Over the past couple of years I’ve had the privilege of going on the most amazing ad
ventures. You guys wouldn’t believe the places I saw firsthand, the people I met, and what I experienced while on those journeys. Or maybe you would, if you’ve ever read a 1st person POV novel.
2011 was an exceptionally good year for me and my adventurous nature. I was a tribute in The Hunger Games and survived to tell my kids about it. My sister was murdered in Dublin and I went to find out the truth behind it, only to discover that I can see through fae glamour to what’s beneath, and that I can do a bunch of other neat tricks(this was a favorite of mine). I got to be a half-angel, a kickass shaman, a girly girl who wears too much pink and carries a tazer with her, and a shape shifter. Those are only the things I remember right now.
This is exactly why I love 1st person POV so much. I get to be the character, experience what he/she is going through, go to the places they go, and do things I never thought possible.
Some of you might remember I posted about tone and first lines two weeks ago. I received a comment from one of our regular commenters, bwtaylor75, who asked why I preferred my POV. I took it as a challenge. He wrote a post of his own wherein he stated why he dislikes 1st person. I’m writing this not to prove him wrong, only to share my view.
The first three paragraphs of this post do a pretty decent job at starting my reasoning for why I write my POV. Yes, I read 3rd person as well, I’m busy with such a novel right now, but there’s a little something extra special for me in 1st person POV.
They say ‘write what you know’. Then they say ‘write what you don’t know’. I once read ‘write the story you want to read’ and that’s exactly what I’m doing with every novel I write, have written, and will write. And what I want to read is 1st person POV.
This might be a little selfish, but I write 1st person for me. I get to be this character I’ve put together and decide to torture by having her make bad decisions, sending her into situations that most likely won’t end well, and I enjoy every second of it. If I’m going to spend between 65k and 80k words with her, I’m going to make sure that not a second of that time is wasted.
I don’t write it because it’s easier, never that, each POV offers its own challenges and difficulties. I write it because of the reasons mentioned above and because it works for me. It’s my preferred POV.
I’m going to say that, and you can disagree if you want, if you think writing 1st person POV is limiting, you’re not doing it right. There are ways to make it work and you have to find the one that works for you.
This once again comes down to personal preference. If you as a reader find 1st limiting, that’s okay, read something else. If you as a writer find it limiting, it’s okay, writer another POV. It’s as simple as that.
You say 1st POV has its limits. Yes, my main character can’t be everywhere and see everything BUT THAT’S PART OF THE FUN AND MYSTERY. I say 3rd POV has its limits. No, sometimes I don’t get to the bones of who your main character is BUT I GET TO EXPERIENCE OTHER THINGS AND VIEW YOUR WORLD FROM A DIFFERENT PLACE. We work around the obstacles both provide and make them work to our advantage. How’s that for compromise?
And I dare anybody to say writing 1st person is easier than 3rd because I’ll say to you WHAT! Both of these POVs have their own challenges and we write the one that will work best for our stories. Mine just happen to be 1st. Yours is 3rd.
Taylor, you’re a kickass guy and I always love reading your comments, but I respectfully disagree with most of what you posted about the limiting light of 1st person. I know you won’t take this wrong, and we’re having fun with this discussion. My POV isn’t one dimensional, and saying it is, is like saying the person sitting next to you experiences and sees the world in black and white with no shades of gray at all. Conflicting emotion, circumstances, external and internal situations, and problems. Those things create the shades. We as the writers have to do right and make sure those things are done correctly. Maybe you just haven’t been reading the right 1st person POVs.
I’m just saying, have your thinking be as wide as the ocean. No limits. In YA especially, our main characters are MCs for a reason. Yes, he/she is that important. We wouldn’t have a story otherwise.
So why do I write 1st person POV? Because I get to be somebody else for a while. I write it, and read it, for the adventures it sends me on. A little selfish? Maybe. But they also say we should write for ourselves, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
Why do you write what you write?
Courtney Koschel has been writing since she could hold a crayon. She has worked as a journalist, editor, technical writer, and technical editor. Young adult fiction is near and dear to her heart, which is why she writes YA and all of its glorious sub-genres.
Tonia Marie Houston is a mother, writer, poet, bookworm, and blogger. When sheís not chasing her three spider monkeys, she spends her time revising a young adult novel about life after death and second chances. Though she began to pursue her career later in life, she hopes to inspire and motivate other writers to put their best book forward.
