When you write

[nicole_quinn26]

I just have a rather simple question for you all. When you're writing in first person do you feel more attached to the story then if you had written it in third person? Does the use of "I" instead of "Characters Name Here" make it that much more personal? The reason I ask is I have a story in mind that I would like to do in first person but I do feel like it would be hard for me to do, like it's too personal. Almost as if I've let millions(ok well thousands I should say) into my diary and I'm more exposed? Or am I just a raving lunatic who needs some Zoloft or something.... Just wondering where ya'll stood on this. Thanks for your input

 

[sr71plt]

Yes, I think first person is more personal.

If it was personal in a way that I worried about writing it, in the first person or otherwise, I wouldn't write it at all--at least not in the form of erotica. (Not that I myself have had many qualms about writing personal erotica. But I've never thought about asking for counsel on it either.)

 

[Boxlicker101]

I just have a rather simple question for you all. When you're writing in first person do you feel more attached to the story then if you had written it in third person? Does the use of "I" instead of "Characters Name Here" make it that much more personal? The reason I ask is I have a story in mind that I would like to do in first person but I do feel like it would be hard for me to do, like it's too personal. Almost as if I've let millions(ok well thousands I should say) into my diary and I'm more exposed? Or am I just a raving lunatic who needs some Zoloft or something.... Just wondering where ya'll stood on this. Thanks for your input

Hi, Nicole, and welcome to Literotica and the AH. Speaking for myself, I certainly do feel more attached to a story that is in first person, and I ALWAYS use first person pronouns.

Not only that but, when I have had sex with a woman, even a prostitute, I have always felt a certain degree of bonding with her. I have written many first person stories, all fiction, about "myself" and different female fans, and I feel a similar bonding with them, even though we have never met. It's not something that lasts, and is rather enjoyable.

 

[CWatson]

If what you're worried about is revealing things about yoruself personally, then think about how many details your 3rd-person characters get from your life. Is there really going to be that much more in a 1P story? (Besides, a good writer can psychoanalyze you from your fiction no matter what perspective you write from. )

Personally, I find 3P easier because it allows for (slightly) shallower characterization. To write 1P, the character's voice has to be super distinct; as any fan of Catcher In The Rye will tell you, a good 1P narrator can make an entire book. So not only does the character have to be really interesting in themselves, I (as the writer) have to be extremely deep into their heads, and that's really hard for me to do. In 3P I can gloss it over more.

So, yes, I think 1P is more personal. Too personal to do frequently, for that matter.

 

[nicole_quinn26]

Oh I wouldn't be doing something that actually happened lol that would be too weird for me! Just a personal fantasy is the best way to put it. Thank you for the help so far it's much appreciated.

Also do you get more negative feedback for first person as a lot of people take it as a personal thing you did? Not that you can't expect negative feedback form time to time but is it more so as first person?

 

[TE999]

I just have a rather simple question for you all. When you're writing in first person do you feel more attached to the story then if you had written it in third person? Does the use of "I" instead of "Characters Name Here" make it that much more personal? The reason I ask is I have a story in mind that I would like to do in first person but I do feel like it would be hard for me to do, like it's too personal. Almost as if I've let millions(ok well thousands I should say) into my diary and I'm more exposed? Or am I just a raving lunatic who needs some Zoloft or something.... Just wondering where ya'll stood on this. Thanks for your input

Welcome to Lit and the AH Nicole.

I can't say I have more or less feeling for my characters writing in first or third person. My preferred style is in the third person since omniscence makes for more comprehensive storytelling IMHO.

Write in the style and level of detail you are comfortable with. Personal reminicinces can be disguised and your real name isn't used, so no problem there.

Good luck and post a link when your story is up.

 

[sr71plt]

Also do you get more negative feedback for first person as a lot of people take it as a personal thing you did? Not that you can't expect negative feedback form time to time but is it more so as first person?

The feedback I get for 1st person stories is, on the whole, more intense than for 3rd person and I get more feedback altogether on the 1st person stories. I get practically no negative feedback, so I couldn't gauge how much/whether tense was involved. Most of the negative feedback seems to have nothing to do with the way the story is written at all.

