Third or First Person?
It’s a decision every writer has to make. Third person or first person? I am going from one to the other at the moment, trying to decide which one fits best and, to be honest, which one I find the easiest to write and I’m at a bit of a loss.
I find the first person good for getting into the head of my character but is third person better for an inexperienced writer? I’ll write one way for a while and then switch, not being able to decide which one is better for me and which one suits my story.
Which one do you find the easiest? Do you favour one over the other?
by 
I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
6 Responses to Third or First Person?
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When I first started writing I used the first person as somehow it seemed easier to tell the story. However it does put restrictions on the story if you can only see things from one person’s viewpoint.
Now after gaining more experience I think whichever you use depends on the story you are actually telling. Certainly my current writing lends itself to the third person. My plots are complex and the reader needs to be able to see things from different perspectives. However, the next book I plan is going to be a complete departure from the other five I have written so far. It may, I think, lend itself to writing in the first person and who knows, maybe sometimes it’s good to give one perspective a rest and use the other to bring a freshness to your work!
Great advice Joanna. Let the book tell you which point of view you should be in.
I almost always write in the first person, although I’m not adverse making that first person an unreliable narrator.
What made you decide that first person was your preferred method? I am finding 1st person easier in my case at the moment.
I much prefer 1st person writing (for both reading and writin), it’s good to have a characters thoughts right there. 3rd person comes across a bit flat to me.
I am finding that with the writing I am doing although I don’t mind reading in either. Someone I know hates reading in the 1st person.