1st person vs 3rd person POV

[zangetzu]

Hey guys

Alright, I'm sitting at my desk writing my story (handwritten, yes) when I'm faced with a disastorous question. I figured I'd leave it to the readers and authors to puzzle over this.

Should I write my novel, an erotic thriller, in 1st person, 3rd person or half-half?

Alright, first person. Most people like this POV better because it's more personal, "The moment I saw her walk down the stairs, I knew we were destined to be together." It's more reflective and draws the reader in closer but it is limited to only one persons POV.

Third person, the good ol' narrative voice. You can tell about the adventures of Zack as he fights the mystical pirates and saves the day. "The moment Zack saw her walk down the stairs, he knew that they were destined to be together." A great perspective but for erotica doesn't get as much impact as first person.

Finally the half-half, half first person, half third person. Now personally, I have NEVER ever seen a novel written this way before. This would take the first person perspective when writing about the character, but when writing of other characters, take a third person perspective. The only problem with it is that I fear that readers would get distracted at the swap (although very clear swaps like breaks and chapters) and be confused throughout the story.

"The moment I saw her walk down the stairs, I knew we were destined to be together."
-NEXT CHAPTER-
"Roy was hiding in the corner, spying on Zack and the girl. He knew the only was to recruit Zack was to do what he was about to do so without any hint of hesitation, he pulled the trigger."

*Sorry for the bad examples but I hope ya get my drift....*

An erotica is best to be in first person. A thriller is meant to be in third person. Half-half style has never been seen before and perhaps there's a good reason for it.

What do you guys think?

ZANGETZU

 

[elsol]

Half-half bad... real bad.

 

[impressive]

Half-half bad... real bad.

Hmm. I'm reading Alan Russell's Political Suicide and it's working for that book. When the protagonist is in the chapter, it's written in first. When the camera cuts to other stuff going on elsewhere, it's in third.

I find it interesting and may try it myself at some point.

 

[oggbashan]

Make you mind up and stick with it.

There are advantages and disadvantages with both. I once wrote a 20,000 story in 3rd then edited the whole thing to 1st. It only took a couple of hours to edit.

Og

 

[rgraham666]

One of my vampire stories is written in first/third.

When the central character is the vampire I use first, when his lover is the central character I use third. Hasn't seemed to hurt my story.

Zang? Don't worry about technical details. If the story's good, it doesn't matter that much.

 

[N0madS0uL]

Hmm. I'm reading Alan Russell's Political Suicide and it's working for that book. When the protagonist is in the chapter, it's written in first. When the camera cuts to other stuff going on elsewhere, it's in third.

I find it interesting and may try it myself at some point.

So basically, you concentrate on 1 character.

There are advantages and disadvantages with both. I once wrote a 20,000 story in 3rd then edited the whole thing to 1st. It only took a couple of hours to edit.

0_o

 

[Guest]

Hmm. I'm reading Alan Russell's Political Suicide and it's working for that book. When the protagonist is in the chapter, it's written in first. When the camera cuts to other stuff going on elsewhere, it's in third.

I find it interesting and may try it myself at some point.

Yes.

Diana Gabaldon's books are written in this manner as well.

It works. And it certainly keeps the reader engaged.

 

[cloudy]

Yes.

Diana Gabaldon's books are written in this manner as well.

It works. And it certainly keeps the reader engaged.

Yep. I love those books, too.

 

[cantdog]

I disagree that erotica is better in first. I write vignette strokers that way, if the mood strikes, but I'm sorta woman oriented in my erotic writing; that is, I want women to get off on it, if you follow me. In a good sex scene, you can get behind the eyes of all the participants, writing from third person.

 

[Carnevil9]

Since real life is in first person, I prefer to write that way. But I agree with others, both can work, for erotica and other genres.

Also, thinking back on books I've read, I find it hard to remember which were in first and which were in third. The story tends to stick in my mind more than the viewpoint, unless the viewpoint is essential to the story. Just a thought.....Carney

 

[thebullet]

I started writing 1st person mostly because it is easier. And because JD Salinger used first person in Catcher in the Rye .

I finally gave 3rd person a try and I've gotta say that it is a more difficult way to write. On the one hand, a more complete picture of what is happening can be given, since the entire world isn't seen through the filter of a single person. On the other hand, you don't have access to the protagonist's mind. You can't think his/her thoughts, experience his emotions.

You find yourself wanting to sink back into 1st person, just to say some of the things you would say if you could say them - but you can't in 3rd person. Does that make any sense?

On the other hand, the majority of serious literature is written in 3rd person, I guess. So if you want to be serious, you've got to give 3rd person a try.

 

[cantdog]

I started writing 1st person mostly because it is easier. And because JD Salinger used first person in Catcher in the Rye .

I finally gave 3rd person a try and I've gotta say that it is a more difficult way to write. On the one hand, a more complete picture of what is happening can be given, since the entire world isn't seen through the filter of a single person. On the other hand, you don't have access to the protagonist's mind. You can't think his/her thoughts, experience his emotions.

You find yourself wanting to sink back into 1st person, just to say some of the things you would say if you could say them - but you can't in 3rd person. Does that make any sense?

On the other hand, the majority of serious literature is written in 3rd person, I guess. So if you want to be serious, you've got to give 3rd person a try.

I have to say that third person absolutely does not prevent you from getting right into the mind of your protag, or indeed of any other character, anytime. What earthly power can be getting in the way?

You don't have to erect a Narrator character, who speaks in the way Shakespeare called aside; indeed, it is better not to, I think, for the sake of immediacy. Write intimately within your character's frame of reference for the scene with the woman preparing for the encounter, then in the next, let us see what is going through the mind of the salivating and lusting guy.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Choose the one that is comfortable for you. Both have pitfalls and strengths.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I agree with the things Cantdog has said. I also think POV is dependent upon the person writing it. Some folks write much better in first, others write better in third. I prefer third because I feel the freedom to describe anything and everything I want to build a scene or character without having to pidgeon-hole the description as being seen through only one person's eyes.