I do, yes, get feedback assuming that I was the protagonist--which is rarely the case, even though I doubt write about much that I haven't experienced and/or researched. I like to write from a variety of protagonist "realities," so my protagonist usually has an entirely different set of foibles than I do (or think I do).

 

[DeeZire]

I like flawed characters, and I like writing about them in 3rd person so that I can exploit their flaws. In first person, that would be more difficult. But I use both, depending on what seems to fit the story.

 

[AchtungNight]

If first person bugs you, I recommend you write the story in first person first and then write it again in third person limited, using the character you now know really well as narrator. Then publish the third person copy. I've accomplished much success with this method.

 

[tickledkitty]

Hey, Nicole. Yeah, I do feel a bit closer to the story writing in first person. which I realy like. It's very intimate, and, as sr said above, people do think you are the protagonist.

I think you should write it how ever it feels right to you. If you're thinking about it in first person, then that's probably how you should write it.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

It's really more the story than the voice. I've written hard-boiled detective stories in first-person where I didn't feel connected to my character at all, because he was more a caricature than a real character, and then I've written third person stories where I was really close to one of the characters I was writing. You can achieve a poignancy in third person you can't get in first person, and if you're dealing with really heavy emotions, sometimes you need the emotional distance of third person.

I find that, in general, most people prefer third person for their erotica. I always did (and still do). It's nicely voyeuristic. But lately I like writing in first person more because my own feelings interest me. It almost feels to me like all fiction should be written in first person. It should all be that personal. But then, it's always easier to write about your own feelings than it is to come up with a really good plot.

 

[Munachi]

even in third person, i often write out of the point of view of the main character. so it isn't that different, except that i think in third person i usually use more descriptions, in first person i guess more inner monologue... or sometimes i mix (right now i am writing something that has first person-parts out of two different people's point of view, and third person parts). in the end, it depends more on the story, how personal it feels to me, how much i feel it has to do with me.

 

[Boxlicker101]

It's really more the story than the voice. I've written hard-boiled detective stories in first-person where I didn't feel connected to my character at all, because he was more a caricature than a real character, and then I've written third person stories where I was really close to one of the characters I was writing. You can achieve a poignancy in third person you can't get in first person, and if you're dealing with really heavy emotions, sometimes you need the emotional distance of third person.

I find that, in general, most people prefer third person for their erotica. I always did (and still do). It's nicely voyeuristic. But lately I like writing in first person more because my own feelings interest me. It almost feels to me like all fiction should be written in first person. It should all be that personal. But then, it's always easier to write about your own feelings than it is to come up with a really good plot.

What's a plot?

 

[gauchecritic]

There's another drawback to 1st person. Lots of readers will actually think that the events happened to the author.
This can be extremely embarrassing but really shouldn't stop you from doing it.

 

[Boxlicker101]

There's another drawback to 1st person. Lots of readers will actually think that the events happened to the author.
This can be extremely embarrassing but really shouldn't stop you from doing it.

He's right. Sometimes I write in the first person about doing something, strictly making it up, and get feedback from people thinking I was writing non-fiction. I actually consider such feedback to be highly complimentary.

 

[sr71plt]

He's right. Sometimes I write in the first person about doing something, strictly making it up, and get feedback from people thinking I was writing non-fiction. I actually consider such feedback to be highly complimentary.

ditto. But half them also ask for a date. And I'm so sick of searching around for a good plastic surgeon.

 

[nicole_quinn26]

Haha! That's amazing. Though I did have a few people ask if my story was based on something I did in real life even though it's in third person so I suppose it doesn't matter. (Yeah because I wish I was four nine so some guy could do me at a rock concert.... seriously that would be sweet!)

Like I feel like the story is flowing through me in first person, but I might do the write it in first and third and see which I like better. Just because it is something that is rather personal only because it's based on someone I haven't been able to shake from my head (don'tcha hate that?) and I'm not sure if doing it in first person would make it weirder or harder. If that makes any matter of sense at all...