This native Texan now lives with her Scottish hubby in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where she wanders the moors in search of William Wallace. She has been a guest blogger on Writer Unboxed and is currently working on the sequel to her YA supernatural novel, Touched by Darkness.
Jamie Raintree writes what she likes to call everyday fairytale love stories, featuring the little moments in life that are truly magical. She lives in Arizona with her husband and daughter and is currently editing her second novel.
Jani Grey is a South African ambivert, writer, reader, optimist, and bacon enthusiast. When her boss isnít looking she writes, revises, or edits YA Urban Fantasies in between work. Sheís sneaky like that. Sheís a NaNoWriMo addict and is currently working on two NaNo novels.
Rebecca Fields is a modern gypsy, roaming from place to place in search of ñ well, sheíll let you know when she finds it. Writing has become a way for her to share her adventures, both real and imagined. Along with her on her journey are her son and an assortment of rescued animals.
arabwriterchick
April 25, 2012 at 5:12 am
Great post! I’m working on my first novel and it’s in the 1st person pov so far (unless i change it midway). It’s the ideal pov for the beginning writer from what i hear because it’s more intuitive.
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 10:21 am
How exciting! First novels are very much about exploring who you are as a writer and finding out what works for you. If you change your mind, no problem. That’s what rewrites are for
Thanks for commenting!
Juliana Haygert
April 25, 2012 at 7:48 am
As always, great post Jani.
I write both 1st person and 3rd person, it depends on the story.
Sometimes, I want to travel for a while in the footsteps of the hero, so, when I want to alternate between heroine and hero, I go for 3rd person. When I know I won’t change POVs, I go for 1st, because I like the intimacy it gives me. And I agree with you, if done right, 1st person is not limiting at all. Take ALL of Richelle Mead books for example … all of them are 1st person and she creates complex plots and complex worlds. Love all of her books, btw lol
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 10:31 am
Thanks, Juliana! I’m going to rewrite another novel of mine from 1st to 3rd, just to see what it’ll look like when it’s done, so it’s not like I’m closed minded about the idea of writing 3rd. I’ll try anything once. Good example. I knew you’d pick up on the Richelle Mead
Tonia Marie Houston
April 25, 2012 at 8:18 am
This is a great discussion. My first manuscript is 3rd person, but my current baby is 1st person pov. I’ve found it harder to write in first person than third. But after a little internal debate, I decided once and for all that this story is meant to be 1st person. It is a ghost story I want to tell from my mc’s pov.
It is challenging- I have to dig inside my mc’s head, and just when I think I’m done, I have to take it further. It’s an intense experience and I’m happy to be learning from it.
“Write what you want to read” is one of the best pieces of advice there is.
I can’t wait to hear what others have to say.
Tonia Marie Houston
April 25, 2012 at 8:36 am
I just want to take a quick moment to add that I think pov is dependant on the story we want to tell. I never thought I would write a story in 1st, but when the story takes over, I’m not the boss anymore. I suppose that makes me a cautionary tale- the Biebs is right about one thing-”never say never.”
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 11:07 am
lol Love the ‘never say never’! It might be the smartest thing the boy has ever said. And you’re so right! We go where the story takes us, be it the plot or the POV.
vaughnroycroft
April 25, 2012 at 8:48 am
My own work is third, but it’s pretty deep third. I utilize italicized thought often, bringing my characters’ direct experience to light. Some don’t like the technique, but I enjoy it both as a reader and a writer. It has the side benefit of eliminating the need for tagging thought (i.e. ‘Third person rocks,’ he thought. ‘Although first has its merits.’) If there’s one thing I dislike about first, it’s the amount of overheard conversation and hiding in closets, etc. that some authors use to ‘force’ needed exposition to the conciousness of the sole POV.
Having said that, I do love so many books from first POV. The work of Jacqueline Carey comes to mind. Experiencing Terre de Ange from Phedre’s, Imriel’s, and Moirin’s POVs was illuminating, but experiening their personalities so intimately made the work more powerful.
Another technique I loved was one Therese Walsh (co-founder of Writer Unboxed) used to great effect in her debut Last Will of Moira Leahy. She alternated by chapter between two sisters’ POVs, one in present day and first person, the other in flashback in third. The third gave the sister the perfect distance, and gave the reader a great awareness, even beyond what the primary protag could’ve known, adding insight into her present day plight.
