So you've invented a character who is simply too witty and alluring to not narrate your new novel. It puts a fun spin on a story, and often it makes it more natural for the writer. However, you should be aware what you are getting yourself into...
Beware of Limited Omniscience: When writing in third person, you, as the writer are free to jump to any place at any time, and delve into whomever's thoughts you choose. With first person however, the narrator possess the same perceptive abilities as a real human. Unless they're a wizard, or Raven Baxter...
You Can Have Only One Main Character: You have given the story over to one of your characters, giving them the privilege to tell a story. Unless you are writing in second person, the story really can't focus too much on another character. Considering the fact that your narrator cannot observe anything about this other person that a regular individual would, it really doesn't do your story any favors if the plot revolves around someone else. You've created a great character here; let them take the stage.
Readers Often Become More Emotionally Invested: Think about it--with third person, the reader is forced to follow along wherever you take them, and while this may give them a choice regarding who they choose to place their interest in, when it comes to first person, you give them one choice. This knowledge often forces us to create a timeless, likable character. You have chosen to develop all the ins and outs of one particular character who carries the story on their shoulder, but you are also burdened with the fact that they have to be a really special person, since you are forcing the reader to pay attention primarily to the them.
What are your thoughts and experiences regarding first person? Please share them in the comments below!
Written by: Karoline Kingley
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Writing in 1st Person: The Pros and Cons
So you've invented a character who is simply too witty and alluring to not narrate your new novel. It puts a fun spin on a story, and often it makes it more natural for the writer. However, you should be aware what you are getting yourself into...
Beware of Limited Omniscience: When writing in third person, you, as the writer are free to jump to any place at any time, and delve into whomever's thoughts you choose. With first person however, the narrator possess the same perceptive abilities as a real human. Unless they're a wizard, or Raven Baxter...
You Can Have Only One Main Character: You have given the story over to one of your characters, giving them the privilege to tell a story. Unless you are writing in second person, the story really can't focus too much on another character. Considering the fact that your narrator cannot observe anything about this other person that a regular individual would, it really doesn't do your story any favors if the plot revolves around someone else. You've created a great character here; let them take the stage.
Readers Often Become More Emotionally Invested: Think about it--with third person, the reader is forced to follow along wherever you take them, and while this may give them a choice regarding who they choose to place their interest in, when it comes to first person, you give them one choice. This knowledge often forces us to create a timeless, likable character. You have chosen to develop all the ins and outs of one particular character who carries the story on their shoulder, but you are also burdened with the fact that they have to be a really special person, since you are forcing the reader to pay attention primarily to the them.
What are your thoughts and experiences regarding first person? Please share them in the comments below!
Written by: Karoline Kingley
Beware of Limited Omniscience: When writing in third person, you, as the writer are free to jump to any place at any time, and delve into whomever's thoughts you choose. With first person however, the narrator possess the same perceptive abilities as a real human. Unless they're a wizard, or Raven Baxter...
You Can Have Only One Main Character: You have given the story over to one of your characters, giving them the privilege to tell a story. Unless you are writing in second person, the story really can't focus too much on another character. Considering the fact that your narrator cannot observe anything about this other person that a regular individual would, it really doesn't do your story any favors if the plot revolves around someone else. You've created a great character here; let them take the stage.
Readers Often Become More Emotionally Invested: Think about it--with third person, the reader is forced to follow along wherever you take them, and while this may give them a choice regarding who they choose to place their interest in, when it comes to first person, you give them one choice. This knowledge often forces us to create a timeless, likable character. You have chosen to develop all the ins and outs of one particular character who carries the story on their shoulder, but you are also burdened with the fact that they have to be a really special person, since you are forcing the reader to pay attention primarily to the them.
What are your thoughts and experiences regarding first person? Please share them in the comments below!
Written by: Karoline Kingley
2 comments :
I love writing in 1st person. I'm working on a project right now that requires this and you're right, it just pulls the reader's emotions in. I like reading books written this way too. Vilette by Charlotte Bronte is an exceptional example of how to do it right! ;)
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Personally, I like it simply because I think it's easier and more natural! I've never really considered the pros and cons. I liked this post, because it made me think.
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I love writing in 1st person. I'm working on a project right now that requires this and you're right, it just pulls the reader's emotions in. I like reading books written this way too. Vilette by Charlotte Bronte is an exceptional example of how to do it right! ;)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like it simply because I think it's easier and more natural! I've never really considered the pros and cons. I liked this post, because it made me think.
ReplyDelete