First or Third - your preference?

[Ann Vremont]

I have an already written story that I'm thinking of re-doing from its current third-person POV to first-person. I prefer 1P, whether from the perspective of someone who is my gender or not (but I'm highly empathic and being inside most anyone's head doesn't feel alien to me).

Anyway, I thought an unscientific, unreliable polling of preferences was in order. Assuming both versions of a story are equally well done, which do you prefer (and, if you'd like, why)?

 

[jdnunyer]

For me, I'd say it depends on the story. If the entire thing will be narrated from the point of view of one character, and that character drives the plot and is engaging, then first can be an effective way of getting the reader closer to the protagonist. Of course, with third person limited, you can still relay the character's thought processes, but first person is always going to feel more intimate.

But sometimes you want the reader to take a broader perspective. Maybe you even want to signal that you may have an unreliable narrator. Or you want to bounce around POVs from one section/chapter to another. In that case, third person is the way to go.

My $0.02.

 

[Ann Vremont]

That's the sweet thing about electronic publishing - as they are short stories, I can try, and release, both ways rather than angsting about it (but then I'd lose all that delicious angst).

 

[jdnunyer]

True enough.

But, yeah, you wouldn't want to give up an opportunity for some good angsting.

 

[PennLady]

I much prefer third person, both to read and to write. Which is not to say that I haven't read well-done first person stories. I like that third person allows the writer to get into the heads of as many characters as they want. I like to know everything.

Although I see the point of first person being intimate, I also find it limiting.

 

[jdnunyer]

I much prefer third person, both to read and to write. Which is not to say that I haven't read well-done first person stories. I like that third person allows the writer to get into the heads of as many characters as they want. I like to know everything.

Although I see the point of first person being intimate, I also find it limiting.

I agree with all of that. I usually prefer third. I'm writing in first at the moment, but after the current series, will be switching to third. I thought first worked for this particular project though.

 

[PennLady]

I agree with all of that. I usually prefer third. I'm writing in first at the moment, but after the current series, will be switching to third. I thought first worked for this particular project though.

I would agree that sometimes one fits a story or premise better than the other. I also wouldn't say I'd never write in first person. It's not likely, but never say never.

 

[litfan10]

As with any literary device it really depends with what the writer is going to do with it. First person has a wonderful intimacy but can be limiting in conscious and awareness. Arthur Conan Doyle made great use of the First Person Witness voice. Watson, not Holmes, is the voice. We have the intimacy of being there through Watson but not knowing everything as Holmes would. As PennLady and JD brought up, third person is wonderful for open range of consciousness and awareness but much more generic in reference.
Good luck and may your angst serve you well!

 

[Spacefender]

I suppose I generally prefer 3rd person but I don't think one is inherently superior to the other. I suspect that my slight preference for 3rd person is due to most stories and books being written in 3rd person. I tend to write in 3rd person but I've done a couple 1st person stories as well. Working on one right now, in fact.

I'm not a big fan bouncing around viewpoints willy-nilly from character to character. It's actually something I've needed to work on as I've done that in the past quite accidentally. I'd like to think that I've improved as a writer and that it happens less. With 1st person, you don't have to worry about that happening. The fact that it limits you is something I happen to like about 1st person.

 

[Ann Vremont]

Interesting perspectives, everyone.

I find that I tend to be more engaged in writing when first person, next most engaging being a deep third.

 

[ILmonamour]

For me, I'd say it depends on the story. If the entire thing will be narrated from the point of view of one character, and that character drives the plot and is engaging, then first can be an effective way of getting the reader closer to the protagonist. Of course, with third person limited, you can still relay the character's thought processes, but first person is always going to feel more intimate.

But sometimes you want the reader to take a broader perspective. Maybe you even want to signal that you may have an unreliable narrator. Or you want to bounce around POVs from one section/chapter to another. In that case, third person is the way to go.

My $0.02.

I have to agree with this...however...

I do love a first person POV when there are NO names, the story is completely anonymous, i.e. locale is not disclosed, nothing. It's just about the two individuals. to me that creates a true erotic experience because it's 'enclosed' and there is no room to escape the thought.

