FA+
Shop
First vs. Third Person
12 years ago
Anyone have a strong preference about this? Anyone think I do one better than the other?
I ask because I'm trying to decide whether to write a new little story in first or third and struggling with it. I've noticed my approach to writing the two are totally different.
First-person: writing is fast and easy, especially if done in present tense. It's easier to convey sarcasm, or really any kind of character voice, in this point of view. My approach is more stream-of-conciousness, focusing on writing down interesting things and making all the writing clever and fun. Everything feels a little more interesting in general, but when it comes time for The Big Moments, it feels harder to pull them off. The Big Bang is a good example of this.
Third-person: writing is slow and meticulous. I focus on picking the right words and the right diction and syntax for every sentence. I focus less on making everything interesting and more on making everything right and consistent. It feels way harder to make setup / plot / dialogue scenes more interesting--often I just get frustrated and think, "Come on, would anyone really want to read this scene? Or any of this story?" But I feel like when I stick with it and invest a lot of time editing, I have more control over the story and am able to convey emotion rather deeply. Diverging Roads is a good example of this.
Thoughts? Experiences? My headspaces are just drastically different for the two, for some reason...
ETA: mostly saying this because, well, I've kind of had it on the back of my mind forever, and when I considered writing this story in first rather than third, my whole understanding of it completely changed. Weird...
I ask because I'm trying to decide whether to write a new little story in first or third and struggling with it. I've noticed my approach to writing the two are totally different.
First-person: writing is fast and easy, especially if done in present tense. It's easier to convey sarcasm, or really any kind of character voice, in this point of view. My approach is more stream-of-conciousness, focusing on writing down interesting things and making all the writing clever and fun. Everything feels a little more interesting in general, but when it comes time for The Big Moments, it feels harder to pull them off. The Big Bang is a good example of this.
Third-person: writing is slow and meticulous. I focus on picking the right words and the right diction and syntax for every sentence. I focus less on making everything interesting and more on making everything right and consistent. It feels way harder to make setup / plot / dialogue scenes more interesting--often I just get frustrated and think, "Come on, would anyone really want to read this scene? Or any of this story?" But I feel like when I stick with it and invest a lot of time editing, I have more control over the story and am able to convey emotion rather deeply. Diverging Roads is a good example of this.
Thoughts? Experiences? My headspaces are just drastically different for the two, for some reason...
ETA: mostly saying this because, well, I've kind of had it on the back of my mind forever, and when I considered writing this story in first rather than third, my whole understanding of it completely changed. Weird...
For example, Catcher in the Rye is Holden Caulfield's story. Harry Potter is a story (mostly) focused on Harry. That's the best way I can imagine it. I hope this stuff makes sense!
Also, there's a bit of a happy medium between the two. Third person limited. Third person, but you only follow one character and can put in his thoughts.
I think they're honestly equivilent as storytelling methods, but not for each author.
My third person perspective is always very close to one character, never venturing into the thoughts of another unless I make a scene change to another character's head.
Writing** not waiting