Why choose multiple points of view to write historical fiction?

 There are many reasons to choose a multi-POV approach for your novel. Showing different perspectives can be a way to increase tension, enhance the theme, and highlight or contrast the choices each character makes. It can also be a useful way to show what is happening in different geographic locations or times for a fuller picture of the story or help subplots tie in more closely to the main plot.

Readers like to get close to the story and feel as though they really get to know the characters. Third-person POV provides the opportunity to go deep without some of the challenges of using first-person. It gives the reader the most access to a character’s thoughts and emotions and keeps them deep in the story while also allowing some narrator support.

If you want to write a page-turner, you’re going to have to put your beloved characters in dire circumstances. Preferably ones that highlight the internal trade-offs they have to make in sticky situations.

History is filled with interesting people and readers are eager to see them come alive on the page. The challenge is to make sure your historical characters are compelling to modern readers while also reflective of their historical world.