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Katie Marie
Thank you for sharing your process. Trying different POVs is such a helpful exercise. I look forward to reading your upcoming picture books!
January 21, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Janie Reinart
Congrats on all your book babies ❤️ Great ideas. Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 1:00 pm
jumpbaby
Playing around with POV is such a great tip!
~ Cheryl Johnson
January 21, 2023 at 1:01 pm
badwolf1625
Great idea to change the POV! Thanks
January 21, 2023 at 1:04 pm
Lynn Alpert
What a great writing exercise! Thank you for sharing it.
January 21, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Penny Taub
Great Suggestion. Important to think about who should tell the story. Look forward to reading your PB.
January 21, 2023 at 1:10 pm
marty
Thank you, M.O. for the permission to make POV playful as we work on draft after draft. I love your results, that engaging voice, in the writing you shared. Thank you, Tara, for inviting M.O. to our January storm.
January 21, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Nancy Ferguson
I love your book, One Wish. Thank you for helping us use POV differently and appreciating the value of “playing’.
January 21, 2023 at 1:12 pm
christinashawnbooks
Ooh the first thing I see us a skiing helmet that says “protect ya head”. This will be fun! Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 1:15 pm
rozanark
Thank you for the stupendous idea! And congratulations, your books are gorgeous!
January 21, 2023 at 1:17 pm
authordebradaugherty
Thank you for sharing, M.O. POV still trips me up and I’m grateful when my critique partners point it out to me.
January 21, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Liz Lazar
This post was truly inspiring! I never considered writing from the point of view of an idea/place/holiday. Talk about “outside the box!” And I love how you explained that, while the initial structure from these exercises didn’t stick, they provided you with rich, sensory details that did. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 1:24 pm
kathleenannajacobs
I love that you gave yourself permission to play!
January 21, 2023 at 1:24 pm
allyenz
What a great suggestion. I love how it generated such an intimate feel to your description of the university.
January 21, 2023 at 1:27 pm
nancykkkkk
Totally love this idea. I changed POV in my MG historical novel from alternative 1st POV between 2 main characters, to 3rd POV and it made all the difference. Now will play with it with my PBs.
January 21, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Amanda Perry
One of my favorite novels, The Book Thief, is told from Death’s point of view. So why couldn’t a picture book be told from a unique perspective as well?! Thank you for opening my mind to new possibilities!
January 21, 2023 at 1:34 pm
Christine Graham
Great post! I’ve written a manuscript from the perspective of a kitchen and kitchen’s friend living room. It’s a fun concept to play with.
January 21, 2023 at 1:36 pm
jpeters6248
I‘ve been meaning to try writing from another POV, but for some reason I’m really resistant. But one of resolutions this year is to push myself out of my writing comfort zone, so I will try this one out this week. Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Aimee Larke
Thank you for the reminder to play with points of view. It’s so easy to get stuck on trying to make a story work instead of taking a big step back and changing the point of view. Your books all look like beautiful and important stories!
January 21, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Shirley
This was so helpful! Thank you so much and congratulations on all of your wonderful books!
January 21, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Linda Geiger
How fun to challenge our readers and ourselves to different points of view! Thank You!
January 21, 2023 at 1:49 pm
Linda Geiger
How fun for our readers and ourselves to explore other points of view. Thank You!
January 21, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Kamalani Hurley
Iʻve never really tried playing with POV, but I can see that I really should. The benefits you shared in this post tell me I need to be braver. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Sandy Belford
What great ideas! Trying to see things from differing perspectives is good for us! Thank you for sharing.
January 21, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Penelope McNally
This is a terrific post, thank you. I’m excited to try writing from different POVs – and giving myself permission to play is going to be my new mantra! Congratulations on your wonderful books!
January 21, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Emmeline Forrestal
Ooh this will be a fun exercise to try! Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
M.O.: This is TRULY some of THE BEST writing advice EVER: “Most importantly, put your internal editor and critic away, trust the process, and give yourself permission to play!” I am writing it down and putting it where I can see it for DAILY INSPIRATION! We do need to “give ourselves permission to play,” because we’re writing for professional players. What better way to connect with them–and to write stories for them to ENJOY! THANK YOU for the INSPIRATION!!!
January 21, 2023 at 2:11 pm
kirstenbockblog
Great idea! You never know what you might discover writing from a different POV. One of my favorite examples of this is School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex.
January 21, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Acamy Schleikorn
I love the idea of trying different POV! I’m definitely going to try that! Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Tina Hoggatt
Brilliant!
January 21, 2023 at 2:16 pm
Steena Hernandez
Great advice and tips on writing in different POVs! Thank you so much for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Terry Talley
Thank you for sharing your “permission to play” thought process in creating your stories. It’s inspired me to go ahead with the silly (odd) voice for one of my latest stories and edit it later. Quieting that critic is hard–but how fun to consider the weird possibilities!
January 21, 2023 at 2:27 pm
JoLynne Ricker Whalen
What a great post about experimenting with your story’s POV. Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 2:32 pm
kimpfenn
Thanks for sharing how playing with POV shaped your writing and your books.
January 21, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Deborah Ishii
Thank you for sharing your ideas about playing with point of view. I especially like the strategy of using inanimate objects to tell the story. I’ve made a list of different POV to apply to some of my stories.
January 21, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Reed Hilton-Eddy
Love shaking it up with different POV
January 21, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Mary Beth Rice
Look forward to reading your books!
January 21, 2023 at 2:40 pm
seahorsecoffeeelektra79018
Maybe two points of view? WHOO HOO! Will do! Great idea!
January 21, 2023 at 2:46 pm
danielledufayet
This post is a Mosque read, I mean MUST read and so is In My Mosque -thanks for a fabulous post and congrats!
January 21, 2023 at 2:56 pm
matthewlasley
I had an idea for a picture book, but it wasn’t coming together. I was told to try different POVs and I assumed it was first or third person, but found that it was a different character in the story that was talking. I clearly heard the “voice” and it suddenly made sense.
So I ended up with a talking Gold Pan and was told it wasn’t doable. Yet, it became my first picture book that not only did well, it sold out during the pandemic!
Great advice! Look and listen for a new perspective and voice!
January 21, 2023 at 2:58 pm
Natasha
Congratulations, M.O., on all your PBs, and to Hatem, Mariam, Huseyin, and Zelma. Thanks for the post. I have a bear-keeps-wrecking-the-bird-feeder story. Never thought to try the bird-feeder’s POV! I think it will be fun and will result in a very different story.
January 21, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Sheri Radovich
Thank you for the new ideas and different point of views I am trying today. I appreciate your ideas.
January 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
“Remember to play” will be my mantra today. Thanks for your insights.
January 21, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Lisa Riddiough
Wonderful post! This has helped me find the puzzle piece I was looking for! THANK YOU!!!
January 21, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Elizabeth Kalasinsky
I love playing with POV! Thanks for discussing your process.