This is a fun conversation, Jani! I certainly don’t have any powerful animosity for first. I would even like to try it someday, even for just a short story. I just felt the breadth of my story would not be served by first. My work is epic scope fantasy; over the course of my trilogy I feature the POVs of over a dozen charaters, from both sides of the story conflicts. I LOVE writing from antagonists’ POVs. I’m hoping it gives the work depth, as well.
Fun to see and hear what others think of ‘the great POV divide.’
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 1:03 pm
It’s interesting to read about how you write, so thanks for sharing. I have a fantasy that’s told from dual POVs and I like getting to write these two different worlds and the people in them. As you said, I don’t have a dislike of any POVs, it’s just a matter of preference. I still want to write something from an antagonist’s POV, it should be interesting.
Courtney Koschel
April 25, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I really like, and enjoy, the technique of using italics for thoughts. It’s definitely an intimate third person POV. I also adore the alternating third and first. I think it’s not only interesting, but the reader gets a little of everything. Love that technique. I also like when writers alternate not only POVs but tenses as well.
George R. R Martin is such a master at multiple POV. He does a good job of showing
the reader everyone’s side and their motivation. It definitely makes for a tense story.
I would love to read more from the antagonist! I write from their POV when I’m getting to know them, but they’ve never made an appearance before. May have to change that.
Nicole L. Bates
April 25, 2012 at 9:27 am
All great points Jani. I have never had a preference for 1st or 3rd when I’m reading, if it’s a great story, I’m hooked either way. I do tend to write in the 3rd, but I’m challenging myself to write in the 1st on my current work in progress and I’m really enjoying it. I think that when in the 3rd I sometimes overdo it, I want to get every character’s perspective and end up with a lot of important characters. The first person really forces me to know my character inside and out, because he or she is the only one I get to experience. Loved all the comments as well.
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I feel the same way when it comes to reading, Nicole. I think that giving 1st a shot might actually help you improve on writing 3rd, help you focus more. It’s a good idea really. I’m definitely going to try it.
bwtaylor75
April 25, 2012 at 10:34 am
Posts like this, that speak intelligently and passionately, are why you’re books will published one day soon. As you say, it’s all a matter of preference. Hate is such a stong word, I prefer dislike. I simply dislike the first person.
Writing from the first person seems to be the trend in YA nowadays. In many of the contests on the Cupid’s Literary Connection website, for instance, a good 80% of those submissions were told from the first person. I find it strange that all of a sudden most new authors are writing from the first person. The bulk of those submissions were YA, and that, I think, has a lot to do with it. Authors want YA readers to immediately identify with their main character. Hook ‘em fast and deep.
You mention early on that you enjoy the first person, and the time spent with your main character. But what about all the other characters? You know, the villain, the side-kick, the best friend, the neighbor, the parent, or the any of the others? Aren’t they apart of the story? Aren’t they important enough to see through? Without them your main character is just an ordinary person waiting on a catalyst to set them on their journey. You’re playing favorites with your characters, and the others all want their moment in the spotlight too. I say let them all shine. You get to live through your main character, and I get to live through ALL of my characters. Like Vaughn said, writing as the antagonist can be fun and can add a whole different dimension to your world. That being said, every story is different. What works for some may not work for others.
If we only wrote what we knew, the world would be full of boring books. I’ve never run into a vampire or demon, and I bet no one else has either. What do you suppose Stephen King would have written about? I write adventures that I believe people would want to experience. I want to take you away and entertain you for several hours. The third person helps me do that to the best of my abilities. Some might take the plunge while others may roll their eyes. They are allowed to do that. It’s their choice.
Saying all first person books are rubbish is pure folly. I wouldn’t discriminate against any group of people simply because they are who they are, and I wouldn’t judge first person books in that way either. I own books written in the first person. I’m open to a good story. I’ve opened every single one of them and read several chapters. Then I put them down and read something else. It’s what I prefer, or don’t prefer in this case. And it all boils down to that preference.
Is writing in the first person easier? Is anything about writing easy? As long as your fingers are on the keyboard, I’m all for whatever those reasons are. So you write your stories, I’ll write mine, and we’ll meet in the middle. I only hope your main character doesn’t smell like cabbage!
