First person/third person

[Guest]

If I wrote a couple of lit chapters in first person, could I switch to third person in the later chapters?

Alternatively, if I wrote first person in the first few chapters, could I switch the narrator on the other chapters?

I have a feeling it is against the rules, I am just wondering if I'd get away with it

Maharat

 

[MarshAlien]

If I wrote a couple of lit chapters in first person, could I switch to third person in the later chapters?

Alternatively, if I wrote first person in the first few chapters, could I switch the narrator on the other chapters?

I have a feeling it is against the rules, I am just wondering if I'd get away with it

Maharat

I am preparing the arrest warrants as we speak. Please let me know when the story is posted.

Seriously, I read a mystery by Faye Kellerman that did this. It worked well enough, although I didn't like it as much as the earlier ones in the series. But I can't think why you couldn't do it here. This is a perfect place to try out new and exciting ideas. I think I once read a story narrated by a pair of panties (a pair of 18 year old panties, to be sure).

 

[Guest]

I am preparing the arrest warrants as we speak. Please let me know when the story is posted.

Seriously, I read a mystery by Faye Kellerman that did this. It worked well enough, although I didn't like it as much as the earlier ones in the series. But I can't think why you couldn't do it here. This is a perfect place to try out new and exciting ideas. I think I once read a story narrated by a pair of panties (a pair of 18 year old panties, to be sure).

Panties, you say?

It is more of a petticoat type of story

Maharat

 

[CopyCarver]

If I wrote a couple of lit chapters in first person, could I switch to third person in the later chapters?

Alternatively, if I wrote first person in the first few chapters, could I switch the narrator on the other chapters?

I have a feeling it is against the rules, I am just wondering if I'd get away with it

Maharat

Whether you should change voice or narrators is up for grabs; that you can do so if you wish is a certainty. It's a judgment call, not a matter of rules.

Although the switches could, theoretically, be done in mid-chapter (and often are) the beginning of a new chapter is probably the best bet for you, especially until you become more familiar with the techniques. A new voice in a new chapter will quite possibly be less confusing to readers as well.

 

[Penelope Street]

If I wrote a couple of lit chapters in first person, could I switch to third person in the later chapters?

Alternatively, if I wrote first person in the first few chapters, could I switch the narrator on the other chapters?

I have a feeling it is against the rules, I am just wondering if I'd get away with it

Maharat

No, it's not against any rules.

If you had it to do over again, would you simply have written the entire story in third person?

 

[rgraham666]

I wrote a story where the beginning and end were in third person, but the bilk of the story was first.

Didn't get any complaints about it. Sold it to a publisher too.

 

[Guest]

thanks

No, it's not against any rules.

If you had it to do over again, would you simply have written the entire story in third person?

No, if it was truly against the rules, i'd write it all first.

I discovered this is what is "wrong" with a lot of my stories. Trying to write then in third, then having a lot of italics for thoughts.

Thanks!

Maharat

 

[Guest]

thanks!

I wrote a story where the beginning and end were in third person, but the bilk of the story was first.

Didn't get any complaints about it. Sold it to a publisher too.

Thanks!

And good luck with the publishing...

Maharat

 

[Penelope Street]

No, if it was truly against the rules, i'd write it all first.

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

I discovered this is what is "wrong" with a lot of my stories. Trying to write then in third, then having a lot of italics for thoughts.

I don't see why having a lot of italics for thoughs would be any more "wrong" in third person than in first- unless the thoughts of multiple characters are present in a given scene.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

I don't see why having a lot of italics for thoughs would be any more "wrong" in third person than in first- unless the thoughts of multiple characters are present in a given scene.

I had readers complain -rightly- that the transitions between thoughts and happenings were hard to follow in one of my stories (Out there and Beyond), which I have since edited. Of course it also has to do with technique and experience, and remembering that people can't read my thoughts...

I think I will start with first person in the new story, then try to stick to third person afterwards.

Thanks,

Maharat