January 21, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Susan Cabael
I’ve been playing with POV in many of my stories to find the fright angle.
January 21, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Midge Smith
Great post! Thank you, M.O.!
January 21, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Jessica Frere
This is such great advice – definitely giving it a try to breathe some fresh life into one of my drafts. Thank you for sharing your insights!
January 21, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Allison Fleischman
Fatima al-Fihri sounds like an amazing woman and I’ve never heard of her before. I’m so happy “ONE WISH: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University” is coming out! And thank you for your ideas on playing with perspective!
January 21, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Jennifer
Thank you for this! Permission to play is so important. And I love playing with POV. I wrote a blog post from the perspective of a Champagne bubble recently (not for kidlit). Not sure everyone got the POV, but I don’t mind. It was fun!
January 21, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Kim A Larson
Great advice. Thanks for sharing.
January 21, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Christine Letizia
I love how you discovered those wonderful details playing the POV!
January 21, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Keeping the Me in Mommy
Nice reminder to play with our stories!
January 21, 2023 at 4:12 pm
Lynne Marie
Thank you so much for sharing. I agree — it’s fun to experiment with POV! Thanks for sharing these thoughts.
January 21, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Donna Rossman
Thanks, Mindy! Love this! Brings out so many extra details. Congratulations on RAMADAN KAREEM, SAMI’S SPECIAL GIFT, and PRINCE OF STARS! 😊
January 21, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Rona Shirdan
Thanks for the tips on playing with POV!
January 21, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Claire A. B. Freeland
Thank you for this post, today of all days. I was feeling stuck and your suggestion of varying the POV tells me where I need to go next.
January 21, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Alison McGauley
Thanks for sharing about your writing process and for the reminder to play and experiment.
January 21, 2023 at 4:58 pm
annette schottenfeld
Hi Mindy! Thank you for sharing this unique way of approaching the writing process. 🙂
January 21, 2023 at 5:01 pm
Gabi Snyder
Trying multiple POVs is a fantastic exercise for getting unstuck. Thanks for this great suggestion and congrats on all of your books!
January 21, 2023 at 5:09 pm
margaretsmn
“Give yourself permission to play” is wonderful advice. I had a teacher once who said the best writers are the ones with the most permissions.
January 21, 2023 at 5:16 pm
elizabethdaghfal
Love the idea of giving ourselves permission to play.
January 21, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Lisa Galek
Changing POV is a great idea for trying multiple ways to come at a story.
January 21, 2023 at 5:29 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
This sounds like a terrific exercise. I’ll bet it really does open some doors. Thanks for the post.
January 21, 2023 at 5:34 pm
mariearden
Playing with POV sounds like a great exercise to find all kinds of details for the story. Thanks for sharing this idea!
January 21, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Suzy Grossman
Playing with pov is like playing with play dough for me. Thanks for sharing
January 21, 2023 at 5:42 pm
Andrea Yomtob
I can’t agree more with this advice. I do this when I’m stuck and it always proves fruitful! Thank you for sharing!!
January 21, 2023 at 5:42 pm
sharonkdal
Love this! I’m going to try playing with the idea of the place’s POV.
January 21, 2023 at 5:44 pm
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
What great advice! Congratulations on your upcoming books!
January 21, 2023 at 5:51 pm
shirley301
Playing with POV seems like a great idea. I’m going to try it on the book I’m working on.
January 21, 2023 at 5:52 pm
Anne LeBlanc 🇨🇦😊❤️📚libraries✍️🎤🕺⛏️Go Leafs! (@AnneLeBlanc2)
That is such a great idea! I can apply it to the setting of a picture book I am working on. Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Adriana Gutierrez
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been considering changing one of my stories to a different view point.
January 21, 2023 at 5:56 pm
Elizabeth McBride
Absolutely enticing suggestion! I love experimenting with point of view and remember how delightful it was to present picture books and early chapter books to kids wherein an unexpected POV was used. It is truly a great opportunity for fostering the development of comprehension skills, and a worthy aim for all of us as writers.
January 21, 2023 at 5:58 pm
dedradavis
This is great advice! I love changing the POV.
January 21, 2023 at 6:05 pm
abby mumford
This is a fabulous suggestion and one I will definitely be trying out.
January 21, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Heather Riccio
I love this! Great advice! I definitely might have to try changing POV on one of my picture books to see if that breathes new life into it.
January 21, 2023 at 6:13 pm
Connie Jameson
Great ideas. I’m eager to give changing POV a try.
January 21, 2023 at 6:15 pm
Christine Van Zandt, author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS
As much as I dread doing it sometimes, changing viewpoints really is helpful and can fix something that seems off but you can’t quite figure out why. Thanks for sharing helpful advice.
January 21, 2023 at 6:34 pm
Jennifer Mills Barnes
Thanks so much for the thoughtful ideas about switching POV! I appreciate the inspiration.
January 21, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Diane McBee
Great ideas and suggestions. Thank you for sharing.
January 21, 2023 at 6:40 pm
Jane Baskwill
Thanks for the great idea – change the POV, here I come!
January 21, 2023 at 6:47 pm
heatherstigall
Thanks for reminding us to try writing from different POVs. I forget what a change this can make!
January 21, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Colbert Bronte
Love the books you are creating and their messages! I learned so much about Ramadan by being in a interfaith clergy group — I feel that many will learn from your works. Great tips on using POV, too!
January 21, 2023 at 6:53 pm
Buffy Silverman
Great suggestions–different POV and permission to play!
January 21, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Jennifer Weisse
This is one of my favorite exercises also. I enjoy writing from different POV’s and it helps with my writing. Thank you for the tips!
January 21, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Linda Sakai
I like your permission to play and while doing so, play with POV! Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 7:04 pm
Amy Mucci
What a fun practice exercise to try different POVs! Thanks so much!
Amy
January 21, 2023 at 7:14 pm
Linda Hofke
Writing from a different POV can total transform a story from good to great. Thanks for the reminder.
And congrats on your books.
January 21, 2023 at 7:17 pm
suzanna leigh
Hmm good ideas! I will try that with my next Merfolk book!
January 21, 2023 at 7:17 pm
Nadia Forrest
Thank you, I’ve never really played around with this. Can’t wait.
January 21, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Thelia Hutchinson
That is a great idea to do different perspectives. You never know what you are going to get. I will definitely be doing this. Writing takes time and the best is yet to come
January 21, 2023 at 7:31 pm
paulaobering
Thanks for your suggestions — I love the idea of playing with POV and even including inanimate objects.
January 21, 2023 at 7:33 pm
michelerietz
Thank you M.O. for the suggestion to play with POV. I have a hard time with this, but probably need to practice more. Thanks for giving me a nudge.
Congratulations on your Picture Book success.
January 21, 2023 at 7:33 pm
Bettie Boswell
Great POV ideas. I have a copy of your book already!
