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Archives > What is your preferred perspective in writing? (First person or Third?)

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message 1: by Elisabeth (last edited Apr 02, 2012 01:14PM) (new)

Elisabeth Wheatley | 13 comments I am wondering what you guys prefer to use when you write: first person (I was bitten by the fire-breathing chinchilla) or third person (Jodie was bitten by the fire-breathing chinchilla).

Personally, I prefer to write in the third person while "tracking" only one character's experiences. I tried writing in first person once, but I couldn't get past he first page.

What do you think? Do you find one to be easier than the other?


message 2: by [deleted user] (new)

I think it really depends on the characters, plot, style, and what you want out of the writing.

(There is already a topic called Point of View where we discuss the same thing, just so you know.)


message 3: by Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. (new)

Brigid ✩ | 11973 comments Mod
I almost always right in first person. I'm not sure why, I suppose it's just what comes naturally to me. Most of the time, it just feels like what's right for the story. When I write in first person, I tend to feel more connected with the character. Plus, I think first person allows more room for the author to develop a unique voice, since you have to capture the character in the way he/she thinks/speaks. However, the downfall of first person is that it can be limiting. That is, you usually have to stick to a single point of view. (Multiple first-person point of views are also possible, of course, but they can get confusing if there's more than two or three of them.)

There are a few circumstances under which I feel more comfortable writing in third person. For example, one of the stories I'm writing now has four main characters, and I knew writing four different first-person perspectives would probably get too hectic. Third person just seemed more natural and controlled.

So, it really depends on the story. I wouldn't say either is easier than the other, but I typically go with first person just because it's usually what feels right for my style and/or for the mood of the story.


message 4: by Grouphug (new)

Grouphug | 19 comments 1st person cause its like me, i can write as myself


message 5: by Krys (new)

Krys (krisslee) | 5015 comments Mod
I can comfortably write in either of them--with me... it doesn't really depend on the story, but on my mood when I write the story. If I'm in a third person mood at the beginning, it turns into third person. If I'm a first person mood at the beginning, it turns into first person. Also, I try to imagine various scenes throughout the novel, and whether or not I like them in first or third better.


message 6: by Krys (new)

Krys (krisslee) | 5015 comments Mod
Rebekka (ἈΝΆΓΚΗ) wrote: "Ooh, yes. I usually have a couple "big scenes" in mind and I think, "which POV would these scenes benefit from the most?" and structure the writing around that. :)"

Yeah! That's what I do a lot, as well.

Plus, some ideas just seem to sound better in either first or third person.


message 7: by Tayyaba (new)

Tayyaba (Tayyaba1) | 191 comments Most of the time I write in first person, it lets you become the character.


message 8: by Colby (new)

Colby (colbz) | 3211 comments I write first person a lot. I feel like the line where my character meets me is really blurred, because I always put some of my qualities in that character...good and bad. I feel much more connected to the character if I'm writing as them.


message 9: by [deleted user] (new)

I think it depends on the story and what works best, my story lines tend to be very character-oriented so 1st person seam to make the most sense. ..


message 10: by Mirvan. (new)

Mirvan. Ereon (mirvanereon) | 51 comments I prefer the first person for more intimate observations and the third usually if I want to describe the scenes more and also when i employ magical realism heavily.


message 11: by Krys (last edited Apr 03, 2012 06:16PM) (new)

Krys (krisslee) | 5015 comments Mod
Tayyaba♥♫ wrote: "Most of the time I write in first person, it lets you become the character."

See, one of the reasons I prefer to write in third person is due to the fact that I can't see myself as the character, if you know what I mean. I'm writing to tell the story of someone else; when I write in first person, I see it as getting into someone's head, but not "becoming" them, if that makes sense. I don't like associating my personality with my character's--experiences, sure, but I tend to try and make my characters completely different people.


message 12: by Tayyaba (last edited Apr 04, 2012 02:15PM) (new)

Tayyaba (Tayyaba1) | 191 comments Kriss wrote: "Tayyaba♥♫ wrote: "Most of the time I write in first person, it lets you become the character."

See, one of the reasons I prefer to write in third person is due to the fact that I can't see myself ..."


Yeah I totally get it. With writing in first person you don't try to influence the character with your own personality but it's more like stepping into the characters' shoes, seeing how they would react and what they would do next. It's kind of hard to explain, sorry!


Shreya=Drastically Random. Find the emoticon. | 1078 comments I find that first person ends in the characters turning into me. I have third person for my current novel and it's working. The character seems more real in third person, like somebody I would know or befriend.


message 14: by Beth (new)

Beth (nana_yaya) | 1 comments Sometimes I do write in third person if I am following multiple different characters....but other wises I will write in first person. I find it easier to develop a character when you are inside their head at all times....but that is just me.


message 15: by Cutter100 (new)

Cutter100 | 52 comments I prefer first person because I feel like I can really express the main character's thoughts and emotions best in first person. I'm doing third person with my current novel though, because I have multiple viewpoints and I'm worried if I did first person it would get confusing.


message 16: by Sophia (new)

Sophia | 64 comments I write in third person when the character who is more important is constantly shifting from character to character. Also, if I want to show the thoughts of multiple characters. Because it would be a pathetic excuse to say they can randomly mind read for no real reason now.
But, the benefit of first person is it's easier to become the character as you write. You're more likely to try to match your tone to the character's personalities and the descriptions of the events based off their opinions.


message 17: by [deleted user] (new)

I write in first person and stay with that person the whole time. I don't like reading books in third person, or books that switch viewpoints/main characters, so why would I like writing like that?


message 18: by Isaac (new)

Isaac | 8014 comments I really switch point of views. It really depends on how I start out writing or how it would sound in either point.


message 19: by [deleted user] (new)

Usually, when I get a story idea, I have some ideas for passages in the novel. These passages come into my head from a certain perspective, and I write in that perspective. Does that make sense?


message 20: by Isaac (new)

Isaac | 8014 comments Yeah.


message 21: by Elisabeth (new)

Elisabeth Wheatley | 13 comments Maxy wrote: "Usually, when I get a story idea, I have some ideas for passages in the novel. These passages come into my head from a certain perspective, and I write in that perspective. Does that make sense?"