I wholeheartedly disagree that erotica is more powerful when written in first person. It has merits in certain pieces, but isn't at all necessary to create a visceral experience for the reader.

 

[cloudy]

I agree with the things Cantdog has said. I also think POV is dependent upon the person writing it. Some folks write much better in first, others write better in third. I prefer third because I feel the freedom to describe anything and everything I want to build a scene or character without having to pidgeon-hole the description as being seen through only one person's eyes.

I wholeheartedly disagree that erotica is more powerful when written in first person. It has merits in certain pieces, but isn't at all necessary to create a visceral experience for the reader.

Yes.

(damned character limits)

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I only care for first person erotica when it is from the woman's perspective. I don't like reading about what the guy did. I don't think the same way most men seem to, and the way they write their stories aggravates me.

But one of these days I'm going to write a story that changes from all perspectives to each other in the worst ways possible, just to piss off as many writers as possible

 

[tanyachrs]

What if a woman writes first person as a man?

 

[TheeGoatPig]

What if a woman writes first person as a man?

Ok, let me rephrase part of that. I feel like 99.9 percent of stories written from the male perspective are so far removed from the way that I think, that I can't get into the lead male character who is telling the story, and I find no eroticsm in reading such a story.

Once I realize I'm reading a story being told from a man's view, I zone out and become disinterested, because it isn't really me in the story, I don't think the way this guy does, I wouldn't have done things that way (re: I'm not as much of an asshole as this character is), and I'd rather hear about what the woman was thinking while getting thoroughly fucked than how "I did this hot bitch and she loved every second of it, until I came on her and left her wanting more. It was hot!"

 

[cloudy]

Ok, let me rephrase part of that. I feel like 99.9 percent of stories written from the male perspective are so far removed from the way that I think, that I can't get into the lead male character who is telling the story, and I find no eroticsm in reading such a story.

Once I realize I'm reading a story being told from a man's view, I zone out and become disinterested, because it isn't really me in the story, I don't think the way this guy does, I wouldn't have done things that way (re: I'm not as much of an asshole as this character is), and I'd rather hear about what the woman was thinking while getting thoroughly fucked than how "I did this hot bitch and she loved every second of it, until I came on her and left her wanting more. It was hot!"

"I kiked the dor down and camed in her fas."

(sorry, couldn't resist - old joke)

 

[Stella_Omega]

Ok, let me rephrase part of that. I feel like 99.9 percent of stories written from the male perspective are so far removed from the way that I think, that I can't get into the lead male character who is telling the story, and I find no eroticsm in reading such a story.

Once I realize I'm reading a story being told from a man's view, I zone out and become disinterested, because it isn't really me in the story, I don't think the way this guy does, I wouldn't have done things that way (re: I'm not as much of an asshole as this character is), and I'd rather hear about what the woman was thinking while getting thoroughly fucked than how "I did this hot bitch and she loved every second of it, until I came on her and left her wanting more. It was hot!"

Not only do I feel the same way about those same stories, but I feel that way about 99% of what's written from a woman's POV, too. I wouldn't want to be that passive sexually, that manipulative, that blame-y, and if my man went off with another woman, I wouldn't automatically blame her...

And that's just for starters!

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Not only do I feel the same way about those same stories, but I feel that way about 99% of what's written from a woman's POV, too. I wouldn't want to be that passive sexually, that manipulative, that blame-y, and if my man went off with another woman, I wouldn't automatically blame her...

And that's just for starters!

I can understand that. But for some reason I find it hot when I read a story about a woman that is nothing like me (or a real woman for that matter) than when it's a man. Go figure

 

[Stella_Omega]

I can understand that. But for some reason I find it hot when I read a story about a woman that is nothing like me (or a real woman for that matter) than when it's a man. Go figure

Quelle surprise, eh?

 

[zangetzu]

Woah, thanks guys....

I guess in a way, I kinda agree with all of ya. The most comfortable with me is the half-half because I have no idea how to write the mind of the protag in 3rd person =P.

There are advantages and disadvantages with both. I once wrote a 20,000 story in 3rd then edited the whole thing to 1st. It only took a couple of hours to edit.

I guess I'll write the whole thing in half-half and if it doesn't turn up well, I can always change my mind to either 3rd or 1st =P!

Thanks guys for all ya help
ZANGETZU

 

[Frank Noir]

One of my vampire stories is written in first/third.

When the central character is the vampire I use first, when his lover is the central character I use third. Hasn't seemed to hurt my story.

I have an idea for a short story (haven't even started writing it yet), switching back and forth between third and first.

A couple of kidnappers are sexually abusing a blindfolded girl. The main story is told in the third person, concentrating on the actions of the kidnappers. But that is now and then interrupted by the girl's internal monologue: "Oh my god! What are they doing to me?" (Yes, I'm the author, so it's not gonna get any better than that!)

The idea works in theory - I'll be curious to see how it will work out, if I ever get it done.

 

[rgraham666]

I have an idea for a short story (haven't even started writing it yet), switching back and forth between third and first.

A couple of kidnappers are sexually abusing a blindfolded girl. The main story is told in the third person, concentrating on the actions of the kidnappers. But that is now and then interrupted by the girl's internal monologue: "Oh my god! What are they doing to me?" (Yes, I'm the author, so it's not gonna get any better than that!)

The idea works in theory - I'll be curious to see how it will work out, if I ever get it done.

I think mine worked because I didn't do a lot of switching. I 'bookended' the story with her story and the rest of it was his.

I had considered switching back and forth but decided against it.