Deep Point of View (Busy Writer's Guides, #9) by Marcy Kennedy

Deep Point of View (Busy Writer's Guides, #9) Reviews

• 
  Theresa Alan

  This is a fast read that is good to review while you’re writing your manuscript and again when you go back over to edit it.
  
  Writing in deep point of view, whether in first or third person, past or present tense, gives your reader the opportunity to experience the character’s world as s/he experiences it. This builds a strong emotional bond between your reader and your character’s story.
  
  I liked the examples Kennedy gave as well as her check list of things to look for when you’re editing your book. This is a great guide for anyone interested in writing strong POVs.
  
• 
  Hailey Rose

  By far one of the best Deep POV books I've read! So much useful information presented in a digestible way that didn't drag out in the least! I felt like the author was respecting my time by only providing the most important bits of information in the easiest, most readable way possible. I'll definitely be investing in more of her books!
• 
  Rachel

  After many revisions of my novel, I knew I still wasn’t done, but I didn’t know what to work on next. Feedback from a beta reader turned me onto the idea of “deep 3rd POV”, but I needed help figuring out what it was and how to do it.
  
  Deep Point of View by Marcy Kennedy came up on Amazon and had a small number of reviews, but all of them 5-star. After buying and reading the book, I completely understand why. I thought I’d been writing in close 3rd POV before, but this book showed me how much deeper I could get. Chapter by chapter, Kennedy explains all the ways storytelling can create distance between the reader and the characters, and how to remove them so a reader can settle right behind the eyes of the characters in the story. Looking for the specific words and phrases that she lists in the “Take it to the Page” section highlighted (literally) for me exactly where in my story I was creating unnecessary distance. Reading and re-reading the guidelines from the previous chapters on how to maintain Deep POV helped me to re-write my whole novel using far more interesting and emotionally connected details. I’d heard “Show, don’t tell” before, but Kennedy explains what exactly is the difference and how to catch yourself when you slip into the latter.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of how to use POV to write a more immersive reading experience, especially if you’re not looking to switch to a 1st person POV just to achieve it. This book revolutionized the way I think about point of view, “showing” details, and the art of telling the story, and was exactly what I needed to take my revisions to the next level.
• 
  Toi Thomas

  I am so happy my book club (The Insecure Writer's Support Group) decided to read this book. I've read other books about Deep POV before but none of them really sold me on the concept that this was a technique to be used all the time or for any book. The author explains in great detail the ways in which Deep POV is best used and lets the reader know that for certain things you can't use Deep POV and that's okay.
  
  I've read other helpful writing books before but this one succeeded in a way most others have let me down. It gives so many relevant examples of what to do and what not to do. The author didn't waste the reader's time explaining concepts not related to the book's topic but formatted the book in a way that allows the reader to visit an appendix to gain more insight if desired. I wish more how-to books were written this way.
  
  I like that the author took the time to confirm or debunk many myths about this method, which I found very helpful. Much of what she discussed is the main reason I haven't worked in this POV more.
  
  I can't wait to read more from this author. Seriously, I just downloaded two more ebooks.
  
  Highly recommended to aspiring writers and published authors at any level seeking to develop new skills or hone their writing.
• 
  Cathy

  This is a good, solid guide to deep POV. I like the author’s effective organization, and she presents enough examples to help readers understand how her deep POV guidelines impact story in important ways. I ordered five of her books, and I’m looking forward to reading the other four. Only one complaint: I found the chronic spelling of “all right” as “alright” very irritating. “Alright” is nonstandard and in my opinion (and in the opinions of many others in the writing/publishing world) incorrect.
• 
  Gene Turchin

  I don't normally recommend books on writing but Marcy Kennedy does a superb job with pragmatic points that are so helpful and insightful as to make this one of the most valuable books for anyone who hopes to become a fiction writer. I will certainly try other books by Marcy.
  The examples alone are worth looking at, giving the reader an opportunity to examine what actually differs between something well written and something with simple common mistakes.
• 
  Shari Weise

