Monday, March 18, 2013

His or Hers?

Flickr Creative Commons
Here's a question for you all: generally speaking, do you prefer the hero or the heroine's point of view?

I find that I'm drawn to books that are more hero-centric.  I really enjoy being in the hero's head, and finding out what makes him tick.  This is not to say that I don't also like reading about the heroine, but I guess I'm just more fascinated by the hero.  I find men interesting, probably because they don't always react in ways that make sense to me :)

Paradoxically enough, it's often easier for me to write in the hero's point of view.  I think that's because I'm constantly questioning the character's motivations and actions.  I don't subject my heroine to that much scrutiny, since on a fundamental level I already 'get' her.

What about you?  Do you prefer to read the hero or the heroine's thoughts?  If you're a writer, which point of view is easier for you to write in?

16 comments:

  1. I don't innately prefer either POV. But I do want a deep, 3D character full of quirks and feelings. LOL! Like that helps anyone decide what to do with their book. ; )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good point--if the characters aren't fleshed out, it doesn't matter whose POV I'm reading!

      Delete
  2. I'm pretty neutral on this. I think that's why there's been a slew of books recently with alternating POV's -- the author is giving readers a chance to experience the story from both POV's. Like you, I often find writing from the male POV easier, but mostly because I was a big tomboy growing up. I find it easier to connect to my guy friends than my girl friends, and I think that shows when I'm writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here, Nickie--it's a lot easier for me to get along with guys most of the time.

      Delete
  3. Hmm, I think I like a good balance - especially if the author captures a male pov really well

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right--when the male POV is done well, it can be very good.

      Delete
  4. I don't really have a preference as long as the character is real and the POV the best one for the story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a whole other post--deciding which POV is best for the scene at hand :)

      Delete
  5. I like both. What I like is motivation, and when viewed from one POV, motivation of other characters, unless directly revealed by them, is filtered, frequently inaccurately, through the main character. That said, I love 1st person POV. And I enjoy writing each POV equally. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like reading well done first person POV. I can't write it well to save my life :)

      To me, the impressions of another character make for wonderful surprises when reading or writing in third person POV--you know your narrator is inherently unreliable on some levels, so it keeps you on your toes. :)

      Delete
  6. Hmmm, I honestly love both.
    It's the story that matters more to me. My first book is in a "Hers" POV, the second book is following a "His" in a third person voice, something like that lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Variety is the spice of life, or so they say! :)

      Delete
  7. That's an interesting question. My romance is hero-centric, I am in love with my hero, but I am currently trying to "like" my heroine.
    Maybe I am having a difficult time with my heroine because of my love for my hero...don't know.
    But I like to read about both. Case in point...Outlander. I like finding out what is what from Clare's POV but I really want to know more about what makes Jamie tick. Thus I wrote my book with two points of view, the hero and the heroine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you may have touched on something here... I love my heroes so much, I am hard on my heroines because I feel like I need to make them worthy of the hero. I'm sure there are authors that approach writing in the exact opposite way--making the hero worthy of the heroine.

      Don't even get me started on my deep and abiding love for Jamie Fraser! [g]

      Delete
  8. Good question, Lara! And one I don't really know the answer to, at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure you'll come up with an answer soon! :)

      Delete

Got something to say? Share with me! :)