All About Deep Third POV

First up: NO, deep third POV is not some kind of porno act. Wash your brain out with soap. Outrageous.

It is however something you’re going to want to know how to do if you’re writing a novel. Deep Third POV is a type of third person perspective (she, he, they) that creates an immersive experience.

This is because Deep Third POV closely follows a single character’s consciousness, thoughts, sensory experiences and emotions. In short, the reader feels like they’re ‘behind the character’s eyes’ and even inside their body.

Think of it like a video game: as the writer, you hold the controls. You make the character see, do and feel things … which in turn should make the reader ‘see’ and feel the character and their actions.

The reason Deep Third POV is so powerful is that it reduces the ‘psychic distance’ between the reader and the character. As the writer, you are not merely describing things, you are plunging the reader into the character’s world.

But how do authors write in Deep Third POV … I’ve rounded up everything you need to know. Ready? Let’s go!

What Deep Third POV Actually Is

Most authors know the difference between first person (‘I …’) and third person instinctively (‘she, he, they …’) intuitively. They will have noticed that

• Some books use one POV, while others use a different one
• Some novels even use both POVs, depending on which character they’re concentrating on
• They may even notice some genres or styles tend to use first or third person more often
• And this may – or may not! – relate to the tenses being used in the novel

But beyond that, most writers don’t know much more. I remember I was the same, back when I started my novel writing journey. I figured I might as well go with what I was most comfortable with … right?

WRONG!  Colour me surprised when I discovered there’s actually three different types of third person …

• Standard Third (sometimes called ‘omniscient narrator’): Observes from outside.

• Close Third: Mostly inside the character’s head, some ‘outside’ narration allowed.

• Deep Third: Fully inside the character’s head, everything is filtered through them.

Why Writers Use Deep Third POV

We’ve all heard the saying ‘getting inside your character’s head’. Deep Third is the best way of doing that, especially in the 2020s, because emotional truth and authenticity is highly prized.

Deep Third creates that emotional depth, enhancing the character’s arc or journey in the story. It also allows readers to experience whatever the character is going through, literally and emotionally. What’s not to like?

Deep Third Examples 

Want some examples of each types of third person POV mentioned in the last section? No problem …

i) Omniscient Narrator: Mia walked down the alley, glancing over her shoulder. The alley was dark and quiet, with only the sound of dripping water.

As you can see, the ‘distance’ from Mia is HIGH … I am describing events from that external perspective. The reader only knows what I choose as the narrator to reveal. This is less immersive, especially on an emotional level.

ii) Standard Third: Mia’s heart raced as she walked down the alley. Footsteps echoed behind her. Was someone following her? She gripped her bag tighter and forced herself to keep moving.

This kind of POV sticks closely to one character’s perspective, conveying some thoughts and feelings. In other words, it combines external narration with some brief insight into the character’s inner world.

This means the distance between the reader and character is MEDIUM … We mostly know what the character knows, but some minor narrative context may be added.

iii) Deep Third: Mia’s chest tightened. Footsteps – close, too close – pounded behind her. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Her fingers dug into her bag strap as her stomach twisted.

As you can see from these illustrative examples, this one is the most immersive. Everything is filtered through a single character’s consciousness. Thoughts, emotions and sensory perceptions … you name it.

The distance between the reader and the character is very CLOSE … We are ‘inside the character’s head’.

How to Write in Deep Third POV

That said, you don’t want to overdo it either. Make it TOO emotional and it feels like overkill. Like anything, balance is key! Here’s what you need to remember …

• It’s all about perceptions. The 5 senses – sight, sound, taste, feel, touch – are key here. Less is more though!
• Avoid ‘head hopping’. Utilise interior thoughts naturally and don’t go overboard. Don’t jump from one character to another’s POV within the same scene or chapter. (Yes, yes Jane Austen and all the greats did it … but they tended to write in omniscient narrator. So there!).
• Show, Don’t Tell. Ugh, I hate this adage … think of it as ‘DRAMATISE, don’t tell.’ In other words, instead of writing ‘she was angry’, think about how anger SHOWS UP literally. What does it look and feel like? What might it make your character DO?
• Keep it consistent. Your character has a personality, back story, role function and motivation in the story. Make sure you write their POV in such a way that is consistent, don’t go off at a tangent.

Last Points

So next time you’re choosing a POV for your novel or short story, think about giving Deep Third a whirl. Don’t be afraid to let events filter through a single character’s experiences … Just make sure you stay consistent and true to your character’s personality and worldview.

Good Luck!

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