First or third person?

[Zeb_Carter]

I've a successful series where every episode, sometimes two per chapter, are told by different observers. Other successful pieces feature distinct people telling their stories to a group. I've written tales from a sequence of 3rd- and 1st-POVs. Switching viewpoints is no problem -- IFF (if and only if) the POV is clear.

1st omniscient is monotheistic or telepathic. 3rd omniscient is easy. 3rd limited focuses on one player but I may switch minds and places. The MC is on the phone; we see the listener's reactions, briefly.

The story you write should tell you whether the MC is me, he, she, or it.

Usually my MC isn't even in the story, he/she/it is just explaining the thing to the reader and never mentions itself. Like a movie camera that sees all, knows all following everyone around.

 

[Wildheart107]

Some interesting points. I usually find first person past tense is like someone telling you a story. It’s often very personal and subjective. If you’re going to have many perspectives, third person is probably the best way to go. Otherwise it can get confusing.

I much prefer third person stories to be in present tense. It makes it feel as if the story is unfolding in front of you. Almost like watching a movie. A few people have said they have difficulty reading present tense, which I find interesting. I’ve not come across that before. Perhaps it depends how vivid your imagination is? When I’m engrossed in a good book, I can imagine everything as if it’s actually happening.

 

[NotWise]

I much prefer third person stories to be in present tense. It makes it feel as if the story is unfolding in front of you. Almost like watching a movie. A few people have said they have difficulty reading present tense, which I find interesting. I’ve not come across that before. Perhaps it depends how vivid your imagination is? When I’m engrossed in a good book, I can imagine everything as if it’s actually happening.

In real life, I've never had anyone narrate their life to me as it happened, or relate a story about someone else while it happened. To me, it seems highly unnatural.

 

[Wildheart107]

In real life, I've never had anyone narrate their life to me as it happened, or relate a story about someone else while it happened. To me, it seems highly unnatural.

I see third person stories less of a narration, and more like something that’s happening at that moment. Like a film, but in words. First person present tense would seem a little unnatural though.

About 80% of the books I read are third person present tense. Perhaps it’s just the genre. I read fantasy and sci fi mostly.

Edit: actually, now that I’ve checked, it’s probably more like 50%. I’m just remembering it wrong. And I’ve told stories in present tense before. Usually if it’s something funny or involves a lot of action. Makes it more exciting imo, but that could just be me.

 

[NotWise]

About 80% of the books I read are third person present tense. Perhaps it’s just the genre. I read fantasy and sci fi mostly.

Edit: actually, now that I’ve checked, it’s probably more like 50%. I’m just remembering it wrong. And I’ve told stories in present tense before. Usually if it’s something funny or involves a lot of action. Makes it more exciting imo, but that could just be me.

The original statement surprised me, and the edit doesn't change a lot. I checked the stories currently in the SciFi/Fantasy hub. One story out of 25 was predominantly present tense, and it contained passages in past tense. It was third person.

 

[Wildheart107]

I’m talking about non erotica by the way. Just ordinary published books.

 

[yukonnights]

I see third person stories less of a narration, and more like something that’s happening at that moment. Like a film, but in words. First person present tense would seem a little unnatural though...And I’ve told stories in present tense before. Usually if it’s something funny or involves a lot of action. Makes it more exciting imo, but that could just be me.

Most everything I've written is as you've described. For the most part the third person pov has offered me the paintbrush to put that movie onto the page. My biggest problem is in "over-painting" it. But it does indeed offer unlimited freedom to paint the scenes and the characters (both physically and emotionally/mentally).

This "over-painting" has recently caught up with me though. In fact, the kind soul who plowed through it for me even suggested trying it in first person pov to see if that would bring the life back into it. (By the way; there are some truly dear folks hanging about here...I feel bad subjecting one of them to such torture ) Anyway, I have a lot of work ahead of me if I decide to try and salvage that one...there were a few really pretty scenes in it though. (I'm very intrigued by the idea of mixing 1st and 3rd as has been mentioned above...is it possible to have the best of both worlds?)

The first person pov ones I've done do seem to have more vitality. They come out quick and relatively clean too. The third pov can very easily go astray and/or get entangled. And like you, the first pov has mostly been used in attempts at humor.

Who'd of thought fun could be so much hard work

 

[ElectricBlue]

(I'm very intrigued by the idea of mixing 1st and 3rd as has been mentioned above...is it possible to have the best of both worlds?)

The first person pov ones I've done do seem to have more vitality. They come out quick and relatively clean too. The third pov can very easily go astray and/or get entangled. And like you, the first pov has mostly been used in attempts at humor.

Yes, best of both worlds - and it can work well if you have a fairly large cast. My long myth thing alternates between a very unreliable first person narrator who weaves in and out of the story; I then switch to close third person for narrative where the first narrator wasn't around - or where he was only a bit player. It's a long, multi-chaptered thing, which makes the switching easier.

 

[yukonnights]

Yes, best of both worlds - and it can work well if you have a fairly large cast. My long myth thing alternates between a very unreliable first person narrator who weaves in and out of the story; I then switch to close third person for narrative where the first narrator wasn't around - or where he was only a bit player. It's a long, multi-chaptered thing, which makes the switching easier.

Thanks EB for giving me all the permission needed to move over on the wild side. I didn't want to break any rules But this just might get me out of my jamb (insert kneeling praying figure here)...now to try and learn something new

 

[Voboy]

In real life, I've never had anyone narrate their life to me as it happened, or relate a story about someone else while it happened. To me, it seems highly unnatural.

This.

It seems very artificial to me.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Thanks EB for giving me all the permission needed to move over on the wild side. I didn't want to break any rules But this just might get me out of my jamb (insert kneeling praying figure here)...now to try and learn something new

Yukon, stop titting about here, and get on and write. It's winter in your hemisphere, so you must be snowbound, right? Don't surface until spring, we expect at least 50,000 words.

There's a word for what you're doing, and it starts with a 'p'

 

[Hypoxia]

An exercise: Write a story in 3rd limited. Now change every reference to the MC to 'me'. See which works better.