 

[sr71plt]

I agree that it depends on what I'm doing with the story. I usually just start writing and it naturally fits one or the other. I probably more often write erotica in 1st person because that's the most intense emotion/most personal tense, which seems to suit most erotica best.

 

[jdnunyer]

I have to agree with this...however...

I do love a first person POV when there are NO names, the story is completely anonymous, i.e. locale is not disclosed, nothing. It's just about the two individuals. to me that creates a true erotic experience because it's 'enclosed' and there is no room to escape the thought.

I haven't seen any of those yet, but I can see how that would be effective.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I can only read first person stories when written from the female perspective. I actually prefer female first perspective stories over all else. I love reading what they are thinking, what they are feeling, and how what is going on around them is affecting them. My goal is to be able to write convincing, hot and steamy female first person gangbang stories.

But I prefer third perspective to male first perspective. I don't like reading things from the man's point of view. They are almost always written so cocky and arrogant. I can't stand reading that. It's either that or they are sucky wusses they make me look like the arrogant cock, and I can't stand that either.

 

[sr71plt]

They are almost always written so cocky and arrogant. I can't stand reading that. It's either that or they are sucky wusses they make me look like the arrogant cock, and I can't stand that either.

That seems a sweeping generalization. I think there are a lot of writers who can write without revealing to the reader what gender they really are.

I think perhaps you see what you want to see in what you read.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

That seems a sweeping generalization. I think there are a lot of writers who can write without revealing to the reader what gender they really are.

I think perhaps you see what you want to see in what you read.

I don't know or care what gender the writer is. I am talking about the character's perspective.

 

[GinaTina]

Very rarely have I run across a well-written story that was done in 1st person.

When it is done, it's usually a blatant self-insert and I just can't deal with it. I have found one or two short-stories that were wonderfully done and in the 1st person, but I can't remember what they were called.

I much prefer 3rd, for both reading and writing.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't know or care what gender the writer is. I am talking about the character's perspective.

OK, then. That seems a sweeping thing to say about "everything" written from a male character's perspective.

I think perhaps you see what you want to see in what you read.

 

[ILmonamour]

Very rarely have I run across a well-written story that was done in 1st person.

When it is done, it's usually a blatant self-insert and I just can't deal with it. I have found one or two short-stories that were wonderfully done and in the 1st person, but I can't remember what they were called.

I much prefer 3rd, for both reading and writing.

Yes...third person is so much easier to write. I have found that most first person narratives are really graphic but, to the point where it's grotesque and not sexy at all. Major turn off.I like to put myself into a situation when I'm reading the third person, you're sort of a fly on the wall.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

OK, then. That seems a sweeping thing to say about "everything" written from a male character's perspective.

I think perhaps you see what you want to see in what you read.

It doesn't matter if it is there or if I just see it there. I don't like what I see, and those are the reasons why.

 

[estragon]

Third, unless you're really very good. Otherwise it's an ego trip. I've written one halfway decent first, and the other got bombed to hell-an-gone (probably rightfully); first gets self-indulgent real fast, except in expert hands.

 

[sr71plt]

Oh, good grief.

 

[Darkniciad]

I personally can't write first without having a decidedly humor bend to it. When I try to write anything serious in first, it just comes out... wrong

I'm happy with Ghost of a Chance and my VR : DQ series as Les, but nothing else I've written in first person has ever seen the light of day.

I take that back. One did. I ripped it to pieces with the help of Fallingtofly in an LST3K *laugh*

It was an old, old story, but I don't think I've really improved that much in writing serious first person.

 

[sr71plt]

Oh, good grief times two.

Some, like Darkinaid, may have a personal trouble (or dislike) writing first person, which is OK, but Estragon's slamming of first person (and those writing in it) is ludicrous. It's neither harder nor an ego trip to write.

I expect Elfin to float through at any moment.

These are nonsense sweeping generalizations.

Whichever fits the instance is fine--and there's not a thing about first person that makes it harder or easier to write than third person. It's just more intimate.

So maybe those who can't write it can't write with intimacy. Which would be a pity for tackling erotica. This would hold true, I think, for someone who can't write it without laughing at it.

 

[Darkniciad]

Which is probably why I write porn *laugh*

There's no dislike for it on my part. When I'm writing something like Ghost or VR, I quite enjoy it. Some of my favorites, actually.