January 21, 2023 at 7:37 pm
Dannielle Viera
Your POV examples were intriguing! Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 7:53 pm
Jan Milusich
What a great suggestion to generate different perspectives!
January 21, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Deena
What a great, unique idea! I am definitely going to try this one when I’m feeling stuck with an idea. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Kaye Baillie
I love how you played around with POV. I’m going to try that. And your books looks beautiful! Thankyou.
January 21, 2023 at 7:58 pm
Melissa-Jane Nguyen
This is so helpful! Thank you for sharing! I recently wrote a PB from the POV of a house and have been wondering whether I should try switching to the POV of one of the children in the house – now I’ve got the motivation to just give it a go and see what happens.
January 21, 2023 at 8:01 pm
Kim Parfitt
Thank you for the ideas!
January 21, 2023 at 8:02 pm
jenwritespbs
Thank you for the wonderful advice. I especially love, “put your internal editor and critic away, trust the process, and give yourself permission to play!” Congratulations on your books!
January 21, 2023 at 8:18 pm
Trine Grillo
I know I should do this more often. It is difficult for me when I have my original POV in my head.
January 21, 2023 at 8:20 pm
Aly Kenna
Thank you for your post. Wow, you really like to challenge yourself! Writing from the POV of inanimate objects and/or settings/social climate is not an easy thing to do. I can definitely see the value in approaching a project from that angle before tackling character and voice. All your stories sound amazing. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the great work 🙂
January 21, 2023 at 8:21 pm
David McMullin
Excellent idea. Thanks so much!
January 21, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Shanna Silva
Thanks for this idea!
January 21, 2023 at 8:25 pm
Laura Wippell
This sounds fun – many thanks for the idea and permission to play! It’s easy to take things too seriously when writing.
January 21, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Brittney Jett
What a great exercise! Thank you M.O.!
January 21, 2023 at 10:41 pm
seschipper
Thanks for another great post and “permission” to play! Congratulations on your wonderful books!
January 21, 2023 at 8:30 pm
Jess
Playing with POV sounds so freeing. I often play with structure in a similar manner and see what comes of that but POV sounds fun! Thank you for sharing.
January 21, 2023 at 8:31 pm
Teresa Rodrigues
Thanks for sharing this tip, M.O., and congrats on your books!
January 21, 2023 at 8:33 pm
🇵🇪 Sara Fajardo 🇺🇸 is wrestling with words (@safajarwrites)
Wonderful advice. Love how this exercise helped enrich the final story.
January 21, 2023 at 8:35 pm
Lisa Billa
Thanks- a great exercise, and good reminder to take a different view when stuck. Congratulations on your beautiful books!
January 21, 2023 at 8:49 pm
gayleckrause
Great tip. Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 8:54 pm
Jeannette Suhr
Thank you, M.O., for this wonderful exercise. I can see how it can help add to the story.
I look forward to reading your books and I wish you continued success with your writing.
January 21, 2023 at 8:57 pm
Michele Helsel
That is interesting how you incorporated ideas from different POV of buildings. Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 8:57 pm
Lisa Atkinson
Re-writing the pov to be from an inanimate object’s perspective is such a playful idea. Thank you!! I’m excited to try it out!
January 21, 2023 at 9:01 pm
Melissa Hastings
This has given me a new few ideas to play around with different perspectives that will better engage young readers. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 9:08 pm
Naja Lund Aparico
Brilliant idea to combine community and child’s POV in your beautiful book!
January 21, 2023 at 9:28 pm
Tarja Nevala
Changing up POV is a great idea. Thank you.
January 21, 2023 at 9:49 pm
Jenny Boyd
I agree that playing (in writing) is so important. Thanks for the reminder.
January 21, 2023 at 9:53 pm
marty bellis
Playing with POV is so much fun. Thanks for sharing how using an unusual or surprising POV influenced each of your titles.
January 21, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Christine M Irvin
Great advice. Thanks for sharing!
January 21, 2023 at 10:07 pm
Jane Dippold
Thanks for your ideas! Great post about being playful in writing!
January 21, 2023 at 10:16 pm
Holly Vagley
Love the POV suggestion.
January 21, 2023 at 10:20 pm
Jenna Johnson
Playing with pov is so fun!
January 21, 2023 at 10:23 pm
Elle Carlin
I love playing with POV! It’s something I have to remember to do more often.
January 21, 2023 at 10:24 pm
jbbower
Thank you M.O.! I think this exercise is going to be most helpful! Can’t wait to give it try. Thanks again!
January 21, 2023 at 10:26 pm
debbiemoeller
Great suggestion. I’m going to take a look and see if changing POV would improve any of my WIP. Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 10:31 pm
Adriana Bergstrom
I love this idea! Changing the point of view is a good strategy if you’re stuck.
January 21, 2023 at 10:33 pm
Carol Gordon Ekster
Thanks for the inspiration. Your books are beautiful!
January 21, 2023 at 10:34 pm
Kathy Doherty
I love “…give yourself permission to play.” How true!
January 21, 2023 at 10:38 pm
Srividhya Venkat
Thank you for sharing this great tip and how it helped you with your beautiful books. I’m eager to try different POVs on a story I’ve been stuck on for ages!
January 21, 2023 at 10:41 pm
cinzialverde
Love your inspiration. Thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 10:45 pm
Poupette
Great writing exercise. Thank you!
January 21, 2023 at 10:48 pm
Liz Godfrey
Thank you for sharing your advice – I must remember to play with POV with every manuscript!
January 21, 2023 at 10:50 pm
cbcole
Great post. I love the classic stories written from a different POV. I’m planning on changing the POV on one of my stories.
January 21, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Linda Staszak
I love the idea of changing POV, and I’m going to give it a try to see what happens. Thanks for a fun and inspiring post!
January 21, 2023 at 11:18 pm
Jessica Coupé
Great idea to play with perspectives, thanks!
January 21, 2023 at 11:20 pm
Betsy Lehan
I’ve never thought to do this before! I will definitely try it! Excellent advice!
January 21, 2023 at 11:22 pm
Sophie Furman
Woa, this is an amazing tip! A great way to just start writing. It’s kind of like in illustrating, when you draw the subject from different visual and compositional perspectives, the more extreme the perspective, the better and more engaging!! Thank you for your lovely post! 😀
January 21, 2023 at 11:28 pm
Melissa L Lettis
Playing with POV can really add some great surprises in writing – great advice!
January 21, 2023 at 11:29 pm
JF Hall Writes
Such a neat idea! I only recall reading one book based on a POV outside of a human or animal, but I didn’t think about attempting to write such a POV myself. I love that challenge. I appreciate learning that the final story may not stay in the new and different POV, but may benefit a given story anyway, regardless of whether I end up sticking with the POV by the time the story edits are done. Thanks for the inspiration!