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Thanks! lol You mentioned hate first on your blog, but I’ll settle for dislike. Doesn’t feel quite so harsh
And isn’t that one of the most important things? To hook a person as soon as possible, be it with a title, first line, first page, etc.
Of course my MC/I spend time with all of the other characters in the cast, I wouldn’t have a story otherwise. Though the parts they play are important, they aren’t important or big enough to validate an entire POV. That would mean adding pointless words, and scenes that aren’t necessary, just to justify their existence. Their parts are significant but I can work them in as things my MC experiences with or through them just as effectively.
I completely respect what you just said/wrote, and I love arguing talking with you about these things because our opinions differ slightly. I hope my post satisfied some part of your curiosity towards why some people/I write 1st person. I sincerely hope my character stays very far away from the cabbage.
bwtaylor75
April 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm
I just checked, and sadly, I did use the word hate. I apologize. *Goes and edits own post* Must have been the Braveheart scenes dancing around my head!
You’re a wonderful person, and I appreciate the discussion. I’m looking forward to your books, even if they’re told from the fist person.
Jani
April 25, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I’ll go edit my bit
Love arguing with intellegent people. Makes it so much more fun.
I’m definitely looking forward to your novels as well.
Heather Reid
April 25, 2012 at 10:56 am
Jani, you’re awesome! I love that you love 1st person and you know exactly why. What a great discussion! I won’t expand on my opinion since my next post is the companion to this one and reflects my love of 3rd person.
No worries, I’m no hater. 
Jani
April 29, 2012 at 12:56 pm
No, you’re awesome.
I love discussions with different points of view, I learn so much from them. I’m really looking forward to your post, can’t wait to read it.
Sarah Marie
April 25, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I actually moved between 3rd and 1st to get my current POV for my manuscript. i wanted to write it in third, but it’s all about the psychological struggles of the main character, and so I put it back into third with the tone of the third person counterpart to get the distance I wanted between reader and character.
I don’t think the POV matters, as long it is purposeful and progresses the story.
I would also say that, no, POV is never limiting. It’s the story being told through the POV that is limiting. It all depends on the story.
Jani
April 29, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I completely agree with what about POV being purposeful, it’s a good way to put it. At the end of the day it’s about how the story is told.
Courtney Koschel
April 25, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I love this post, Jani. Fabulous as usual.
I write in first person, but I read both. I think they both definitely have their strengths. I do love the intimacy, and immediacy, of first. I often feel less connected to the MC in third. Not always, but some. My reasons for reading and writing in first are parallel with Jani’s. There’s something awesome about getting carried away and becoming another person for a while. I can get just as caught up in a third person POV story, but it can sometimes take longer. But if it’s done well, then I won’t even pause to notice what POV it’s in…that’s my favorite.
katmagendie
April 25, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Three of my novels are first person and one is first/third- I love writing 1st person, though I am writing this next one in third just because that’s how it wants to be written – or maybe I want a break – or who knows? But, long as the writer convinces me, I don’t care if it’s first or third!
I don’t find first person limiting at all. Sometimes I have to think about things more, but it’s a good thing.
Rebecca
April 25, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Very interesting post, Jani! It’s funny. I have some stories in 1st and others in 3rd. In fact, I’ve got a couple stories where I wrote the first few chapters in 3rd and then rewrote them in 1st – just to see which one worked better for the characters and stories. I’m more of a fan of 3rd though, both in reading and in writing. With 3rd it’s much easier to find a character to relate too. I remember one popular series that was done in 1st and I couldn’t stand the main character. Four books later, I still didn’t like her, but there were other characters who I was interested in and would have liked the series a lot more if I’d been able to know more about them and their background. Nicely done
Victoria-writes
April 26, 2012 at 4:51 am
I agree, I write in first person and I really enjoy it. It helps you get into your characters head but I think it might be easier to write in 3rd person as you can show more of the story. I enjoy reading both bu there tends to be more 1st person especially in YA.
Jamie Raintree
April 29, 2012 at 11:13 pm
I personally like writing first person BECAUSE it’s “limiting.” I view the world in first person and I think a lot of what makes life interesting is not knowing what other people are thinking and doing all the time. So when that is translated to the page, it adds more mystery not only for the reader, but for the character. Instant tension creater.