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| This is actually First Person Cat |
I've always been a third person writer--always--until now. I've recently started a YA novel (insert gasp here) and I wanted to try my hand at first person (place hand over mouth and add another gasp). Yes, it was tough at first. I've always preferred third person in both reading and writing, but finally, I've given in to the dark side...and frankly, I'm liking it. ;)
Now, I will still always write certain books/genres in the third person--which I still love. The Nightshade Chronicles is in third and writing an animal fantasy (especially with a large cast of characters) from the first person perspective might be, well, tricky...but still...interesting. Yes, the moment I wrote that an idea sparked--stupid ideas--always getting me into trouble! We'll just tuck that one away for a much later date.
So, at this point, I really do enjoy both, but what is your preference--first or third? Does it matter to you? Do you read one and write the other?
I like both, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how many writers are loyal to one or the other. Good for you, being open about it, Rena! :)
DeleteMy preference has always been third - I think it comes from reading epic fantasy - but as a YA writer, I've discovered that first often works much better for that kind of character. The teenage mind is self-centered by nature, so it makes it easier for readers to connect, I think.
ReplyDeleteNow, the thing I can't decide on is tense. I used to be strictly past-tense, and I hated present, but now the new WIP I'm drafting? You guessed it, present tense.
Writing in present confounds me! I couldn't do it! Good luck!
DeleteMy position is more and more sliding against 1st person. Not because of the 1st person itself but because so many authors use it as an excuse for sloppy writing. "Oh, no, that's just the way that character talks/thinks/whatever." No, really, it's just that you don't know how to write and don't want to be bothered to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteNot saying this about you, of course, and I love the Dresden books, which are 1st person, but it seems to be such a big trend in YA because it's such an easy out for actually knowing grammar and punctuation rules.
Andrew, it is popular right now. Recently, I've read a few great books with the 1st person point of view. The Percy Jackson series and The Replacement, among them. I totally understand your point of view. They are out there, though! I'll have to check out the Dresden books! ;)
DeleteI didn't like Percy Jackson at all. I felt all the way through that the author kept telling us his character was one way (by having the character repeatedly say he was a particular way) but never backed that up with the actions of the character. Which is why he had to tell us, because we never would have thought of Percy in the ways the author wanted us to if he didn't tell us to do it.
DeleteI'm a third person person. I think some of it has to do with my College profs - they claimed that stories 'must' be written in third person. And I think some of it has to do with the fact that everyone seems to be using first person. By nature, I like to be different :)
ReplyDeleteT., yes, everything I read/studied in school was 3rd. It rubbed off on me too. At one point, I wouldn't have touched a 1st person novel!
DeleteI've only used 3rd person limited and really enjoy that. But I think it's good to try different things. So excited you're writing a YA book. I'm trying to write one too.
ReplyDeleteOh, yay, Natalie! We can break into YA together! It's fun, but so vastly different than anything I've EVER written! It's truly exciting!
DeleteWith my YA novel I am bouncing back and forth between first and third, experimenting. Two successful YA novelist-friends of mine ONLY write in first person.
ReplyDeleteThat's so smart to experiment, Scotti! I'm too impatient to do that. I decide on a point of view and go! I recently was at a conference and came home with a load of new YA books. It was about 50/50 third and first, so there are still lots of third person YA, which is great!
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