Writing Questions

[Guest]

*Tries reeeeeeally, reeeeeeeally hard to think of one*

OK, here's something!

I know we've covered this before, but it's been a while, and it's always a good way to find out more about each others' writing processes.

Perspectives...

When writing, which perspective do you tend to use? (Yannow, first person, second person - urgh, third person - omni or limited, etc).

Do you consciously choose, or does it just kind of happen when you start to write?

Which one do you find the easiest?

Would you choose a different one for a different sub-genre? For example, I tend to use first person for pure erotica, but third (usually limited, and switching perspective between chars for each scene/chapter) for erotic horror or horror.

Have you ever done the dreaded (and very difficult to do and get right) chopping and changing (don't mean within 3rd person here, btw).

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?

Lou

 

[CrazyyAngel]

I'd say most common is third person and I have used it mostly. Second person is the hardest to achieve and you can get confused pretty fast.

I don't decide from the genre which person I use, I usually just write third person with only occasionally using first person ...

CA

 

[Guest]

I'd say most common is third person and I have used it mostly. Second person is the hardest to achieve and you can get confused pretty fast.

I don't decide from the genre which person I use, I usually just write third person with only occasionally using first person ...

CA

Cheers, CA! (Good to see you, btw )

Second person is the hardest (at least, I think it's the hardest to do well), but alas, it's usually over-used, and hardly ever done convincingly - except in letter form, of course.

Thanks for your take!

 

[tolyk]

I write mostly in third person omni, with some snippets in first person, such as journal entries, prologues, stuff like that. I find much more control of the actual story with third person. However, if I want to do really extensive character development of just the main character, I'll sometimes write fully in first. It changes the feel of the story, you learn how the character sees the world, not the narrarator.

 

[frozen_north]

I prefer to write in the first person. I find that it helps the reader place themselves in the story a bit easier if the story is written from that perspective. Almost like a journal entry or a memory.

 

[Liar]

Forst person subjective is really comfortable to write. Because I don't have to explain stuff. It's just the protagonist's point of view, and if I'm confused about a certain detail, I don't have to fix it. I can just have my narrator/protagonist mentioning the oddity with an "...and that was odd. Anyway, who cares? I was just about to open the door when..."

 

[she_is_my_addiction]

*Tries reeeeeeally, reeeeeeeally hard to think of one*

OK, here's something!

I know we've covered this before, but it's been a while, and it's always a good way to find out more about each others' writing processes.

Perspectives...

When writing, which perspective do you tend to use? (Yannow, first person, second person - urgh, third person - omni or limited, etc).

Do you consciously choose, or does it just kind of happen when you start to write?

Which one do you find the easiest?

Would you choose a different one for a different sub-genre? For example, I tend to use first person for pure erotica, but third (usually limited, and switching perspective between chars for each scene/chapter) for erotic horror or horror.

Have you ever done the dreaded (and very difficult to do and get right) chopping and changing (don't mean within 3rd person here, btw).

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?

Lou

Normally, I don't really like first person, but in certain instances, or just when the mood strikes, I'll use it. But usually I find it really hard to write a story written in first person.

I like using second person for short fiction stories and essays. It really does make for an interesting read, and if written right, puts you in the story.

Third person is my favorite, and lets me write as an outsider, thus being able to see every scene as I write it, without limiting myself (as I probably would if I used first person).

Quite possibly the main reason I never manage to finish any stories that I start is my grammar/English fear. I'm so terrible at overanalyzing myself and never trusting my writing. On top of that, my tenses change all over the place, and it becomes almost impossible and overwhelming to edit, LOL!

 

[Alex De Kok]

My early stuff was mostly first person (I was learning!) but these days I write more third person, but still the occasional first. Not that I've written much lately. I detest second person with a deep and abiding loathing. It only works for that audience of one it was written for. Which might explain why I've only ever written one. It's posted on Lit in its converted-to-third-person form (A date for the Prom, if anyone's interested - my most-voted-on story!)

As for choosing which to use, I've seen me start a piece in third and switch to first, and vice-versa. choice for genre? Depends on the characters more than anything else. Switching between? Yes, in third person. Otherwise, dunno. But it's getting late, I have forty lines of poetry to write for an OU assignment, and I'm tired.

Alex

 

[AchtungNight]

I have ranged across the board. In the past I wrote third-person omniscient, thinking out the hearts and minds of almost every character. That never really satisfied me though. These days I usually write third-person limited, keeping the same narrator all throughout. Occasionally, though, I end up changing the narrator for each scene (as in X-Men 3: Additional Aftermath, my most popular story here). Sometimes I have used first person as well. I think I prefer the third-person though, if only because it enables better detachment. Never used second.

 

[rgraham666]

I started out with third person. These days I seem to prefer first.

I'm going to try to do third again in the future, just to see if I remember how.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

*Tatelou Tries reeeeeeally, reeeeeeeally hard to think of one*

OK, here's something!

