Favorite POV

[jakelyon]

I had decieded I hate 2nd person POV. It is a pain to write to, and I can never keep my past tense and present tense in line. I still write plenty of theads in 2nd person because so many stories are written in that POV. It got me to wondering what POV is the most popular? I prefer third person as I feel most comforatable writing in it.

I am interested in finding out what other people prefer and if I am the only one who has trouble with 2nd person POV.

 

[Zingiber]

I don't care about the tense. It's more about the characters for me.

I suppose there are some literary effects where it's easier to use one tense rather than another.

First person is good for "let me tell you a story", setting up a relationship with the reader. You can use it for unreliable narrator effects if that amuses you.

Second person is the classic tense for Choose Your Own Adventure, where the page is talking to the reader immersively.

Third person's a good utility tense, where the reader's a fly on the wall, so to speak; though there's also 3rd person/limited omniscient, where you're riding around on a particular character's shoulder and listening to their thoughts.

But all my own stories are 3rd person with a key character or two (a little less of the "key" focus for Office Morale), so whatever that tells you...

-Z

 

[niceguy2002tim]

Third.

I like the 3rd person, myself. It gives more options with characters. And you can use more "names" when referring to a character. For example with 2nd, you mainly use YOU. With 1st, it's Me, Myself and I. And third you have him, her, person's name... you can describe them, example, the young school girl. I find it easier to write and read.

I know 2nd is suppose to put the reader into the story, but reading YOU all the time doesn't put me into the story. Just me probably.

Anyway, I have an OFF topic question. I just noticed this myself. Did Chyoo take away the "Start Over" button, which was at the bottom of the screen with next, and previous. I miss that button... tell me it's sime kind of mistake?

-Tim (niceguy2002tim)

 

[Zingiber]

Start Over

"Start Over" only seems to be on threads without a followup.

-Z

 

[gystex]

I prefer second person, present tense, for two reasons:

One, it recalls the classic Choose Your Own Adventure (TM) books, which were written along those lines.

Two, it brings the reader into the action with a sense of immediacy. YOU are part of the story, YOU are making the choices, YOU are giving hot lust-hungry sluts a ride on the wild balony pony. I also find I am more drawn to add to such stories, since they become more of a personal experience and I have a stronger desire to direct the action.

 

[bungakawa2000]

I prefer 3rd person myself, for a few reasons:

-I'm more into descriptions than actions. Dunno why, maybe it's because I studied science for a while... teachers tended to get angry when I wasn't as descriptive as possible.

-Most of my stories are not set in "everyday's life" universe. I.e. what the heck is "I" or "You" doing in a Tomb Raider adventure? Or in a Disney tale? The whole "mystic portal into parallel universes" thing is popular, but I usually prefer to see the characters work things out themselves in their own universe.

-It gives more slack to the narration. If I write "I", I must remain "I". If I write "You", same thing. If I write "He/She/It", there is no physical or psychological limit to what I know or tell. "I" does not know what is going on in the next room, "You" can't guess another person's thought (other than making suppositions, of course), but "He/She/It" knows it all. The only thing is, you have to decide what to say and what to keep to yourself.

Of course, that's just a preference, just like Gystex' reasons for liking 2nd person are quite valid. I can and do write in "You" and "I" a little.

As far as verb tenses go... I usually use past tense, even if I probably make loads of mistakes when I have to explain something that happened "in the past, but not quite in the past's past, just a tad before past or, if you prefer, a long time after past's past". Urg... I think I prefer past because it gives me temporal latitude. I can talk about the "main event past", but also about "more recent past", or if you prefer "main event future". Was that at all legible?

The only thing I *hate*: moving PoV or verb tense, the latter being the worst. I can understand a moving PoV for "artistic" reasons; you have movies that start with a narrator, then a character takes control of the story, then it switches to 2nd person or whatnot... As long as it's well done, it can makes stories very interesting. Unfortunately, most of the time, it just screams "I didn't pay attention so I'll pick my PoV and verb tense and screw consistency!".

Anyway, I ramble. Can't wait to be old so I have an excuse to ramble aaaaaaaaaaaall the time.

Bunga

 

[marmot]

First person for me

Well, to make the choices complete.. I prefer first person. I like the subjective sight, the action as seen from a participant. Actually, two of my three stories are in first person, one from a female POV in past tense, so in writing I imagine her telling me her hot adventures, and one male POV in present tense, so I can directly fantasize how I act and choose and enjoy. (actually, it´s called "Ich komme" - maybe that much of German you can guess.. )

As you see, I´m more concerned about me or coauthors writing than about reading; but I guess what is fun to be written is fun to be read, and I feel first person is the best way if you want to describe this mix of actions, feelings and perceptions that sex life is made of.

 

[jakelyon]

Good Start

We need some more votes here to make this poll a little more scientific. Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[cutieangel]

Well since you mention it...

Third is great to work in, becuase it gives you so many options or adress. This becomes a double edged sword because you can only use so many before you repeat, but with a little practice, it can be a fair while before that happens.

Third also opens up a variety of options within the story. In third person, you find out about the shadowy figure trailing our coed victi- er, heroine, whereas in first she doesn't notice until she's dragged into the shadows. Choose what works best.

Most of my stories are written in third POV, but my latest project is an attempt at using first intermixed with flashbacks. (Way to cheat huh? Hindsight, omniscience, all the same) It's coming along all right, but the feel is way too restricted. probably won't do it again.

But anyway, that's my peice on that.