I need some advice

[CeriseNoire]

Don't I always? I was wondering if some of the more experienced writers around here could help me out with this. I have a story lurking in my mind, but there's just one catch. It just begs to be written in first person.

Aside from "write it in the third person POV", any advice on pulling off a good first person story? Pitfalls to avoid?

 

[cloudy]

There's nothing wrong with first person.

Most will agree that second person POV is definitely something to avoid, but I've read some great stories written in first.

If that's what the story demands, then by all means, write it that way.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Don't I always? I was wondering if some of the more experienced writers around here could help me out with this. I have a story lurking in my mind, but there's just one catch. It just begs to be written in first person.

Aside from "write it in the third person POV", any advice on pulling off a good first person story? Pitfalls to avoid?

I've written a couple of stories in first person. I found it a bit more difficult than 3rd person but, I felt closer to my main character.

Just start writing it, and see what comes out. That's my only advice.

 

[jomar]

Most of my stories are in first person, and I found it pretty easy. However, they're mostly short strokers, so characters were hardly developed. I just finished a Nelson DeMille book that was mostly first person, though he switched to 3rd some for background and setup. You might try googling a few things (e.g., seems like I read somewhere that in 1st person, you don't know the motivation of others - can't get in their head, that kind of thing). Good luck.

 

[CeriseNoire]

Thanks everyone. I don't really find first person to be difficult per se. It's just that I've seen much against first person around these board. Then again, I suppose whatever the characters demand, they should get.

Now I know the basic mechanics of it (I just taught point of view to my classes), so the not knowing what other characters are thinking is kind of a given (like in real life). It seems the complaint I read most often is that it tends to sound like a middle school report, so I was wondering how to avoid that. Lord knows i don't want people to think about middle school when they read it.

 

[jomar]

Now I know the basic mechanics of it (I just taught point of view to my classes), so the not knowing what other characters are thinking is kind of a given (like in real life). It seems the complaint I read most often is that it tends to sound like a middle school report, so I was wondering how to avoid that. Lord knows i don't want people to think about middle school when they read it.

I should have sat in on your class - probably would have learned something useful.

I haven't seen the "middle school report" comments.

 

[WarLordwrites]

Thanks everyone. I don't really find first person to be difficult per se. It's just that I've seen much against first person around these board. Then again, I suppose whatever the characters demand, they should get.

Now I know the basic mechanics of it (I just taught point of view to my classes), so the not knowing what other characters are thinking is kind of a given (like in real life). It seems the complaint I read most often is that it tends to sound like a middle school report, so I was wondering how to avoid that. Lord knows i don't want people to think about middle school when they read it.

Greetings

All my stories are first person POV (just lazy I guess) I like it a lot and find it makes dialogue easier which sorta avoids data dump your middle school report syndrome.

So using much dialogue with another thought: Make some other characters smart. Let "them" say the essential information also keeping the reader engaged.

I like the thought that first POV gives me a chance to surprise my protagionist and thus surprise (delight) the reader. Well hell I'm delighted by it. Fuck'em if they can't take a joke!

Enjoy the journey

WarLord

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

CeriseNoire, you can write in first person. I don't usually because it can be awkward at times. Like Cloudy said, second person just doesn't seem to work. Give it a try. You are doing pretty well with what you have posted so far.

 

[Carnevil9]

Go for it! I prefer first person, myself. The personal and biased viewpoint relieves me, as the author, of the obligation of being objective. Let the narrator indulge in all the biases they want, and let the reader attempt to figure out what is objectively occurring. It's fun for you, and engaging for the reader......Carney

 

[Milene]

First person

I think all but one of my stories are in first person, and I did that one in third, kind of as an experiment. So I guess I'm almost the opposite of the norm, but I'm very happy with my stories and they seem to have bee well received (all have the "hot" rating). My favorite is actually first person, present tense. I find that it provides an immediacy that really adds to the eroticism.

 

[king_wesley]

I'm not good enough to say this with 100% confidence but I have been told to avoid the word 'I' as much as possible.

That's all I know.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I've written several in 1st POV. It's something I enjoy and it is usually always in present tense. Go for it. My only advice is to watch all the "I did this..." "I did that..." "I felt this.... " "I" "I" "I".

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Westly and Red are right. This is one of the big reasons I tend to stay away from 1st person POV.

 

[king_wesley]

Dances the dance of 1000 smilies because he got something right before departing back to the threads where this sort of silliness belongs.

 

[CeriseNoire]

Well there would be enough other characters involved to avoid the constant repetition of "I". And as someone mentioned above, dialog should help.Of course, I ask all these questions, and get all this great advice, yet I write nothing

 

[rgraham666]

I've done a lot of work in first person. Try my stories Dinner Date and Bed of Roses for examples.

My advice would be to make sure you limit yourself to what the character can know. And spend time on the interior of the narrator. Make sure you describe their thoughts, observations and emotions.

 

[sweetmelissa087]

While I don't have any tips, first person stories are definitely my favorite. And from the ones I've read, they were usually much more detailed, which is always a plus. Good luck =)

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

While I don't have any tips, first person stories are definitely my favorite. And from the ones I've read, they were usually much more detailed, which is always a plus. Good luck =)

You are right, Melissa. First person can be much more discriptive and detailed than 2nd (NEVER!!) or 3rd person POV.

A few years I wrote in a story,

"As I watched her move from one shop window to the next I couldn't help but notice the gentle flow of her skirt as it fill over her rounded ass and the way the hem moved with the suductive sway of her hips." 90% discription and readable too

 

[ravensfx]

That's tough to do

Don't I always? I was wondering if some of the more experienced writers around here could help me out with this. I have a story lurking in my mind, but there's just one catch. It just begs to be written in first person.

Aside from "write it in the third person POV", any advice on pulling off a good first person story? Pitfalls to avoid?

I always write in Omniscient mode. 1st person is tough to do. Short stories could be a lot easier. Slyvia Plath's The Bell Jar was written in 1st person if I remember.

Maybe write it in a reflection mode: a person telling a story that happen. Maybe a first time story?

 

[CeriseNoire]

Well I currently only write short stories, so no 1st person novel. The story that I have in mind involves a lot of the protagonist's thoughts and feeling, as well as some assumptions she makes about the other characters, which is why 1st seems to be calling me. Since a lot of the plot revolves around that, it seems appropriate. Oh well, I guess all I can do is write it and see how it turns out. Once it's done, I can look at all the advice I received while I edit it.

 

[rgraham666]

Well I currently only write short stories, so no 1st person novel. The story that I have in mind involves a lot of the protagonist's thoughts and feeling, as well as some assumptions she makes about the other characters, which is why 1st seems to be calling me. Since a lot of the plot revolves around that, it seems appropriate. Oh well, I guess all I can do is write it and see how it turns out. Once it's done, I can look at all the advice I received while I edit it.

Oh yes. Definite 1st person story there.