January 21, 2023 at 11:31 pm
Lindsey Aduskevich
I love this idea! I actually wrote a story recently and decided to flip the pov but haven’t been able to get to it yet. This is a nice kick in the booty to get it done. 😊
January 21, 2023 at 11:39 pm
littleseedsread
What a great exercise! This may be just the trick to get me unstuck with some of my manuscripts. Thank you for the wonderful suggestion.
January 21, 2023 at 11:45 pm
Ellie Langford
What a great idea, saturating yourself with feelings and info from different points of view. Thanks for sharing M. O. Yuksel.
January 21, 2023 at 11:52 pm
Chelle Martin
I had learned about this idea in a class with Harold Underdown. It does help to look at the story in many different ways. Thanks for sharing.
January 22, 2023 at 12:08 am
Laurie Seaford
I’m so happy for you–THREE new books coming out!! Congratulations! I love your POV exercise. I used to do something similar with my middle school students, and the reminder is so timely. I can see how it can help me come up with new sensory details. I’m eager to try it. Thank you. (:
January 22, 2023 at 12:09 am
Jennifer Phillips
A good reminder to use this technique. It definitely is helpful. Thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 12:15 am
writersideup
Mindy, I have a library copy of your beautiful book ONE WISH, and just like Fatima, I think we writers and illustrators have a wish that burns brightly inside 🙂 Thanks for your insights on how you use POV for your picture books. I typically think that way for fleshing out novel plotting and character, but I can see how picture books would benefit too! Thanks! 😀
January 22, 2023 at 12:17 am
jilltatara
Hooray for play! And trying new POVs! Thank you for this post!
January 22, 2023 at 12:35 am
Kathleen Clark
I love the idea of changing points of view. In the past I have changed from second to first, and it just gives a different flavor. Thank you for sharing about your wonderful stories and how they came to be.
January 22, 2023 at 12:40 am
Paul Brassard
Thanks for a terrific post, M.O.! You’ve got me thinking about the picture book project I’ve been working on for years. Different POVs? Hmm.. like different camera angles in a movie… How about looking at the scene like a stranger on the porch looking INTO the house through the rainy window? What would they see that I haven’t seen or my characters haven’t seen? I like it. I am definitely going to try this out. Thanks again for the inspiration.
January 22, 2023 at 12:46 am
Ashley Sierra (@AshleySierra06)
Thanks for the tip!
January 22, 2023 at 1:02 am
jasminefang
Good reminder to think (and write) from other POV, thanks!
January 22, 2023 at 1:05 am
brendad101
Great exercise. I wrote from the point of view of a suitcase. I can see how it might help flesh out the story and bring in themes. Thank you.
January 22, 2023 at 1:19 am
wyszguy
Great ideas – thank you so much for sharing your process!
January 22, 2023 at 1:21 am
steveheron
I’m going to so this POV thing more often. Thanks.
January 22, 2023 at 1:33 am
alicia shawn gagnon
Thanks for giving permission to PLAY and give our internal editor the day off. 🙂
January 22, 2023 at 1:52 am
Cindy S.
Thanks
January 22, 2023 at 1:55 am
Janice Woods
Great ideas! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
January 22, 2023 at 1:57 am
Janice Woods
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing them with us!
January 22, 2023 at 2:01 am
Bri Lawyer
Changing the POV is such a fun exercise. I get to really know my characters!
January 22, 2023 at 2:45 am
Earl @ The Chronicles Of A Children's Book Writer
Good exercise to try. Thanks.
January 22, 2023 at 4:24 am
cravevsworld
Great advice on POVs to add to the story. Thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 4:35 am
freda lewkowicz
I love this! Changing the POV is a great idea. Is it just a story starter -inspiration for authors? Do unique POV stories sell well today?
January 22, 2023 at 4:56 am
Jane Martin
Thank you for this wonderful reminder to play! I think that is just what I needed to hear today.
January 22, 2023 at 5:54 am
Danya Vasquez David
Thanks for the reminder to try out different POVs- I’ve found that to be very valuable. Thank you for sharing a bit about your process!
January 22, 2023 at 7:58 am
Sarah Hetu-Radny
Thank you for the post! I will try playing with point of view.
January 22, 2023 at 8:00 am
ramonapersaudwrites
Such a fun way to dig for details. Adding to my toolbox.
January 22, 2023 at 8:21 am
Laura Purdie Salas
Thanks, M.O.! I often write mask poems from objects’ povs, but I haven’t tried this with picture books. Thinking…
January 22, 2023 at 8:54 am
laureannawrites
Ooo! Inanimate object POV. I haven’t tried that yet! Thanks for sharing.
January 22, 2023 at 9:08 am
Mary Warth
Thank you for the great advice. Putting away the inner critic always leads to more creative solutions!
January 22, 2023 at 9:23 am
Monica Acker
Such a great way to get to know all of the players in the story!
January 22, 2023 at 9:26 am
Andria Rosenbaum
Your process sounds fascinating & freeing! Thanks for sharing, M.O.!
January 22, 2023 at 9:33 am
Hélène Sabourin
Using different point of views certainly opens up new ideas.
January 22, 2023 at 10:09 am
Melissa Miles
I love this idea. A new POV would definitely open new doors to storytelling! Thanks.
January 22, 2023 at 10:14 am
Leah Moser
This is great advice. I’ll try to write from another POV today! Thank you.
January 22, 2023 at 10:24 am
Joy Wieder
I love giving ourselves permission to play. Thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 10:44 am
Rochelle Y Melander
Very fun!
January 22, 2023 at 11:34 am
Patti Ranson
It was nice to here not just the what but how you went about trying different POV’s, thank you:)
January 22, 2023 at 12:41 pm
ryanrobertsauthor
Great idea to experiment with POV!
January 22, 2023 at 12:54 pm
Maria Bostian
Thank you for the inspiration.
January 22, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Annie Guerra
Interesting technique to explore the fundamentals of your book.
January 22, 2023 at 12:59 pm
chaunceyelephant
A wonderful writing exercise – and love how you even combined points of view in one book.
January 22, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Love this post, love you and love your books! Great advice! xoxo 🙂
January 22, 2023 at 1:19 pm
iartbygina
Wonderful ideas! Thank you so much for sharing!
January 22, 2023 at 1:34 pm
Heidi Chupp
Your post has already set me to thinking and imagining. Thank you, M.O.! 🙂
January 22, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Marlena Leach
I do play with points of view when writing. I love finding the voice. You know you have found the right POV when the voice comes through. Thanks for your post!
January 22, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Mary Ann Cortez
I love your process, coming at the POV from unusual angles is something I almost always neglect to do. Thinking of it as play and not work is the perfect way to look at it.
January 22, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Sarah Meade
Love the idea of “permission to play” and agree it can lead to great things. Thanks for the post!
