Something I’m seeing more often now is the split viewpoint. One chapter is told from her perspective, the next from his, so readers get both sides of the story.
In my own books, I usually stick with one viewpoint, often the female character’s, whether I’m writing in first or third person. In romance, I particularly enjoy the mystery of not knowing what the other person is thinking. After all, that’s how it works in real life.
There are still plenty of books written this way. The other day, though, I came across one where the viewpoints weren’t clearly separated. They switched within the same paragraph, and I found it confusing because I was still following the first character’s thoughts.
Which do you prefer? Or, as a reader, does viewpoint matter to you as long as it’s a good story?
I’m noticing something else, too: storytelling with the emphasis on telling.
I’ve come across authors who tell us what happens without letting their characters speak or giving readers the chance to feel what those characters are feeling. That approach can sometimes work, but in a romance, I want to experience the emotions alongside the characters. The more an author draws me into those moments, the more I enjoy the story.
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