Thursday, January 20, 2011

First or third person?

I just wanted your opinion today on which you preferred. I have a couple of ideas for some fun short stories, but was not sure which view to use. I have written both ways and kind of prefer both reading and writing third person myself. The last few books I have read have been first person and I really enjoyed them, so this just adds to the confusion.

I plan on writing/editing a couple of really short (hopefully under 500 words, but they could take off) excerpts or ideas or whatever this weekend. I'll do one in each style and put them up next week.

Other than that, if there are any questions or topics you want me to comment on tomorrow, just leave them down in the comment section.

Random quote: "Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." -Jane Howard

12 comments:

  1. I like both, but it depends on the story I'm telling. If it's a female MC I tend to lean toward first person, whereas if it's male, third person.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am used to 3rd so i guess that pops into my mind, but i've read some really great stuff in 1st person too. it's like camera angles in a movie, how close do you want to focus on your character for the piece(s) you're writing. each piece will probably have a different rationale for why you picked your pov.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It depends, for me. I tend to switch between the two for different stories, based on the characters and the setting.

    I like the quote!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Except for two stories I wrote, I've always gone with third person and in all honesty, one of those had a shifting perspective. Changing from character to character and having a larger "view" of the scene helps me write. I guess it's another one of those things where you have to go with what works, for both the story and yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Depends on what kind of story I'm reading! I like to read both. I like to write 3rd. But it really depends on the type of story you write/read.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, I write a LOT, and I've found that in short stories, it's better to use third person, while in longer stories, such as novels, it's better to use first person.

    Hope this helps! (And I am DYING to read your story, so you better post it here)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hrm....Third person is preferred, but I'm a first person meself. I used to write third person, but it sounded sort of childish (that might be a bit of an understatement there :)) and I would always flow back into first person without realizing it. So, first person, definitely!

    Have fun with your stories-can't wait to read 'em!

    ReplyDelete
  8. How cool!
    I hope you post your stories!
    I like first person, but when I'm writing on certain topics it just feels too personal, but that's a good thing in stories because then the reader kinda feels a personal connection to you and that's great! I usually go for 3rd person. I'm going to school to be a writer & in all of my assignments, I end up using 3rd. My instructor says to use whichever one feels right to you then you can always go back if you have a change of mind. Anyways, when I'm reading I usually prefer 1st person.

    Well, I so can not believe I thought she was a wedding planner. A few min. after I commented that, I thought what an idiot! Lol. It came to me then, but it was too late. lol I don't know what I was thinking. Sorry about that.

    Well CONGRATS on the engagement! That's so sweet. :)

    Talk to ya soon :)
    Kendra

    ReplyDelete
  9. four manuscripts later -MG, YA, female protag, male protag - and they've all been first person. three are past tense. one is present.

    but my fifth manuscript (the one i started for NaNo) is third person....and let's just say....there's a reason i didn't finish nano.

    good luck with your projects!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I always figured I'd write in third person, but as soon as my fingers struck the keys I found myself in first, for whatever reason.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Depends on the voice. If the character can be annoying at times, I'd rather them be third person. If they are characters with deep, internal struggles, I often want to hear their thoughts. But I never want to be bogged down in their head.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's common for new writers to begin writing in 1st person, because it fixes the story's perspective. Was definitely true for me. Check out Method and Madness, by Alice LaPlante for good info on developing craft.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on my, well, thoughts.