January 22, 2023 at 3:04 pm
hansenjc13
I like the idea of telling the story from an inanimate object or abstract idea’s POV. Very creative and sounds like a great way to get vivid imagery into a manuscript. Thanks!
January 22, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Michelle S Kennedy
This tip WORKS! And it’s great for making a story more interesting and stretching the brain outside of the box. Congrats on your many books and thank you for sharing your idea with us.
January 22, 2023 at 3:58 pm
LaurenKerstein
What a wonderful post. I love giving myself “permission to play” with POV!
January 22, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Ann Page
Thank you! I can’t wait to read IN MY MOSQUE!
January 22, 2023 at 4:07 pm
Stephen S. Martin
What would my book feel as it is being read by a 4 year old?
January 22, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Joannie Duris
Thanks for sharing your example of how playing with POV helped to form your final drafts and added more depth to the stories. Congratulations on all your books!
January 22, 2023 at 4:37 pm
mhberg
Remember to play and experiment! Great reminder that this is when the magic can happen! Thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 5:14 pm
nicolesalterbraun
Thank you. I’ve had to do this with some of my MS’s. Good reminder
January 22, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Manju Beth Howard 🌻 (@ManjuBeth)
Thanks for sharing! My critique group was just brainstorming and a change in POV came up.
January 22, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Melissa Stoller
Hi Mindy – thanks for great examples and POV exercises! I love all your stories! Congratulations!
January 22, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Darcee A Freier
Those aren’t just different POVs, writing from a meal’s POV and a university’s are DIFFERENT POVs. 🙂 Thanks for not just writing outside of the box, but entirely throwing the box out!
January 22, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Shawna Tenney
What a great exercise to try! Changing the POV. I need to try it more. Thank you for the great post!
January 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm
kidlitgail
I love picture book biographies, especially from unique and different cultures!
January 22, 2023 at 6:37 pm
Eva Felder
Dear Munevver, such a meaningful name!
Very interesting post. Great exercise experimenting with all POV, strong tool to get unstuck.
Congratulations on your upcoming book. I love the children’s art work of the Mosque.
Thanks for the wonderful long list of resources.
January 22, 2023 at 6:47 pm
Melissa Koosmann
What a cool idea for generating story ideas!
January 22, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Gayle Veitenheimer
Love it. I’m working hard on POV this year.
January 22, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Erika D.
Lots of food for thought in this one. Thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 7:16 pm
bookfish1
Interesting exercise. Thanks for sharing
January 22, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Marci Whitehurst
POV changes are helpful! Thanks for sharing!! Congrats on your work.
January 22, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Ali V. (they/them)
Such a powerful technique – thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 8:38 pm
Katie Berner
Thanks for the great post! I’m intrigued to try writing from multiple perspectives and can’t wait to read IN MY MOSQUE!
January 22, 2023 at 9:23 pm
M. Fuller-Morris
Thank you for the great tips!
January 22, 2023 at 9:25 pm
ljtouche
Permission to play is exactly what I have been needing. For years, I would never approach my writing in a playful way. Recently, I have become more flexible and playful. I can’t believe how fun writing has become. Looking forward to changing up point of views. Thank you. -Lori Laniewski
January 22, 2023 at 9:38 pm
Bethanny Parker
Thanks for suggesting that we try writing from different perspectives. What a cool tip!
January 22, 2023 at 9:43 pm
madisu2021
two POVs in a PB! This ignites ideas. Thank you for sharing this strategy and congratulations on your successes.
January 22, 2023 at 9:45 pm
Elayne
Love the idea of playing with POV(s) just to brainstorm–great tip! Thank you so much for sharing!
January 22, 2023 at 10:25 pm
Pradeep Velugubantla
I love it. I will try this idea on my WIP. Thank you!
January 22, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Mary Ann Blair
What a great way to spark creativity! Congrats on your books!
January 22, 2023 at 10:43 pm
srkckass
I definitely find that I write a story from multiple POVs also!
January 22, 2023 at 10:49 pm
Diane M.
Great advice – I need to play with POV more. I love your approach of also seeing your story from inanimate objects and other non-human characters. Also, congrats on your PBs.
January 22, 2023 at 11:24 pm
tracyschuldthelixon
My early chapter book about a restored lighthouse is told from the lighthouse’s point of view, so I could definitely relate to these ideas. Thank you for this inspirational post!
January 22, 2023 at 11:36 pm
GOades-Sese
Thank you for sharing your process! I will try to write in different POVs in my next story.
January 23, 2023 at 12:15 am
Echo Roben
POV is so important and I often forget its incredible power, thank you!
January 23, 2023 at 12:26 am
angiecal76
Hi, Mindy! Had the wonderful pleasure of getting to know you at the NF Highlights summer camp. This is a great exercise I’m definitely going to experiment with. Changing POV really impacts the way a story plays out. Hope to see you soon!
January 23, 2023 at 12:27 am
syorkeviney
Dear M.O., I must tell you how much In My Mosque has been a part of my teaching and teacher training this last year. It has traveled from classroom to the university from children to teachers near retirement. Thank you.
January 23, 2023 at 2:43 am
SandraL
It’s always interesting to think about other perspectives.Thanks for sharing your technique!
January 23, 2023 at 3:31 am
Catherine Friess
I have a picture book that I love but has amassed numerous reactions. After reading your post I wonder if I should try changing the POV – thank you for the inspiration 🙂
January 23, 2023 at 8:35 am
jamarisinclair
Think I’ll try writing from different POVs. Thanks for the tip. Your stories look interesting to read.
January 23, 2023 at 8:48 am
Russell Wolff
This is such a great approach. Thanks, and I look forward to checking out your books!
January 23, 2023 at 9:53 am
Megan Whitaker
Yikes! I should try this with a couple WIPs that I’m stuck on-maybe that’s the problem! Thank you and Congratulations on your successes!
January 23, 2023 at 9:56 am
Lauri Meyers
Mindy – love your approach of playing with POV as a brainstorming tool to find your way in!
January 23, 2023 at 10:14 am
Nancy Kotkin
Love the creative way you included the university’s perspective in your manuscript. Thanks for the useful advice.
January 23, 2023 at 10:21 am
Loretta Schrader
Love working from different POVs. It can really help shape a story and make it better.
January 23, 2023 at 11:24 am
Jacqueline Adams
I never would have thought of playing with some of these POVs. Thank you for showing how this can add to the story.
January 23, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Shirley fadden
Thank you!
January 23, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Daryl Gottier
Thanks so much. I love the idea of trying out different POVs, especially inanimate objects.
January 23, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Prairie Garden Girl
Thank you for the reminder to trust the process as a writer plays with various POVs.
Suzy Leopold
January 23, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Susan Luchetta
Love this idea! Thank you for sharing your process!
January 23, 2023 at 1:23 pm
Rebecca Guzinski
Fantabulous idea to try writing in different POV! Thanks for the tip!