 

[rgraham666]

There's another drawback to 1st person. Lots of readers will actually think that the events happened to the author.
This can be extremely embarrassing but really shouldn't stop you from doing it.

When I write from the point of view of a vampire ripping twenty odd people apart with his claws I'm pretty certain they know I'm not writing about something that happened to me.

 

[Remec]

When I write from the point of view of a vampire ripping twenty odd people apart with his claws I'm pretty certain they know I'm not writing about something that happened to me.

Or you would hope so. And hope that, if not, you can manage to avoid that particular group of fans if/when you ever do a meet-and-greet or signing session.

 

[gauchecritic]

He's right. Sometimes I write in the first person about doing something, strictly making it up, and get feedback from people thinking I was writing non-fiction. I actually consider such feedback to be highly complimentary.

It was even weirder than that. I was thinking of a story that I wrote in first from a female pov.

I think a story will play out in whichever pov you decide. I tend to find that the story comes first and pov is secondary. I would guess that different povs would produce 'different' stories.

As a vague kind of rule I'd say it's not what happens, it's what happens to the people. (which is no help at all)

 

[surober1]

Hi Nicole,
I've been writing a serial story in the Celebs section based on a dream I had about...John Wayne...of all people! I've been writing the whole story in third person because I'm trying to delve into the fictional thoughts and feelings of all the important characters involved, so it couldn't be written in 1st person. But that doesn't mean it's not still intensely personal to me because a lot of the main female character is based on me...with a lot of fictional literary license taken as well! You know, write a story about how you wish and dream things were and not how they actually are! Anyway, it's been a very cathartic thing for me...I haven't needed any drugs, but alcohol sure has been helpful! You are the only person who can decide if you're brave enough to write something personal and then put it out there...you'll know what you're willing to risk and what you're not! Good Luck!

 

[sr71plt]

Hi Nicole,
I've been writing a serial story in the Celebs section based on a dream I had about...John Wayne...of all people! I've been writing the whole story in third person because I'm trying to delve into the fictional thoughts and feelings of all the important characters involved, so it couldn't be written in 1st person. But that doesn't mean it's not still intensely personal to me because a lot of the main female character is based on me...with a lot of fictional literary license taken as well! You know, write a story about how you wish and dream things were and not how they actually are! Anyway, it's been a very cathartic thing for me...I haven't needed any drugs, but alcohol sure has been helpful! You are the only person who can decide if you're brave enough to write something personal and then put it out there...you'll know what you're willing to risk and what you're not! Good Luck!

Hope Mae West is in it. John Wayne was her boy toy in the early years.

 

[SweetWitch]

I just have a rather simple question for you all. When you're writing in first person do you feel more attached to the story then if you had written it in third person? Does the use of "I" instead of "Characters Name Here" make it that much more personal? The reason I ask is I have a story in mind that I would like to do in first person but I do feel like it would be hard for me to do, like it's too personal. Almost as if I've let millions(ok well thousands I should say) into my diary and I'm more exposed? Or am I just a raving lunatic who needs some Zoloft or something.... Just wondering where ya'll stood on this. Thanks for your input

Hello and welcome.

First person always makes me feel like I'm intruding on the story. It can also narrow the scope of the story. As Dee said, it's much more difficult to exploit the flaws of the character in first, but it's also much more difficult to explore the whole of the human equation in that POV. At least for me...

 

[only_more_so]

For me the biggest difference is the ease with which I write. It is easier for me to write from the viewpoint of a character than someone outside the character. Even with third person omniscient or rider, it is just easier.

A consequence of that is that it becomes all too easy to inject aspects of my own personality into the characters. But on the flip side, it allows me to experiment with aspects of my personality that don't get expressed often (or at all) in daily life.

Regardless of the motivation behind what is written, how personal it is will depend on how much of yourself is in the writing. If you carefully craft the charcter from the outside, but it is still you, then it will be personal. If you can distance yourself from the character, but write through the character's eyes, then you can remain objective.

 

[sr71plt]

I didn't realize writing (in any voice) was supposed to be so hard. I'll have to go back and agonize more, I guess.