I know we've covered this before, but it's been a while, and it's always a good way to find out more about each others' writing processes.

Perspectives...

When writing, which perspective do you tend to use? (Yannow, first person, second person - urgh, third person - omni or limited, etc).
Rumple Response: third person limited

Do you consciously choose, or does it just kind of happen when you start to write?
Rumple Response: If it doesn't "kind of happen" then I "consciously choose."

Which one do you find the easiest?
Rumple Respone: Third person limited

Would you choose a different one for a different sub-genre? For example, I tend to use first person for pure erotica, but third (usually limited, and switching perspective between chars for each scene/chapter) for erotic horror or horror.
Rumple Response: Nope

Have you ever done the dreaded (and very difficult to do and get right) chopping and changing (don't mean within 3rd person here, btw).
Rumple Response: Say what?

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?
Rumple Response: Nope

Lou
Rumple Foreskin

 

[impressive]

Perspectives...

When writing, which perspective do you tend to use? (Yannow, first person, second person - urgh, third person - omni or limited, etc).

Mostly third limited these days. Bel & I do well with third omni, though. First person for short, short erotica. Second person on a dare (once) -- and not a letter form.

Do you consciously choose, or does it just kind of happen when you start to write?

Tis a choice based on intended audience, length, mood.

Which one do you find the easiest?

Third limited.

Would you choose a different one for a different sub-genre? For example, I tend to use first person for pure erotica, but third (usually limited, and switching perspective between chars for each scene/chapter) for erotic horror or horror.

Naw (see above).

Have you ever done the dreaded (and very difficult to do and get right) chopping and changing (don't mean within 3rd person here, btw).

Huh?

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?

Nice ass.

 

[FallingToFly]

When writing, which perspective do you tend to use? (Yannow, first person, second person - urgh, third person - omni or limited, etc).[/B]

I've tried all three. Third is easiest, and my first attempt with a real first person went over like hotcakes on a griddle, so apparently I have that down okay. I have a second/first person viewpoint that is weird, adn I may throw it about and see what people think.

Do you consciously choose, or does it just kind of happen when you start to write?

Uhm. Yes.

Which one do you find the easiest?

Third.

Would you choose a different one for a different sub-genre? For example, I tend to use first person for pure erotica, but third (usually limited, and switching perspective between chars for each scene/chapter) for erotic horror or horror.

Nope.

Have you ever done the dreaded (and very difficult to do and get right) chopping and changing (don't mean within 3rd person here, btw).

Huh?

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?

Writing is a bitch. We all know this. That's why we do it. We all love a challenge.

 

[S-Des]

I think it depends on what you're trying to accompish. 3rd person is easier for the audience to understand and the sex can be much hotter because it can be described from different views. You can still tell the story mostly from one character's perspective, just by saying what he is seeing and ignoring the other character's reactions.

I write very emotional stories with lots of pain for the characters (it's kind of my thing). I find it easier to communicate that in 1st person because you get to see what's happening as the character sees it and feel his/her emotions first hand. Also, it allows for plot twists because if the character only sees part of the truth (or someone lies to him), the audience has the same general reaction the character does. I find writing the sex scenes really difficult because you always have to keep in mind what the character sees.

I wrote a story where the man's wife cheated in a hotel room with a female friend and two strippers. Even though it was videotaped, I had to tone down the sex because it would have been impossible for him to see exactly what was going on from a single camera angle. I was kind of bummed because I thought it was a great setup for something really erotic. Maybe if I was a better writer . . . who knows?

 

[geronimo_appleby]

could someone lay out on here, or IM me and give me a run-down on each of the P's OV? I have no technical knowledge whatsoever and just wing it.

i'm not very bright, but i can run like the wind blows.

 

[Liar]

could someone lay out on here, or IM me and give me a run-down on each of the P's OV? I have no technical knowledge whatsoever and just wing it.

i'm not very bright, but i can run like the wind blows.

If you can give me a run-down of what an "OV" is, then I might give it a shot.

 

[AngeloMichael]

My favorite writing style, and I guess you could call it my "default mode" is third person limited. I like writing stories from the POV of just one character at a time but having breaks where the POV switches characters.

I do write in first person now and then, but I have to consciously decide to use that POV.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

could someone lay out on here, or IM me and give me a run-down on each of the P's OV? I have no technical knowledge whatsoever and just wing it.

i'm not very bright, but i can run like the wind blows.

Here's an easy breakdown of Point of View with a chart at the bottom and everything... reproduced it here as best I could...

Point of View|Subject|What you can see

First Person Subjective|I|Narrator inside, other characters outside
First Person Objective|I|Narrator outside, other characters outside
First Person Collective|We|Group inside, other characters outside
Second Person|You|Focus character inside, other characters outside
Third Person Omniscient|He/She|All characters inside and outside
Third Person Limited Omniscient|He/She|Focus character inside and outside, other characters outside
Third Person Limited Subjective|He/She|Focus character inside, other characters outside
Third Person Limited Objective|He/She|Focus character outside, other characters outside
Third Person Objective|He/She|All characters outside

Also, this is a great article: Who's Afraid of Point of View?