  An agent recommended I rewrite my book in a deep point of view. I'd never heard of the technique, so I purchased Marcy Kennedy's book. The months it took to re-write the book were worth it in the end. Marcy's book taught me the basic techniques of deep point of view. If I could give 1/2 stars, I would have given the book 4.5 stars. If there were more examples within the book, I would have given the book 5 stars.
• 
  Kirstie

  A thorough and well-explained book. Kennedy breaks down all the facets to help understand and then enhance your Deep POV.
  The best part is the 'take it to the page' section where she gives you direct actions to take to put what you've learned int practice.
  Based on this boo I would definitely read some of her other writers guides too.
• 
  Subject BGD

  This book was VERY well done. I struggle with reading non-fiction, as it has a tendency to be dry and sleep-inducing. This how-to kept me engaged and had some great examples for how to spot errors and strengthen character POV. It was short enough to not take up too much of my writing time, which is a huge plus. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series!
• 
  Emmett J.

  Quick easy read loaded with good information.
  
  I've been writing in deep pov for a while without knowing the name. Reading the book gave me something to hang my hat on. Also, I learned why I was struggling with aspects of deep pov. Being aware is the first biggest step to correcting those struggles.
• 
  Lisa Swinton

  Ms. Kennedy is very thorough in explanation and examples in this book to help the writer or novelist up their game with drawing the reader into the character's head and experience from their perspective.
  
  She's candid with a touch of humor.
  
  This is a useful book to add to your author tool box to up your game and supply your reader with an elevated experience.
• 
  Henry McLaughlin

  Very helpful for analyzing our writing and strengthening our characters and our stories.
  Plenty of examples with clear and concise explanations.
  I'll be referring to it a lot during the revising process.
• 
  Shea Ballard

  Great book!
  
  I had previously heard of Deep POV, but didn’t really know what that was. Now, I not only know, but feel I could apply it to my own writing. Definitely read this book if you want to learn Deep POV.
• 
  Courtney Kenney

  This book on writing deep POV is a gem
  
  I stumbled upon this book after getting a recommendation from a writer. I’m so glad I did because this is the way I’ve always wanted to write but nobody ever explained it so simply and clearly. Highly recommend!
• 
  Diana Corbitt

  This is a very good book if you just want to review the idea and not get into it super deeply. It's a very fast read. There are some examples, but I wish there were more examples. That said, I learned a few things and the book was a good refresher.
• 
  Jennifer Harbertson

  This book is descriptive and gives examples to really show what is meant by deep point of view. It has helped me to notice the effect of violating deep point of view more as well as giving me grounding to open up my own writing to deep point of view techniques.
• 
  Michelle Pickett

  
  This review was originally posted on Michelle K. Pickett's blog: These Words Tell a Story...
  
  I love writing-craft books. An entire shelf of my bookcase is dedicated to them. There’s only one problem… many writing books repeat information. An author might explain it in a different way, or use different illustrations and examples, but the truth of the matter is: out of every ten writing books I read, only one might have new, relevant information.
   
  So, I have this idea for a book. It has been percolating for a while. I have some notes, a crude outline, and even a chapter or two of the manuscript written. But, I just can’t figure out how to present the information in the way I want to without breaking a ton of writing “rules.” And, yes, sometimes it’s okay to break rules… but not all of them—and not in the same book.
   
  Enter: Deep Point of View (Busy Writers Guides, book 9) by Marcy Kennedy.
   
  

  
  I have one word for this book: AWESOME!
  

  
   
  Deep POV is the answer to my manuscript’s problems. In fact, when I shared my idea and concerns with another writing friend, she suggested I use deep POV. I said, “Yeah, that’s a great idea! Thanks!” But the truth is, I was really wondering how in the world deep POV would help me. I knew what it was, but I had no idea how to use it in my writing.
   
  

  
  How deep POV can improve an author’s writing…
  It creates a stronger emotional connection.
  It eliminates unintentional “telling.”
  It feels tighter and quicker in pace, even while using more words.
  It helps the reader forget they are reading.
  

