First person, third peson narrative, or third person limited.

[DWPetts]

Which do you prefer to read? Which do you prefer to write in?


Myself I enjoy Third Limited for both. First doesn't seem to allow me to immerse myself in the character, and any time there is a pespective change, it can be confusing if the author doesn't have very clear character veiw-points . Narrative is good but I find it a liitle broad at times. Limited allows the inner most thoughts and feelings to be known to the reader. Each perspective can know different information of have a completly different way of seeing the world. An exellent way to keep information from the reader until it it time to be revealed in dramatic fashion.

 

[kaal]

It's a rare first-person story that doesn't immediately turn me off. 3rd limited or omniscient are fine for me to read & write.

 

[Grinnel]

I love writing in first person, but only when I write what I know (or at least what I believe I know). My current WIP as an example - A PI who has bizarre luck, and who's wife and himself both do explosive searches with k-9's - is strongly based on my own life.

Other than that, he writes in a style - Third Person, Limited, I think - that allows him to at least occasionally get into the protagonist's head.

 

[DWPetts]

I love writing in first person, but only when I write what I know (or at least what I believe I know). My current WIP as an example - A PI who has bizarre luck, and who's wife and himself both do explosive searches with k-9's - is strongly based on my own life.

Other than that, he writes in a style - Third Person, Limited, I think - that allows him to at least occasionally get into the protagonist's head.

Ah.. one of the few times I have enjoyed first person was in a detective story. Not sure why but "first" does seem to lend itself well to that genre.

 

[AnyaKimlin]

I only care when the author gets the narrative style wrong in someway that jars with the story. I loved Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearne but personally did feel they would have been better in third limited as she didn't take advantage of first person.

My top ten reading list includes first person, third limited, second person and third omniscient Sunset Song is also on there which is a hybrid between all three narratives and is part of what I love of it.

I've got three main novel series on the go. A YA fantasy which I am writing in first person; an Urban Fantasy which once I get the hang of it will be third omniscient and a cosy mystery which is in very limited third from the POV of two characters.

I am personally finding the Urban Fantasy the hardest to get right and find a voice that works. My other stories have huge plots and huge characters so need to have a limited POV to keep them tight and not confusing. However, the Urban Fantasy is different it is a more limited plot with a lot fewer characters but each of those characters has a big role.

First person I find much more fun to write, in someways, as the characters tend to be more cantankerous and argumentative. Third limited they are less so and with third omni and second they are mostly biddable and do what I want.

 

[Bowler1]

I don't do first person myself but it's still a style that makes it into print and can bring you very close in on the main characters thoughts and feelings. I perfer 3rd person and I can switch to a good narrative when required.

I think we should read everything and understanding the differences in style is very important to improve and add to the writers tool box. No style should be beyond the pale. Anything that can be used to hammer home your story should be understood. It's then your choice if you use these tools or not.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

As a reader, I'm fine with any of these. For my own writing, I've only tried first person once, a long time ago. It wouldn't suit the kind of stories I usually write, but if ever a story comes along where it seems like it fits, I'd try it again.

I know we've discussed this more than once before, and there was a thread recently, but I'm too sleepy to look it up. If you are interested in more opinions, DWPetts, you might dig it up. It can't be too far down the page.

.



.

 

[DWPetts]

As a reader, I'm fine with any of these. For my own writing, I've only tried first person once, a long time ago. It wouldn't suit the kind of stories I usually write, but if ever a story comes along where it seems like it fits, I'd try it again.

I know we've discussed this more than once before, and there was a thread recetly, but I'm too sleepy to look it up. If you are interested in more opinions, DWPetts, you might dig it up. It can't be too far down the page.

thanks TE, new to writing and forums in general, I'll have a look

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Well, having revived a bit, I decided to look for the discussion myself, and I can't find it. I thought it was a separate thread, but it may have been a lengthy digression in another. POV is discussed so often here, it may be impossible to dig it up.

A pity, because (as I remember it) several people expressed a very strong preference for one or the other.

 

[The Ace]

For reading, I've no real preference either way, but I feel more comfortable writing in first - resorting to third when I feel it necessary for the story to work better.

Of course, stories sometimes develop in third.

 

[DWPetts]

For reading, I've no real preference either way, but I feel more comfortable writing in first - resorting to third when I feel it necessary for the story to work better.

Of course, stories sometimes develop in third.

Don't think I've ever read something that switched from first to third or visa versa. Honestly I' not sure if I would like it. Sounds like it might scramble the brain a little. Do you have any thing posted somewhere to sample said technique.

 

[kaal]

Don't think I've ever read something that switched from first to third or visa versa. Honestly I' not sure if I would like it. Sounds like it might scramble the brain a little. Do you have any thing posted somewhere to sample said technique.

Haven't got an example but you might do it (were you so inclined) if you were writing a 3rd limited story & switch to 1st for a flashback, for example.
Even with my general distaste for 1st, I have written some flash fiction in 1st (the story demanded it) and I can imagine a story situation where the immediacy of a scene might need the switch.
Clumsy example:

Kaal walked down the corridor in the hospital, toward the private room where his lover was being cared for. As always, this triggered memories from his childhood...

<i>'I don't wanna go, again!' I'd hated every time I'd been forced to visit my father..</i>

You get the idea.

K

 

[Grinnel]

Well, having revived a bit, I decided to look for the discussion myself, and I can't find it. I thought it was a separate thread, but it may have been a lengthy digression in another. POV is discussed so often here, it may be impossible to dig it up.

A pity, because (as I remember it) several people expressed a very strong preference for one or the other.

I believe you'll find it buried in the middle of Toolbox in the Writing Resources section

 

[Dante DiBenedetto]

It's difficult for me to get into a First Person book. The ones I'm usually okay with are typically dialogue heavy.

 

[subtletylost]

I tend to write in first and because of that, it's hard for me to write in third. I do do so when I either don't know the character well enough for first or the story wouldn't work in first.

When it comes to reading as long as it has a story that interests me, I could careless what point of view it is.

 

[Galacticdefender]

I always write in third. Sometimes I'll write characters' thoughts in first person Italics though.

 

[monsterchic]

About 95% of my writing is first person, and if an author can take me into the character's mind, it's great. Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins