Hard to decide, first or third person.

[Dearelliot]

Sometimes I have a story half written in the third person and wish I used first person.

 

[Plathfan]

Skilled writers can use both styles effectively. That's why I strongly recommend the third person. Very few can deliver authentic narration without their own intrusive voice getting in the way.

 

[SimonDoom]

So, change it. I had a story half-written in first person and then painstakingly changed it to third person because I thought it worked better. It was a pain in the ass to do but I'm glad I did.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

So, change it. I had a story half-written in first person and then painstakingly changed it to third person because I thought it worked better. It was a pain in the ass to do but I'm glad I did.

Yes, those sorts of things are always worth it. As they say, the pain is temporary, the story lasts (and will be read) forever.

 

[SimonDoom]

Yes, those sorts of things are always worth it. As they say, the pain is temporary, the story lasts (and will be read) forever.

It's worth it. There are good reasons to choose either POV, and anyone who's read widely knows there are great stories in both POVs. The right POV is the one that suits the specific needs of that story. It's one of the most important decisions you make in writing a story.

 

[Dearelliot]

Good advice!

 

[LonRivers]

I can go either way. I tend to try both if the other doesn't work for what I am writing. Right now I am writing in the third person, but if I do a follow up, it will be in the first person style where my character is talking. The first story being a sort of "Introduction" to the characters.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I use a pretty simple rule of thumb, and it's an unconscious thing, I scarcely think about it when I start a story.

If the story focuses on one main character and their experiences with a small cast of supporting characters, it's first person, no question. This happened to me.

But create an ensemble cast, where things will be happening independently or remotely between characters, then third person is the way to go. This happened to us.

 

[Plathfan]

I use a pretty simple rule of thumb, and it's an unconscious thing, I scarcely think about it when I start a story.

If the story focuses on one main character and their experiences with a small cast of supporting characters, it's first person, no question. This happened to me.

But create an ensemble cast, where things will be happening independently or remotely between characters, then third person is the way to go. This happened to us.

This is somewhat oversimplified. Most stories, especially here, tend to revolve around a single protagonist, so the choice of POV likely isn’t driven by that factor alone. Even large, multi-character sagas can still be told in the first person through secondary characters who act as "ambassadors," delivering updates on distant events.

While I agree that choosing a narrative style is often intuitive, there are valid reasons to favor the first person. The first person is inherently subjective and, therefore, biased. In some cases, this bias might enhance the plot’s appeal.

Some characters have a unique and uncommon worldview, interpreting events and people in ways specific only to them. A third-person narrator, constrained by objectivity, might not effectively convey such a perspective.

Many writers choose the first person out of empathy, identifying with a character. While this is human and understandable, it’s not always the best choice for a story, especially when writers tend to blur the line between themselves and the character.

Few things are more frustrating than recognizing a familiar voice disrupting a story with potential.

 

[Shady_Lady]

As a challenge to myself, I once wrote a story about a chance encounter on a train between two women. In the first story, I wrote in the first person from the point of view of the straight(ish) subs perspective. I then wrote the same story again from the domme's perspective. It seemed to turn out OK but was an interesting exercise to see where the limitations are when things happen outside of the knowledge of the person whose perspective you are writing from. In the end, I did the third (and final) chapter from the third person to bring about the conclusion.

What it proved to me was that although the first person is powerful and emotive there are also limitations to what you can 'see'.

Maybe finish your story in the third person and then rewrite in the first, bearing in mind the perception limitations and see how it feels. That will highlight that although some parts are more emotive other chunks have to be left out.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

It's worth it. There are good reasons to choose either POV, and anyone who's read widely knows there are great stories in both POVs. The right POV is the one that suits the specific needs of that story. It's one of the most important decisions you make in writing a story.

I actually have trouble imagining this type of challenge for a writer.

Who is telling the story is one of the first decisions made after the initial idea for it comes to me. It influences everything else in the story, from characters to techniques available to include in telling it.

I've never had to waffle about it or change midstream.

 

[SimonDoom]

I actually have trouble imagining this type of challenge for a writer.

Who is telling the story is one of the first decisions made after the initial idea for it comes to me. It influences everything else in the story, from characters to techniques available to include in telling it.

I've never had to waffle about it or change midstream.

My story could have been told from first person or third person. It was about an encounter between a man and a woman from the man's point of view. I started telling it in first person, and it worked OK, but it didn't quite feel right. I wanted to have a little more license to narrate things outside the point of view of the male character, so I changed the POV and I'm glad I did. But the story would have worked OK from first person POV, too. It might have received a higher score, since many readers seem to prefer first person stories.

 

[Britva415]

many readers seem to prefer first person stories

Not challenging you, just asking: How can you tell?

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Not challenging you, just asking: How can you tell?

You can't really, but it just seems to be that way. Most of the writers seem to write from the same motivation of fantasy (over plot) that the readers come for and fantasy readers ultimately are putting themselves into the shoes of the main character to live the fantasy, so what better way to do that than with first person? My estimate would put probably 50-60% of stories on lit in first person. Maybe more. Especially in all of the kink-based categories.

Even my third person stories, my beta readers tell me how they live (or try to live) vicariously through the character. For that experience, straightest line from A to B is first person. First person also sheds the need to have to describe the main character, which is not only handy for the writer but also makes it even easier for the reader to assume the perspective of the narrator and plug themselves in. First person is the go to default for the vast majority of stroke.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

My story could have been told from first person or third person. It was about an encounter between a man and a woman from the man's point of view. I started telling it in first person, and it worked OK, but it didn't quite feel right. I wanted to have a little more license to narrate things outside the point of view of the male character, so I changed the POV and I'm glad I did. But the story would have worked OK from first person POV, too. It might have received a higher score, since many readers seem to prefer first person stories.

I believe that a lot of my stories could be told in differing POV's.

My point was that I make the decision before I start writing and have never felt any inclination to change from the selected POV, so I have difficulty empathizing with others who may find a struggle in that regard. If it works for them, great. I just know that I have to have some commitment to a story before I start writing it. Knowing who is telling the story is key to that commitment. I have started stories when I wasn't entirely convinced that I had the right ending in mind, but never without knowing the POV.

 

[SimonDoom]

Not challenging you, just asking: How can you tell?

Good question. I'm basing that on the many comments I've seen in this forum by authors expressing their opinions as readers.

 

[SimonDoom]

I believe that a lot of my stories could be told in differing POV's.

My point was that I make the decision before I start writing and have never felt any inclination to change from the selected POV, so I have difficulty empathizing with others who may find a struggle in that regard. If it works for them, great. I just know that I have to have some commitment to a story before I start writing it. Knowing who is telling the story is key to that commitment. I have started stories when I wasn't entirely convinced that I had the right ending in mind, but never without knowing the POV.

95% of the time I'm the same way. This story was the exception. I rarely spend a lot of time thinking about POV. It seems obvious to me for whatever reason before I actually start writing. This was the only case where I substantially wrote a story before switching POV.