Finding your narrative voice is one of the most important, and often most challenging, aspects of writing fiction.
It’s what makes your storytelling unique, setting the tone for your novel and shaping how readers connect with your characters.
However, voice is often confused with point of view (POV), the narrative perspective from which you choose to tell your story. First-person, third-person limited, or omniscient each has its strengths and challenges.
I have tried two approaches. First-person for modern fiction (both my published novels) and third-person limited for my long-paused historical novel. I am more comfortable telling a contemporary story with the former, although that style did not feel appropriate for a historical novel.
So, how do you choose the right one? And how do you develop a distinct voice within it? Let’s break it down.