January 23, 2023 at 2:03 pm
donnacangelosi
Thank you so much for this post, Mindy! I love your reminder that even when a POV doesn’t work, it can still give more insight about our stories.
January 23, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Louise M. Aamodt
Writing from the POV of an inanimate object is very freeing!
January 23, 2023 at 2:29 pm
Judy Sobanski
Trying different POV’s can really bring a new perspective to our stories. Thanks for the advice!
January 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Helen Lysicatos
That was a very fun exercise and really got the creating flowing. Thank you.
January 23, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Krys Plate
Your books sound amazing! I can’t wait to read them!
January 23, 2023 at 2:58 pm
Cassie Bentley
This might work on a very old story I wrote that just wouldn’t work. I could write it from a pie’s POV. I’m inspired. Ready to rewrite.
January 23, 2023 at 3:15 pm
claireannette1
Thank you for the suggestion to play with POV while drafting. I have some fun ideas to work on.
January 23, 2023 at 3:22 pm
Rebecca van den Ham
An new POV is a great idea! I love how looking at something from a totally different perspective can shed light.
January 23, 2023 at 3:24 pm
streetlynn
POV is so important! Thanks for sharing your beautiful books!
January 23, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Sandy Lowe
Thanks for permission to play! I needed that!
January 23, 2023 at 4:54 pm
kyavorski
I like the idea of using the POV of an inanimate object as an exercise and not necessarily an end product. I’m going to try this out!
January 23, 2023 at 5:06 pm
ungracefulwanderer
Writing from various (and unexpected) POV is a great way to gain perspective and stretch yourself creatively as a writer. I really appreciate your statement, “Most importantly, put your internal editor and critic away, trust the process, and give yourself permission to play!” Sometimes we get caught in the process and forget why we started writing in the first place – the joy of storytelling and creativity!
January 23, 2023 at 5:19 pm
Barbara Senenman
I should change POVs to see which one is better. It could make some stories more fun.
January 23, 2023 at 5:25 pm
Jessica Milo
Can’t wait to try writing from different POVs with some of my storystorm ideas when I draft them!! I love ONE WISH and can’t wait for your other books to come out, M.O.!
January 23, 2023 at 6:31 pm
Kristi Mahoney
Love the idea of playing in your writing by trying out different POVs. Great post! Thanks, M.O.!
January 23, 2023 at 6:53 pm
kdgwrites
Put my internal editor and critic away. I need to try that.
Thank you!
January 23, 2023 at 7:57 pm
Donna Marx
A great reminder that a difference POV can generate so many new ideas, even if the story works better another way. Thanks!
January 23, 2023 at 8:07 pm
Stephanie D Jones
I definitely think POV is a place where I can get stuck. I love your willingness to embrace trying different ones!
January 23, 2023 at 9:35 pm
yangmommy
As much as we want a story “to be done,” it often pays off to write it with different POVs; something I’m trying now as I debate between what may sell better vs what currently reads better. We’ll see what plays out! Thanks Mindy!
January 23, 2023 at 11:16 pm
carlislemalone
This is so amazing!!!
January 24, 2023 at 12:07 am
Dani Duck
Thank you for the idea to explore different POVs when writing a story. It can be really helpful. Sometimes stories come as a “I’m viewing this happening” story instead of a “this is happening to me”. Or sometimes just a different perspective is great. Thanks for the idea!
January 24, 2023 at 12:17 am
Tanya Svec
Sounds like a great exercise to loosen up and play! Thank you for the ideas.
January 24, 2023 at 12:22 am
Amy Newbold
Thanks for the tip to play with POV. I’m looking forward to trying this with my manuscripts.
January 24, 2023 at 1:43 am
kristinscollins
I really love these ideas for playing around with POV. I have a manuscript that I like but something is not quite working. I am going to explore changing the POV to a different character or object. Thanks!!
January 24, 2023 at 8:19 am
Tanya Konerman
Most of my stories start with a POV, but I love the idea of using different POV’s to develop the storyline!
January 24, 2023 at 8:41 am
Rebecca Grant
Thank you for sharing, this has certainly changed the way I was thinking about some current work-in-progress manuscripts!
January 24, 2023 at 9:09 am
Erica Jensen Shiflet
Thank you! Great idea for getting unstuck!
January 24, 2023 at 9:31 am
Krista Maxwell
Thank you for the great idea!
January 24, 2023 at 9:55 am
Azra Rahim
I love, love, love your two picture books! Thank you for inspiring me!
January 24, 2023 at 10:03 am
marias62
This is so interesting! I will try this great idea!
January 24, 2023 at 11:27 am
Joan Swanson
It is quite interesting to see things in a different POV. I never thought of choosing a building or an object. Now, I think maybe the story I was developing can be seen in the eyes of something different and unusual. Thank you!
January 24, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Sarah Lynne John
Love seeing how the POV exercises came through in the final draft! Thanks for sharing!
January 24, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Laura Renauld
Play is so important to the creative process. Thanks for the POV tip!
January 24, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Franny G
Thank you, I never thought of trying inanimate objects’ POV!
January 24, 2023 at 2:46 pm
tinefg
Ooh, New perspectives an excellent suggestion for rethinking/revamping/rewriting drafts, this even changes the way I’m writing down my storystorm ideas! Thank You, and congratulations on your upcoming releases.
January 24, 2023 at 3:24 pm
libbydemmon
Giving the POV to a meal, or to a place, what a great exercise. Your post reminded me of one of my favorites: School’s First Day of School. Your books look beautiful!
January 24, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing.
January 24, 2023 at 4:40 pm
Kellie
I have done this in the past but haven’t for a while. Great reminder. Thank you.
January 24, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Hank Dallago
What I most admired about your Storystorm post this year, reading between the lines of POV’s examples, is your tenacity! Behind the original storyline, writing, and sometimes endless revisions, is the tenacity it takes to experiment with POV’s until you come up with just the right voice for your story. Thank you for that extra special reminder, O.M.
January 24, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Shannon Fossett
Great ideas! This has me thinking of some ways I can shift perspective with the point of view!
January 24, 2023 at 8:15 pm
JEN Garrett
I love POV! Shifting can really help flesh out a picture book.
January 24, 2023 at 8:54 pm
susanzonca
I like the idea of writing from the perspective of an inanimate object. Thank you for sharing your journey of playing with P.O.V.
January 24, 2023 at 11:37 pm
marybeningo
The point of view of a meal… interesting! Thank you for these ideas.
January 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
bonnie fireUrchin ~ pb illustration & writing
Great thoughts on pushing the boundaries. I have done this, yet I know there are times I’ve avoided it, feeling it is work not play. I think what I’m realizing while working on a GN with multiple characters and trying to find how each speaks and acts that defines them, it is similar in some ways to POV. Finding out the POV of each character can make a story more authentic and alive. And some of the characters are often thought of as setting. Like your mosque, or school, or in my GN a specific tree, the woods. I’ve had momentary flashes of imagining what this tree thinks and feels and what would it say. i may not rewrite this book, but the potential to write another one also exists… thanks for the prodding!
