December 08, 2015 
mhoogland 
It seems like I’ve been receiving a lot of manuscripts/sample chapters written in the first person lately, and while this is absolutely fine if it works for that particular story/genre, I wanted to use this blog post as an opportunity to explain some common misconceptions about the different narrative points of view.
- The idea that a third person narrator is not as intimate as a first person narrator is false. When I ask authors why they chose to write in first person, the response usually has to do with telling an intimate story. A third person narrator can be just as intimate—he/she can express the thoughts, fears and dreams of the character, as well as take a bird’s eye view of the action, which leads me to my next point
- First person isn’t easier to write than third person. In fact, you could argue the opposite. As mentioned, writing in the third person grants you a lot more freedom—it allows you to write a story from any perspective you want. On the other hand, first person narratives can severely limit the author’s options. The author can’t write about events that the character doesn’t witness or the emotions and thoughts of other characters. It can be restrictive. Worse yet, if a reader doesn’t connect with a character’s voice, that kills the book right there. But perhaps most difficult of all, I find that writers tend to overemphasize emotions, which quickly becomes unbearable. Don’t, I repeat, DON’T put me in a glass case of emotion.
- Third person isn’t necessarily better than first person. While it should seem clear by now that I prefer the third person, it is in no way, shape, or form the better point of view. Certain genres work very well in first person, particularly YA. Furthermore, some books just work in first person regardless of genre. Think about your classic unreliable narrator, Holden Caulfield (although The Catcher in the Rye would probably be considered YA nowadays). The Martian and The Bookseller, and The Rosie Project were great in the first person…or so I’ve heard (only actually read The Martian). First person can work, don’t get me wrong. I just prefer third person.
I’d like to hear from our readers. Which point of view do you prefer to read? To write? Why?
Third person – although I would have answered differently when I was in high school (a loooong time ago). Back then, I wanted to be sucked into the world of a book and the easiest way to know that was happening was by identifying with a first-person narrator. Also, teenagers can be selfish. I imagined all those “I”s were me.
Now that I’m older and have better reasons for doing things, I like the breathing room third person gives the reader. It’s immediate when you want it, and distant when you don’t.
Also, everything I wrote in high school used first person. Everything I write now uses third person. Seems my writing life has followed my reading life!
No preference, either writing or reading. When I write, I generally don’t make a conscious choice to use on POV over another, I write what feels right for that particular story. I will say that I find omniscient the most difficult POV to write, however; I have a tendency to want to be close to my characters, whether 1st or 3rd.
I prefer 3rd person, especially in a romance. And I write in 3rd because I write romance. I like to know what both characters are feeling/thinking. I also like 3rd person in a thriller/suspense because I find knowing what the villain is doing can make the book more suspenseful.Most of the time I stay away from 1st person (especially if it\’s labeled a romance), even though some of my favorite series are written that way (although they\’re more like urban fantasies). The voice has to catch me on the first page and that\’s not happening so much anymore.
Thanks all! Good feedback–so far it seems like third person is preferred.
Keep the comments coming!
All good points and thank you.
I work in both. The POV choice is not a style concern as much as decision on which flavor of voice we want for the story.
All the best,
Greg
I\\’ve been finding in the books I\\’ve read lately that first person is essential when he/she is revealed (fairly far down the line preferably) to be unreliable. When the bells go off I find myself stepping back from this person I\\’ve come to trust as the storyteller and get a broader view of the story. Very pleasant discovery usually, but tricky for an author. It has to be clear to the reader, upon discovery, that in retrospect breadcrumbs have been left along the way that make this unreliability believable and that it is not a trick by the author.
I was at a writing conference where an agent commented that if the POV is done well, you don\’t notice 1st person or 3rd person while you are reading. I\’d say whatever works is best. The Martian is an example where both were used well in difference chapters. The mission log device was particularly effective for the first person sections.
I agree wholeheartedly
I adore reading first person and it\’s natural for me to write in it as well. However, based on beta-readers comments on my last work, I ended up switching the entire manuscript to third person. It seems my enjoyment of first person is the minority.So, did I switch to third person because other people told me to? Not at all. I switched because my readers were right. The story was better told in a third person POV. I was able to add in description that would have seemed ridiculous for a narrator in first person to notice and scenes that couldn\’t have been done in first.All of that being said, I still love reading first person. I suppose some things never change.
Honestly, it all depends on the story and the character themselves. I’ve read some really great first person stories and some great third person ones. I write in both and they both have their advantages.
Something an agent told me, though, which I completely agree with: is that first person is completely locked in character. It doesn’t allow as much straight “telling” vs. “showing,” because everything the reader is told is colored by the narrator’s point of view. With 3rd person there’s room for maneuver, but none whatsoever with 1st person. I thought that was pretty interesting, and it certainly changed my view.
I think, though, it’s always good to dip your toes in both, just to see what it’s like.
My two cents!
I don’t think there is such a thing as better or worse when it comes to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person. They each have very unique functions, and there is unquestionable merit in learning to utilize each form.
That said, I think the default is 3rd person. To me, there has to be a justification for using another narrative point of view related to the perspective of the character.
My first six published books were third person. I thought it was the only way to express the internal thoughts of the main character. I\’ve now written a sci-fi comedy in the third person. I found it liberating. The third-person voice lets me get into the heads of the various characters, while still remaining focused on the protagonist. The third-person voice gets to say things that shed light on how the characters think and behave–but even better–that voice gets to make direct commentary on them, illuminating them even more. I will probably not write in the first person again, but never say never. It depends on what method best tells the story.