Stay grounded in your character’s perspective while weaving in external clues that enrich your story
Show Only What Goes on Inside Your POV Character’s Head
In deep point of view (POV), readers live inside your character’s mind. They see the world through your character’s eyes, hear what they hear, and feel what they feel. That means your POV character cannot know what’s going on elsewhere unless they directly experience it or receive information through some plausible channel.
This restriction may seem limiting, but in truth, it’s a powerful tool. It allows you to immerse your readers in the character’s reality, and when done well; it brings both emotional depth and narrative intimacy to your story.
But what if you, the writer, want to foreshadow events or give readers a glimpse of the bigger picture?
That’s where technique and subtlety come into play.
Devices to Deliver Outside Information—Naturally
Your POV characters can’t know what they haven’t seen or heard, but they can learn about events through logical channels. Use these to pass on information while remaining true to their perspective:
- Phone calls, letters, texts, emails, tweets
- Media: TV, radio, newspapers, blogs, online news
- Dialogue: Conversations, arguments, gossip, interrogations
Choose what makes sense within the scene and the tone of your story.
How to Use These Devices Seamlessly
Rather than dumping information, insert it casually, almost like background noise. Your character may even ignore or misinterpret it. That’s fine. The point is to plant a seed in the reader’s mind.
Example: Planting a Hint of War
Mary is obsessed with her new date, John. She’s not paying attention to world events.
Mary flicked through the TV channels. Peace talks failed, a reality show aired yet another eviction, and more severe weather was on the way. But all she could think about was why John hadn’t returned her texts.
In that moment, the reader catches a hint that something serious is brewing, something Mary herself doesn’t care about yet. That contrast builds dramatic irony.
Example: Burying Information in Context
At last, Mary found the article she was looking for, squeezed between a piece about job openings at the local armory and an Army career ad. Nestled in the corner was a tiny paragraph about John’s appointment to the school governorship.
This not only updates the reader on John but also hints at a broader military buildup without hitting them over the head.
Using Dialogue to Reveal Without Telling
Characters often reveal more than they mean to, especially through casual conversation. This can be a successful way of feeding readers information while staying in deep POV.
Example: Gossip with Purpose
“What should we get John for his birthday?” Mary asked.
Suzie scratched her head. “He needs something to cheer him up. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but his wife’s having an affair with his boss. A bottle of whiskey? Or something for his garden?”
Here, the important information isn’t what Mary is saying; it’s what Suzie reveals unintentionally, which also paints her as a gossip.
Or:
Mary opened the photo album. “Is that Suzie? She looks different.”
“This was before the nose job,” Grandma said. “My first husband was a cosmetic surgeon. But look at John; doesn’t he look happy here?”
Again, the reader gleans background information without needing a narrator to explain it. These snippets build layers.
Reflect the POV Character’s Voice in Your Narration
How do your characters think and talk?
- Are they highly educated and with a formal vocabulary?
- Do they use short, blunt phrases?
- Are they emotional, sarcastic, analytical, or poetic?
Let that influence—not dictate—your narrative style. You’re not writing direct speech throughout the prose, but your word choice, tone, and sentence rhythm should echo the character’s voice.
For instance:
John, analytical and concise:
Mary wasn’t answering. Four hours, three missed calls, no reply. Something was off.
Mary, dreamy and distracted:
Her phone buzzed again. John. She smiled at the daisies on the table, wondering if he liked flowers too.
This subtle tailoring deepens character immersion.
Dialogue that Shows, Not Tells
Instead of saying John was impatient, show it:
“How much longer do you need?” John asked. “Please hurry.”
Or instead, John was scared: “I don’t like this,” John whispered. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
Their words reveal their emotions without the narrator intervening.
When writing in deep POV, stay anchored in your character’s mind. They don’t know what’s going on elsewhere—but they can catch snippets, misunderstand things, or hear rumors. Use external clues sparingly and naturally, and always filter them through the lens of the POV character.
That’s how you maintain intimacy while driving the story forward.