How to Write in First Person

[Matt]

So I've been going over my story with an editor and we decided the story would work best in first person writing. I'm a big fan of reading first person, yet I'm kind of new to the writing style.

Could someone give me a few examples of first person in past tense as well as present tense? I'm hoping to do this story in present tense. It's a YA, supernatural fantasy.

[Jessica]

I LOVE writing in first person present tense! It's honestly so much fun and you get to "become" the character. I don't know any examples offhand, but I do have some tips!

Make sure you really know your character, because first person is an intimate look into a single character's thoughts, emotions, and of course deep dark secrets. Also, for first person present tense anyway, you have to think carefully about if the story is right for it. If you're writing a high octane action, first person present tense is great. A slow burn narrative about lost love of friendship...not so much. First person present tense feels very immediate, so you only want to use it if your characters are in a very stressful situation. My book is about zombies, and I wanted it to feel like the MC could die at any moment, so it was a good fit for me. Hopefully that's at least a little helpful!

-Jessica

[Quantum]

Matt wrote: "So I've been going over my story with an editor and we decided the story would work best in first person writing. I'm a big fan of reading first person, yet I'm kind of new to the writing style.

..."

What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World -- middle grade sci-fi. A really Well-crafted and tight story. I've learned a lot from it. 5 stars. My daughter recommended it to me. I'm pretty sure that it's first person. Can't quite remember wven though I finished it yesterday! ?_?

[Matt]

Thanks for the comments guys. Yes, first person directly from the characters view is what I'm trying to improve. Sometimes I get it confused with talking to an audience.

[Elisa]

Divergent and Hunger Games are in first person present tense. I never read them fully (guilty of just watching the movies instead) but they are written fairly well from the bits that I did read IMO

[Quantum]

Elisa wrote: "Divergent and Hunger Games are in first person present tense. I never read them fully (guilty of just watching the movies instead) but they are written fairly well from the bits that I did read IMO"

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print has a chapter on POV and talks about first -person. Have you read that chapter yet, Elisa? Do you think it's too introductory?

[Kevis]

Since you're writing supernatural fantasy, you may want to check out the following books (if you haven't already). Both are pretty good representatives of the style of writing you want to study.

(1st Past)

(!st Present)

Personally, I prefer 1st person past tense. But 1st person present is great too since it lends an immediacy/urgency to the story. Whatever way you decide to go, take Jessica's advice and make sure you fully understand your character. If his/her voice doesn't come through in the prose, then it defeats the purpose of writing in 1st person POV.

[Johanna]

May I just say if you don't pretty much thoroughly understand all your characters, you probably have some work to do.

[Matt]

Kevis wrote: "Since you're writing supernatural fantasy, you may want to check out the following books (if you haven't already). Both are pretty good representatives of the style of writing you want to study.

[..."


Thank you for the suggestions.