Samuel asked James P. Sumner:

Hi James, I've started the Ardian Hell series. I'm a big spy fiction fan. A question. You use the first person narrative perspective, something rare in this day and age. What would you say is the secret to a good first person told story and what does it offer you compared to third person?

James P. Sumner Hi Samuel,

Thank you for your question!

For me, a story told in the first person lives or dies on the strength of the character. The story, in a way, is secondary to the protagonist. Because events in the novel unfold in real time, through the eyes of your main character, you need to develop a strong voice for your hero. The story is told not through narrative, but through inner dialogue and conversation. If the reader isn't invested in your character, they won't care what that character does.

It has its pros and cons compared to the more typical third person perspective, but in my opinion, where it limits a more broader storytelling experience, it provides the reader with a much deeper connection to the character, which, going back to my earlier point, is important because they are what drives the story. Knowing how your character's mind works, how they think, why they make the decisions they make... it makes them more realistic, more accessible and easier to relate to. As a reader, I prefer that over long-winded, scene-setting narrative, so as a writer, I tried to make it a more engaging experience, so the reader felt as if they were ducking bullets alongside Adrian Hell.

flag