10 years later I want to build off of a story I wrote...

[Oedipus_Dreams]

The issue is, that I wrote the original in first person. I really feel like this limits where I can reach descriptively.

If the I picked it back up in 3rd person, would it really stand out that much from the first story? Anyone have any experience changing the narrator? thoughts?

 

[Djmac1031]

I did a short series that started in the 1st person, male perspective, but to continue it I needed to get into her head but didn't feel comfortable writing a female 1st person, so made part 2 in the third person but could still capture her thoughts.

My readers didn't seem to mind at all, and I made the third chapter in the third person perspective as well.

 

[PennameWombat]

The issue is, that I wrote the original in first person. I really feel like this limits where I can reach descriptively.

If the I picked it back up in 3rd person, would it really stand out that much from the first story? Anyone have any experience changing the narrator? thoughts?

Well, it was ten years ago. So you'd have to direct folks to it for them to even see it.

But, to your point, I did a 'trilogy' in first person ("Carole" series, first entry Carole at the Art Lecture), all three written in the first person POV of my male MC (Peter).

I wrote 'branching' sequels from that (related stories that picked up from the end of the original trilogy), but Adrift in Space was a direct sequel that followed Peter and Carole and was in third person limited, still from Peter's POV, but third instead of first. I didn't change the narrator, but I changed the style and did pull back. No one's ever commented on that aspect and the overall scores have been good.

I regularly use 'rotating' third person limited, where I alternate character POVs with each section. You just need to be careful to make clear to the reader who the POV is on when it changes.

 

[Quinn_McMullen]

A lot of mainstream authors jump back and forth between points of view. Brad Meltzer is one excellent example.

I think if the writing is quality, then the reader won't mind.

 

[KeithD]

I don't think there's be any problem in changing tenses. I've done it in a single story when I thought it was the best way to do it. I section the changes off, though. In different works, written years apart? I don't see any problem.

 

[SimonDoom]

In most cases, I think it makes sense to be consistent with one's point of view. But this case is different. After 10 years, if you switch to third person POV, my guess is nobody will care. If you think it will make the story better, then do it!

 

[Emirus]

If the sequel is well written, easy to understand, and doesn’t contain (too many) silly mistakes then I’m sure the reader will accept it. Unless it will stand on its own as a story I would refer them to the first story as well. I’d you’re really unsure put in a prologue telling the reader why you decided to write it in third person as against first.

You’ll only know if you’ve got it right after you’ve written it and if you think you’ve hit the target then I’m sure the reader will agree.