January 25, 2023 at 2:18 am
Maria Marshall
This was a lot of fun! Thanks for the great ideas.
January 25, 2023 at 9:37 am
Katharine Emlen
I love differing POV’s. I often write nature poems from the POV of the plant, or rock. It’s fun! This book looks beautiful and I look forward to reading it!
January 25, 2023 at 10:15 am
Michelle Cusolito
Love this, Mindy!
January 25, 2023 at 10:26 am
Amanda
Great idea for a type of writer “drill” to get ideas flowing! Your books all sounds very interesting, too! I am especially intrigued by the story of a woman starting the world’s oldest university!!
January 25, 2023 at 1:41 pm
Nicole Loos Miller
Love the suggestion to shift POV!
January 25, 2023 at 1:47 pm
michellesteinberg
Thanks for sharing your process using different POVs.
January 25, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Susanne Whitehouse
Thank you for this great post on POV! I am a librarian and In My Mosque is proudly displayed in our library with our Virginia Readers’ Choice Award Nominated Books. These books are a big deal at our school because the students love that they are the ones voting on the winner. I’ll be doing an upcoming lesson with your book!
January 25, 2023 at 4:24 pm
Amita Snyder
What a fun way to explore an idea!
January 25, 2023 at 4:49 pm
Jane Heitman Healy
I like the idea of trying to write from the POV of an inanimate object! Worth a try! Thanks and congratulations on your success!
January 25, 2023 at 8:27 pm
staceygustafson
Terrific idea. I will switch my POV. Let’s see what happens!
January 25, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Christina Dankert
I need to play with POV more often – especially when I’m stuck. Thank you for the suggestion.
January 25, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Devin Stetson
One of my favorite ways to play with story is to write from the perspective of something non-standard: a camera, a tree, a steam-powered machine. Love it. All the stories in this post sound amazing!
January 25, 2023 at 9:20 pm
Susan F Good
Great idea to use different POVs.
January 25, 2023 at 9:25 pm
Lynn M. Mondello
Thank you for this reminder to be playful with POV! Definitively something to do when in a slump.
January 25, 2023 at 9:43 pm
Cynthia Ning
Hi M.O Yuksel,
Writing from a different POV is such a great way to open the path for more creative ideas and I love that you added it also gives you permission to play! While writing children books, sometimes I can get a bit too wordy and not relatable to the young audience, but when I try and see from another perspective it becomes a much more fun experience and reminds me that not all my picture books have to be so serious!
One Wish looks like a beautiful book and I hope to read it soon. Congratulations on your new book release in 2024!
Day 21 ideas down.
Cynthia x
January 25, 2023 at 10:55 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Great post…thank you.
January 26, 2023 at 2:55 am
Marcia Berneger
I like the idea of changing POVs. Thanks!
January 26, 2023 at 3:45 am
Sharon Giltrow
Such a great tip to write from different POV’s. I love it
January 26, 2023 at 10:33 am
Zoraida Rivera
I’m going to play with POV with my WIP! I’m liking the playing part. Makes writing more fun.
January 26, 2023 at 11:54 am
susaninez0905
Thank you for such great ideas. This is a great exercise that can bring a wealth of inspiration.
January 26, 2023 at 12:29 pm
vgraboski61gmailcom
Such a great, inspiring idea! You’ve got me thinking!
Thank you.
January 26, 2023 at 2:18 pm
R.G. Spaulding
Thank you for sharing your process.
January 26, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Janet Halfmann
Definitely going to try writing from more POV’s. Thanks for the inspiration.
January 26, 2023 at 2:43 pm
Charlotte Glaze
Changing POVs is a great method of getting a new perspective on your stories.
January 26, 2023 at 2:49 pm
nowthattherestime281137688
What a fun idea – writing from different perspectives! Think I will give this a try this afternoon! Thanks for sharing today!
January 26, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Ali Oxtoby
I’ve given myself permission to play. POV here I come!
January 26, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Suhasini Gupta
Thank you for sharing insights about POV! 🙂
January 26, 2023 at 10:24 pm
Kamilla Sjodin
I love playing with POV and I love these books! Thanks for encouraging this kind of exercise— it’s great for writing and symbolic of accepting different POV’s!
January 27, 2023 at 1:39 am
Judith Snyder
POV–what a great idea to get the creative juices flowing. Thanks
January 27, 2023 at 7:03 am
Melissa Trempe
What a fun way to get ideas down and write! Thank you for this. 🙂
January 27, 2023 at 7:54 am
Beth Elliott
You’ve got my wheels turning on a current project…! Thank you for your post and congratulations on your various upcoming titles.
January 27, 2023 at 8:39 am
Anne Young
I’m intrigued by a woman being able to found a university so long ago. It’s a book I’d like to read. It’s interesting to hear how you enriched the story. I never quite know what different POVs will reveal.
January 27, 2023 at 10:04 am
Christine Fleming McIsaac
I love hearing how POV played out in your books. Thanks for this insight and inspiration!
January 27, 2023 at 10:22 am
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Great advice! Everything around me can tell it’s own story. All the best for the new book.
January 27, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Meredith Fraser
Thank you for your information. I try different POV also. A tree loves having families of birds, squirrels etc.
January 27, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Janet Smart
Thanks for the idea. I’ll go through my manuscripts and see what happens.
January 27, 2023 at 3:16 pm
carmelamccainsimmons
In My Mosque was one of my favorite new PBs last year! The POV is amazing! Thank you for sharing your method of changing POVs with us.
January 27, 2023 at 3:47 pm
ptnozell
I loved In My Mosque, and I look forward to reading your other picture books. And thank you for sharing the exercise of switching up POV – something I’ve tried a few times, but often forget to do.
January 27, 2023 at 6:24 pm
Hollie Wolverton
I’ve never tried this but I will now!
January 27, 2023 at 9:11 pm
Melissa McDaniel
Thanks so much!
January 27, 2023 at 11:09 pm
calliebdean
What a great suggestion! Thank you!
January 28, 2023 at 1:59 am
Toni Weeks
What a great idea. Sounds like exploring a story from different POVs can eke out details you never would have discovered otherwise. Thanks!
January 28, 2023 at 3:40 am
Lisa Billa
Great suggestions! It’s amazing where play can lead. Thanks for sharing!
January 28, 2023 at 7:38 am
Jamie Bills
Thank you for this reminder! Sometimes I get lazy and don’t want to write the story again, but I know it can be powerful to see it from a different POV.
January 28, 2023 at 12:57 pm
jessaroux
I have been kicking around the idea of rewriting one of my stories from a different perspective to see if it better served the story. Now, I am inspired to go ahead and try it out! Thank you!