  
   
  Deep POV—also known as deep penetration point of view—is the most intimate POV style. The author is nonexistent in this writing style, and the reader experiences the story from within the character’s mind. It’s an awesome way to tell a story… and difficult.
   
  Marcy Kennedy’s Busy Writers Guide to Deep POV answered so many of my questions. She gave solid, understandable written answers, followed by easy to follow real-life examples, and exercises.
   
  Not only does Kennedy describe and give examples of what Deep POV is, but she outlines the misconceptions of the writing style, which only furthers readers’ understanding of this often misunderstood and misused POV.
   
  There’s no way I can adequately give you a summary of all the information Kennedy presents. There’s just too much important information. But, no worries! The Busy Writers Guides are called “busy writers” for a reason… Kennedy understands that authors want to learn new techniques to further their craft, but ultimately we want to WRITE. So she compressed an enormous amount of information, picking out the most important bits, and presented it in 158 pages. But even though the book is short and I read it in one sitting, I’m rereading it. And I’ll probably reread it several times over the course of my writing career—that’s how much information is contained within the pages. More than I could ever read, assimilate, and remember with just one reading.
   
  

  
  Each book in the Busy Writer’s Guide series is intended to give you enough theory so that you can understand why things work and why they don’t, but also enough examples to see how that theory looks in practice. In addition, they provide tips and exercises to help you take it to the pages of your own story, with an editor’s-eye view. Most importantly, they cut the fluff so that you have more time to write and to live your life.
  

  
   
  After reading this book by Kennedy, I downloaded all of the Busy Writers Guides. I’ll review them here as I read them.
   
  

  
  If you’ve ever wondered about Deep POV, this is a must read. Deep Point of View by Marcy Kennedy gets my highest recommendation!
  

  
   
   
  Don't forget, today is the last day of my Birthday Celebration Book Sale and Giveaway! Don't miss out on the awesome price discounts.
  
  
  

  
  a Rafflecopter giveaway
  
  
  Read more of my reviews, inlcuding this one, on Michelle K. Pickett's blog: These Words Tell a Story...
• 
  Lisa Anne

  The best book on deep POV that I've read. There's a lot of meat to it. If you're looking for a book on deep POV, this is the one to get. But the author's marketing of her other books was annoying.
• 
  Steven Wilson-beales

  Exceptional, handy guide for would-be writers.
• 
  Angela

  Now I just have to practice what I learned.
• 
  George Moore

  This book presents a practical how-to guide to write in deep POV. I highly recommend it.
• 
  Traci Carter

  Really cleared up some key writing craft issues and questions for me. Appreciate the concise chapters and examples.
• 
  Amy

  This was a great book that really brought to light what it was that I was doing wrong. Better yet, she gave tips on how to fix the problems. Not just by removing filtering words, like felt, or saw, but how to find key words in your word document and how to operate in depth the find functions. It's a great book and I'm going to get more of them.
• 
  Paul Fleming

  Yet another great guide
  
  Marcy writes in such a way to make it feel as if she's imparting friendly guidance over a coffee, with her references and examples very easy to follow and understand....even for me!
  
  I have already invested in a number of her other guides as I just like her style and gained much from not only the main text of this one, but additional info from the summarised appendices which are snippets from her other titles, and very worthy of inclusion here.
  
  Highly recommended!!
• 
  Richard New

  Deep Point of View (A Busy Writer's Guide) by author Marcy Kennedy does a great job of explaining this sometimes confusing subject. In each chapter, the author goes straight to the point without wasting time on wordiness. She goes for the jugular every time, illustrating how to think and reorient yourself to the topic. If you're curious about what deep point of view is—and how to use it in your writing—this book is for you.
• 
  Jordan Summers

  I am quickly becoming a HUGE fan of Marcy Kennedy's writers' books. Any writer worth their salt never stops working on craft. Marcy has a way of describing things that simply make sense to me. She uses a lot of examples, which I personally need and covers things from various angles. I have recommended her books to any writer friend who'll listen. If you write, you need to grab her books. It's as simple as that.