Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

 

                                          
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It should be noted that when a novelist chooses to write in first person, he establishes his protagonist's voice. Opting to do the first person point of view limits the language, the actions, and all that the character does in order to stay in that character's skin. His perceptions drive the story, and they must fit him or her.

I never used to enjoy first person POV. I might've enjoyed the stories, but I didn't look forward to reading first person. In recent times of reading Christian fiction there have been almost a majority of novels with first person POVs. If a reader doesn't like first person, he'd be hard pressed to find a novel to enjoy. I wrote six novels before trying a mixed first and third person POV (in Breath of Life). I found I liked writing in the first person and am currently engaged in another attempt at mixed POVs, primarily first person, in my police procedural.

What do you read, like, and write? Do you mix it up in your writing? Do you have a preference?

 

Father, thank you for the beauty of variety and the desire to reproduce it. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

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4 responses to “First Person”

  1. Brenda Anderson Avatar

    First person isn’t my favorite POV, but that’s because it’s rarely well done. While the claim is that 1st person gets the reader deeper into the protagonist’s psyche, because of that, the protag often comes off as selfish, arrogant. Also, too many writers of 1st person rely heavily on the word I. While its use is necessary, overuse is easy & common.
    Now, that said, when 1st person is well written, I thoroughly enjoy it. If I can pick up a book & not consciously tell myself “this is in 1st person,” then the author has done their job.
    As for Breath of Life, Nicole, I loved your first person narratives–your writing shone in those passages.

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  2. Nicole Avatar

    I agree with you, Bren, about the inclination to make the protag come off as selfish and/or arrogant. Or at least self-absorbed. And often at the expense of the other characters and their valuable perceptions.
    And you’re so good to me, Bren. Thank you.

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  3. BK Jackson (@BKJacksonAZ) Avatar

    I’m a dinosaur. I don’t like 1st person. Not that I haven’t read books in 1st person because I have. But it just always puts me off.
    I won’t say “never” but I have no plans at this time to write a novel in first person.

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  4. Nicole Avatar

    Hey, you’re not alone, Brenda. I tried it because I knew it was the direction the story was supposed to go. It’s limiting, but I confess I enjoyed being a man for awhile. 😉

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