Currently, I'm plotting out a book, but I feel uncertain if one of the point of view characters should be in it. The story follows the main trio rescuing said POV character from an organization two of the characters had past ties to. I am writing from one main character's POV, but which occasionally switches to the POV of the other side character. I feel like the POV character could provide an interesting insight into what's going on inside the organization and build up important plot points and dramatic irony, such as a part where one of the minor villains betrays the main antagonist. However, I don't really want to have a damsel-in-distress plotline where the POV character feels like a plot device and nothing more. I'm wondering if some other kind of motivation could spur the characters to start working against the organization? Or should I keep this character, and if so, should I or should I not have their POV?
My advice, is think about what's going on in your world at any given moment, in any given place, then pick the POV that will most impactfully show that moment.
For example, I stick mainly to one OC POV, but there are times when I've switched to minor side character, or even invented an entirely new character just to show that moment. I don't know if this really answers your question, but I hope it helps! If you want more of an answer, just ask, I'll be happy to answer any questions you have :)
I would keep the side OC's pov but only for specific meaningful parts… like let the reader have information about what happens inside the organization to keep them intrigued but only once in a while so that the reader can still speculate what's going on and still be surprised when the to pov's come together
As for not wanting the side character to turn into that "damsel in distress" as long as their not just like chilling in a prison cell every time you switch to their pov, then I think it'll be fine. I don't really know your detailed plot or anything about the side character, but if you havent already I would suggest adding some defining traits to the side character to make sure their personality isn't damsel-y or make them have defining plot points where they're helping with the eventual escape.
I hope that helps and made sense?! :)
Thank you for the advice! It helped a lot, and I think I know where I want to go with the POV now. :))