 

[S-Des]

Here's an easy breakdown of Point of View with a chart at the bottom and everything... reproduced it here as best I could...

Point of View|Subject|What you can see

First Person Subjective|I|Narrator inside, other characters outside
First Person Objective|I|Narrator outside, other characters outside
First Person Collective|We|Group inside, other characters outside
Second Person|You|Focus character inside, other characters outside
Third Person Omniscient|He/She|All characters inside and outside
Third Person Limited Omniscient|He/She|Focus character inside and outside, other characters outside
Third Person Limited Subjective|He/She|Focus character inside, other characters outside
Third Person Limited Objective|He/She|Focus character outside, other characters outside
Third Person Objective|He/She|All characters outside

Also, this is a great article: Who's Afraid of Point of View?

You know, you should start your own Web site and kick Webster's ass. The Encyclopedia SelenaKittyn . . . has a nice ring to it.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

You know, you should start your own Web site and kick Webster's ass. The Encyclopedia SelenaKittyn . . . has a nice ring to it.

It's called "Google!"

 

[CharleyH]

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?

Lou

I have much to say, yet just bumping so this does not get lost for now.

 

[Bizkit_Writer]

I try the second person but it always gets me frustrated and I always go back to the first person. UGH! I feel like I'm in a rut when I'm in first person! Hell I always write in first person.

 

[Boxlicker101]

*Tries reeeeeeally, reeeeeeeally hard to think of one*

OK, here's something!

I know we've covered this before, but it's been a while, and it's always a good way to find out more about each others' writing processes.

Perspectives...

When writing, which perspective do you tend to use? (Yannow, first person, second person - urgh, third person - omni or limited, etc).

Do you consciously choose, or does it just kind of happen when you start to write?

Which one do you find the easiest?

Would you choose a different one for a different sub-genre? For example, I tend to use first person for pure erotica, but third (usually limited, and switching perspective between chars for each scene/chapter) for erotic horror or horror.

Have you ever done the dreaded (and very difficult to do and get right) chopping and changing (don't mean within 3rd person here, btw).

Anything else you wanna say about this topic?

Lou

The majority of my stories are in first person but, for the last two years or so, I have been writing more in third person. I have never written in second person and probably never will. I also always write in past tense because those seem like the easiest way to go.

I have even been trying to write mainly in a female POV when I do third person. What little feedback I get is encouraging but I don't get much of it.

 

[S-Des]

The majority of my stories are in first person but, for the last two years or so, I have been writing more in third person. I have never written in second person and probably never will. I also always write in past tense because those seem like the easiest way to go.

I have even been trying to write mainly in a female POV when I do third person. What little feedback I get is encouraging but I don't get much of it.

Tell me about it. My last story was written in three chapters, 1st was first person (wife), 2nd was first person (husband), 3rd was narrative. I was so excited because it was the first time I wrote from a woman's POV and it was loaded with sex (by far the most I'd done in a story). I got a female editor (actually 2) to help me with her motivation and describing sex and being aroused from a woman's perspective. I rewrote it a dozen times to get it just right and even had a female prereader say some very glowing things (some that made me blush).

So what happens? The story comes out and not a single comment (not a freaking one) about the sex, her POV, or even the chapter in general. Everyone just speculated on what would happen in the upcoming chapters and whether they'd like it or not. Actually, that's not true. Some people complained that they couldn't understand the husband's reactions (which would seem to be understandable since it was told from her POV and clearly said at the bottom it was To Be Continued . . . ). I thought most people would understand without me having to tell them that his actions would be explained later (silly me).

 

[Boxlicker101]

Tell me about it. My last story was written in three chapters, 1st was first person (wife), 2nd was first person (husband), 3rd was narrative. I was so excited because it was the first time I wrote from a woman's POV and it was loaded with sex (by far the most I'd done in a story). I got a female editor (actually 2) to help me with her motivation and describing sex and being aroused from a woman's perspective. I rewrote it a dozen times to get it just right and even had a female prereader say some very glowing things (some that made me blush).

So what happens? The story comes out and not a single comment (not a freaking one) about the sex, her POV, or even the chapter in general. Everyone just speculated on what would happen in the upcoming chapters and whether they'd like it or not. Actually, that's not true. Some people complained that they couldn't understand the husband's reactions (which would seem to be understandable since it was told from her POV and clearly said at the bottom it was To Be Continued . . . ). I thought most people would understand without me having to tell them that his actions would be explained later (silly me).

When I get feedback and I can respond, I do. If it is from a woman, I hint that I could maybe write a story about her. If she is agreeable, I do so, and write it in her POV. I get feedback from her as I go, and it helps me write from a woman's POV or, in one case, from that of a TS. I think it's also more fun to write on that basis.