January 28, 2023 at 2:34 pm
Karen Gebbia
such great advice! love your books! can’t wait to see the new ones!
January 28, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Aimee Hiura
You made a great point! I’ll definitely try this POV exercise. Thanks so much for a great advice!
January 28, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Viviane Elbee
Thank you for sharing this idea!
January 29, 2023 at 4:05 am
Angela Turner
Great post!
January 29, 2023 at 10:30 am
Angela De Groot
My drafts are so much stronger when I give myself permission to play. Thanks for the reminder, and for sharing your process.
January 29, 2023 at 10:54 am
Angela De Groot
Thanks for sharing your insights into the collaboration process. I think collaboration, even as a writing exercise or experiment would be a fun and craft-building experience.
January 29, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Thank you for sharing your ideas!
January 29, 2023 at 2:43 pm
nlcardenas
Writing from multiple povs is eye-opening. I’m excited to read your books.
January 29, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Susie Sawyer
POV is something I often forget to consider when revising. Thank you for this helpful reminder!
January 29, 2023 at 6:01 pm
sylviaichen
Great advice, thank you so much!
January 29, 2023 at 6:31 pm
Dawn Prochovnic
Thanks for the great post. I have played around with POV on many occasions before, but I’ve never stopped to consider that some of the sensory details I discover/write about in one POV can be incorporated into / woven into other POVs in the story. Thanks!
January 29, 2023 at 7:11 pm
Scott Wolf
I love playing with POV. It’s probably really good for our neural health and growth, too, being creative in strange and different ways. Thank you.
January 29, 2023 at 8:08 pm
Kris Hamblin
Play is so important!
January 29, 2023 at 8:35 pm
topangamaria
Love how you came to different sensory details by playing with POV. Great angle!
January 29, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Elizabeth Metz
I did a revision recently to shift a story from third person to… I guess first person plural? Narrated by a collective group of people as “we.” Haven’t showed it to anyone yet, so no idea if it’s working, but that revision flowed easier than almost any other I’ve done before, so… that’s something!
Anyway, this is good advice, thank you!
January 30, 2023 at 10:58 am
Yehudit Sarah
This suggestion opens up lots of new possibilities. Thanks!
January 30, 2023 at 1:10 pm
pjaegly
I think writing from different POV could help most writing projects. Thank you for the suggestion!
January 30, 2023 at 3:08 pm
colleenrkosinski
interesting exercise!
January 30, 2023 at 5:18 pm
juliannahelt
I love your beautiful books! Thank you for sharing your process with us.
January 30, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Brinton Culp
Writing from different POVs – especially inanimate objects – sounds like a fun and inspiring exercise. Thanks!
January 30, 2023 at 10:06 pm
Judy Abelove Shemtob
Thank you for sharing your suggestion to change POV’s to enrich your stories.Your books are beautiful, M.O. Yuksel!
January 31, 2023 at 12:57 am
Joanne Roberts
I’ve adapted your text as my mantra, “I can almost see my stories, almost touch their spines. I don’t yet know how to bring them to life, but I believe I can. I stand tall, determined, and stay strong, nurturing my wish inside myself.” Thank-you.
January 31, 2023 at 11:05 am
Jay
Thanks for sharing a good way to enhance a story.
January 31, 2023 at 11:06 am
Johanna Peyton
Great idea – I love this!
January 31, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Lucy Staugler
Love the tip on changing the POV. Just what I needed today for my current work. Thank you! Congrats on your books!
Lucy
January 31, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Clement, Laura
Great post. Playing with POV has helped get me out of stuck many times. Thank you!
January 31, 2023 at 5:17 pm
goodreadswithronna
The refrain you shared was LOVELY. If I can get more senses involved in a story simply by trying a new POV, that’s a no-brainer! If it results in better storytelling, all the better. Thank you, M.O.
January 31, 2023 at 7:19 pm
Amanda
Love the idea of experimenting with a number of POVs, especially the wild/crazy ones-they can really help illuminate the story you want to tell, even if not the final approach…These books sound so interesting-would love to read them!
January 31, 2023 at 7:26 pm
Ellen Leventhal
Funny that I just read this. I recently changed the POV in one of my PBs. It’s a great exercise.
January 31, 2023 at 8:04 pm
Megan McNamara
I definitely need to get more creative with my POVs. Love all the ones you’ve tried, M.O.!
January 31, 2023 at 10:51 pm
KamillaM
Thanks for this push–structural ideas are so important. Kamilla Milligan, Writer (she/her) kamillamilligan.com
January 31, 2023 at 11:33 pm
Jennifer Hunt
Definitely gonna try the POV exercise!
January 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Kristin Sawyer
Oh what a fun challenge! I think I’ll read In My Mosque first, then try some of my own POV shifts.
February 1, 2023 at 12:01 am
Kristin Sawyer
I think I’ll read In My Mosque first, then try some of my own POV shifts. Thank you.
February 1, 2023 at 12:18 am
Jocelyn Rish
Now that you’ve teased us with these wild points of view, I totally want to read them!
February 1, 2023 at 12:23 am
calepage
A little POV switcheroo!
February 1, 2023 at 1:44 am
amandalittleauthor
This is amazing.
February 1, 2023 at 11:43 am
Lorraine
It’s easy to get stuck in one POV. Thanks for the reminder to flip it around and play.
February 2, 2023 at 12:53 am
Karan Greene
This is such great advice! Thanks!
February 2, 2023 at 1:44 pm
kaleegwarjanski
So fun! Thanks for the advice.
February 2, 2023 at 1:55 pm
Jes Trudel
Not sure if I’m too late to comment. Every year I forget to comment on all the posts. I’ll post late this year and hope for the best. 🙂 Thanks for a great month Tara and guests!
February 2, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Bhandi
The illustrations of One Wish are gorgeous 🥰
February 2, 2023 at 11:19 pm
Judy Abelove Shemtob
How interesting to play with different perspectives! Your book ONE WISH is beautiful. I was so impressed with your process and backstory, M.O. Yuksel.
February 4, 2023 at 11:41 am
Ann Driscoll
M.O. this was a mind-wowing take on POV. I love that an inanimate object like a building could be animated/have its own unique life by expressing its POV. I also really like how you handled POV in your spreads – community on one side, child on the other. Beautiful! Thank you!
February 5, 2023 at 2:41 pm
ritariebelmitchell
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it.
February 6, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Bethany Brown
this was such a fun way to think! thank you!
February 6, 2023 at 10:14 pm
Kelly Vavala
I like how you thought of. Different way to think about POV! Especially the University. Would never have thought of doing this but love how it evoked your different scenarios
February 7, 2023 at 10:02 am
Kaela Parkhouse
Thank you for your post!
February 7, 2023 at 2:28 pm
jaimegpetru
Love this exercise. I will definitely try it. Thank you!