McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
First verses Third
OZ:
I will probably repeat a lot of what's already been said but...
Third person is allows you freedom. It is easier to fill in back story or to build tension by telling what the bad guys are doing. If you like multiple story lines that all converge at various points, third person allows you to do this.
When you talk to other people you talk in the first person ( at least most of us do ) Because of this it is a much more comfortable and "natural" way to write for most.
meg_evonne:
How about you? Have written in First before? Do you have a more comfortable handle on 3rd?
As Shecky said, "What sounds right to you?"
The story, you say, is screaming 1st, but you think its choppy, right? Is that because you haven't written a lot of 1st POV? Are you naturally more comfortable in 3rd?
If so, then you can decide to challenge your 1st POV writing, or stick with what is more comfortable. I would point out that 3rd can get very zoomed in on your main character, and some would argue it can be as close and emotional as 1st.
Tell us why you think your 1st is choppy. Maybe you want to post a couple chapters of the 'choppy' version for us to ponder on?
Either way, happy writing.
Apocrypha:
--- Quote from: meg_evonne on July 08, 2011, 02:18:18 AM ---
Tell us why you think your 1st is choppy. Maybe you want to post a couple chapters of the 'choppy' version for us to ponder on?
--- End quote ---
Well, post it somewhere else, then put the link here. I think, but I could be mistaken, we're not allowed to actually post our own work here directly. :)
meg_evonne:
Yes, but excerpts are okay. So have you written a lot of 1st? Have you resolved the issue? Was the thread helpful?
Nickeris86:
Sorry i never posted back my bad >.>
Yeah this thread was helpful, i am going to write out the prologue in first and third person and see how the compare, will probably ask for volunteer readers after i am done.
I haven't done a whole lot of writing lately, and by that i mean absolutely none lol, but when i will soon.
And no i have not written first before, only third, but i like first person a lot when i read it. if its done right it makes me feel more connected to the character.
Three of my favorite first person novels are:
Dresden files duh
Anita Blake vampire hunter, at least when she actually had moral controversies and acted like a human being rather than a series of orifices to be filled.
and the Stare Hatchling, though its been so long i can't remember if this was a first person book.
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