Comments on: First person vs. third person

By: Dave Stukas

Dave Stukas — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 16:04:37 +0000

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.

By: Zarren Kuzma

Zarren Kuzma — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:20:23 +0000

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.

By: Jeremy Szal

Jeremy Szal — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 06:06:45 +0000

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!

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 02:58:05 +0000

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.

By: Mike Hoogland

Mike Hoogland — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:55:30 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:17:58 +0000

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.

By: Jackie Kogan

Jackie Kogan — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 15:55:53 +0000

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.

By: Greg Jolley

Greg Jolley — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 15:07:32 +0000

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

By: Mike Hoogland

Mike Hoogland — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:53:27 +0000

Thanks all! Good feedback–so far it seems like third person is preferred.

Keep the comments coming!

By: Stacy McKitrick

Stacy McKitrick — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 03:04:56 +0000

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.