Totally. I'm like that. :)


message 22: by Elliott (new)

Elliott | 22634 comments Mod
Maxy wrote: "Usually, when I get a story idea, I have some ideas for passages in the novel. These passages come into my head from a certain perspective, and I write in that perspective. Does that make sense?"

That makes a lot of sense.


message 23: by [deleted user] (new)

I'm a firsty all the way.


message 24: by Jasmine (new)

Jasmine (jazzyjams) I flip-flop between the two. It all depends on what I want it to sound like and overall which sounds better. I have this one story where I started out in third person, tryed the same manuscript first person, and then decided on third person in the end. Sometimes you have to try both.


message 25: by Isaac (new)

Isaac | 8014 comments ^This


message 26: by Shealea (new)

Shealea (shutupshealea) I almost always use first person point of view because it's much easier for me to write; the words just flow and progress smoothly because I can relate more to the character I'm writing about.

However, that doesn't mean I don't experiment with the third person point of view. I kind of want to be balanced at both.


message 27: by [deleted user] (new)

It depends on the purpose of the piece. If I care more about what the character's reaction is to the setting and/or plot, then I will usually use first person POV. I will also use this POV if narrative voice is a key part to the interest/success of the piece.

However, I am more accustomed to writing in third person, because it feels more natural for my genre and audience. If I were to write in first person, I would find myself writing things that I find less-than-professional in order to reach my audience (middle-grade).


message 28: by Phillip (new)

Phillip | 14 comments Well mine has first person but it goes into all of the characters pespective, like the kane chronicles


message 30: by Phillip (new)

Phillip | 14 comments yep


message 31: by Nepeta (new)

Nepeta Leijon | 348 comments I prefer second person, actually. One of the few out there, hehe. But I usually save it for fanfictions and short stories.

I actually like third person. That way, all the characters get a say and we know what they're all feeling. For example:

1st person: 'I looked at Jake and he was being a complete idiot.'

3rd person: 'Jill looked at Jake. In her eyes, he was being a complete idiot. But it wasn't Jack's fault that he had accidentally drank picante sauce!'


message 32: by Phillip (new)

Phillip | 14 comments Cool I tried using for one of my chapters[third person] and it is actually really useful.
But I really enjoy first though.


message 34: by Aria (new)

Aria Ahmer (viramage) I write in first, but third person can give you a better description between all characters and story.


message 35: by L (new)

L (themidstofthis) | 47 comments Third person. I like it cause it seems more flexible. And plus. I don't think like most narratives with firstperson, often times I don't relate to the character. You can cheat in third person alot by slipping firstpersonesque things into it, like italicized inner thoughts, or a diary or song--plus--you can get into all the characters heads.

I should try first person again. But I like third person.

If not, its good for authors to be adept in both--(haha and even second person for fun)


message 36: by Dana (new)

Dana (danachewy) | 735 comments Yeah, I agree with you, except with limited third person--

Omniscent- The dinosaur was really excited to eat Jake. Cinderella was scared and thought, Oh no!
Limited- The dinosaur was really excited to eat Jake. But Cinderella looked scared.

I understand why many people like first person. It is (when used properly) easy to connect and relate with the character, and you can often explore a lot of deep feelings.

But to be honest, I prefer third person.


message 37: by [deleted user] (new)

third person is easier for me to write but it depends on the story


message 38: by Sum (new)

Sum | 846 comments Sumaya! You and I have the same name!! Samantha is not my real name, actually!!! My mind is being blown apart!


message 39: by Dana (new)

Dana (danachewy) | 735 comments Cool!


message 40: by Tiffany (new)

Tiffany (ladyfalcon) | 41 comments Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but I prefer third over first person


message 41: by Noel (new)

Noel Ahlers (kitsu289) | 5 comments It all depends on what the character's plot and character is about, and if they're going to think interesting things and not bore us to death. I fancy third person and second person mostly, but first person does come in handy multiple times.


message 42: by Amreen (new)

Amreen | 39 comments I use both. I write a rough draft and select a few scenes (with overall story in mind) and write them in first person and then third person and decide which sounds better. So I use both. They both have their disadvantages and advantages and limitations.


message 43: by Mary (new)

Mary | 34 comments Shreya=Drastically Random. Find the emoticon. wrote: "I find that first person ends in the characters turning into me. I have third person for my current novel and it's working. The character seems more real in third person, like somebody I would know..."

agreed:D


message 44: by Poet in the Dark (new)

Poet in the Dark (poetinthedark) | 253 comments Thiiiiiirrrrd. It's just easier for me. I have one or two stories in first person, and one of them I'm not even sure is staying first person pov.


message 45: by Anastasia (new)

Anastasia (booksteainsanity) | 955 comments I think that, for me, first is better.


message 46: by sucre'd fiend (new)

sucre'd fiend (sucredfiend) | 79 comments I use both. It's easier for me when I wanna add more to the story to use first, but if I have multiple characters that contribute most to the story, I use third.


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