First person vs. third person?

Question

I started out writing my novel in third person, then on the sixth chapter I switched to first to see which style worked better for the book. After that, the writing went very smoothly and it was easier to capture my main character's emotions, as well as the action and dialogue. It just seemed to click.

However, I really don't know if I should keep it this way or try to revert it back to third person. Is there one way that is preferred among editors? By the way, I'm still rewriting and am nowhere near the stage where I feel ready to look for agents. Persi, I know you'll suggest hiring a professional editor, and that's already been lined up, but I'm not ready to send it out to her yet.

I know that writing it in first limits what I can do with the story's point of view, especially since it's a series, and the third book is going to branch out to a different character's perspective briefly. I think I've figured out a way around that, but I don't want to get so far into this that I can't change it later if I have to.

And I wasn't inspired by Stephenie Meyer's writing Twilight in first person; in fact, it's the main reason I fought very hard with myself about whether I should try it in first. I've had one honest test reader read it both ways and tell me it should stay in first, and my other three test readers have said they couldn't imagine it written any other way.

My decision is still bothering me very much, though, and I'd love to hear some opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of both points of view.

Answer 1

Advantages of third person omniscient = you can know everything about everyone all the time, with no figuring out how to 'branch out into another character's perspective briefly' (which sounds pretty unwieldy to me).



Advantages of first person writing = you can run with the protagonist, sort of like Farley running with wolves, 'at one' with all the impressions, thoughts and perceptions of that character. Forget 'branching out,' is my advice. Just grow your whole first person POV tree and see what those connected branches cover. A writer can be surprised.

Answer 2

First person POV and third person are the most common POVs used in fictional writing, so editors are used to seeing manuscripts from either on a very regular basis. If you feel happier writing in first person (and I'm guessing in the past tense?) then that's what you should go with. Whatever makes the words come easier!!



The POV that IS hard to sell is second person: "You decide to go out for a walk, and you enjoy the sun on your face." It takes a really gifted writer to pull that one off!



Good luck with your novel. Make sure you get people other than friends to proof it though.

Answer 3

I've kept mine in third person even though the main focus is on one character. It allows me a little more description and generally I like it better.



I have seen some very effective novels and short stories done in first person, however, Some authors seem to really like to experiment with both styles. I have even read novels that switched back and forth.



A lot depends on how well you think it is working. If it flows and helps you write it better, I'd say go for it.

Answer 4

If you feel comfortable in first person, love, then run with it. I read a very interesting book once that swung from first to third person. For instance, the narrator would tell the story as he saw it, and then it would go to the third person, describing what the police and other characters were doing. May be worth a shot. But as I say, it's best to go with what you feel comfortable.



Good luck Mike B.

Answer 5

If first person comes naturally, then go with that. Of all the author and agent blogs I read, one recurring topic is how writers need to not stress about what they think others in the publishing biz might like, but rather to write the best story they can in the way that suits them best.

Answer 6

I quite like novels written from the narrator's perspective. A third person story can seem quite distant to you personally but a first person perspective can bring you closer to the character as you are inside their head. My favourite books written in first person are the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. In one, "Something Rotten", the first person changes to another character as the main character is in the coma. This is quite effective as you suddenly see the sheer horror of what has happened to the storyteller. (She was shot in this case)

Answer 7

It depends on the writer. Which are you more comfortable with?



I write in 1st POV. Though, sometimes, the story requires a POV that matches its theme.



-tepishane-