Should I write my book in first person's POV or third person's POV?

I personally only write in 3rd person limited (3PL), and recommend it.

In 3PL the narrator can describe settings and feelings, thoughts and memories of the MC at considerable length, without seeming phony. To me, doing this in 1st Person seems unnatural; no real person goes on about such descriptions in their head, but we expect a narrator to do it.

Also, every book I love is written in 3rd Person (not necessarily limited, not necessarily focused on only one character). I don't think I've ever read a best selling 1st Person novel; if they exist I'd bet best-selling 3PL novels far outnumber best-selling 1st Person novels.

I recommend 3rd Person unequivocally; and my own work is always 3PL. To me it is what I expect; if I pick up a novel in a book store and the first word is "I", I put it down. I think that style inevitably grates on me because I didn't do any of this stuff, and I know I am supposed to be reading as if somebody is telling me a story, but that's not how it comes across. I prefer a clear distinction, I am reading about what Merlin did, or what Harry Potter did.

As for "how to do it", learn by example. Pick up a best-seller by Stephen King and see how he does it.

posted almost 6 years ago

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Amadeus‭

3156 reputation 2 1399 613 37

Yes and then again no, there is no one answer to this question, write using whatever perspective gets your point across. Usually it's a good idea to pick a perspective and stick with it throughout a given narrative but even that is not an absolute necessity. I've read a good deal of work that uses multiple first person POVs with the occasional piece of third-person-limited where the narrative steps back from the personal and gets bigger picture for a passage.

While you're drafting POV and tense are not essential concerns; get the ideas on the page worry about lining everything up when you go into the editing phase. Also note that it is often easier to translate first person passages into third person scenes than the other way around when you do come to editing.

posted almost 6 years ago

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Ash‭

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First of all, I've never come actually met anyone who has said that they prefer to read 1st or 3rd pov.

But to answer your question, if you're better/more comfortable with 1st then you should probably stick with 1st. However you might find that the story needs to be told in 3rd. For example, I started to write a story in 3rd person limited, but found that it was better told in 1st person, and have since committed to finishing my first draft in 1st person.

Additionally, because you've never written in 3rd, then you should try writing the first draft, or at least a variety of writing exercises in 3rd person to expand your skill as a writer and to get at least somewhat comfortable with actually writing in 3rd. Before you chose between any two (or more) methods, you need to be sure that you can use both methods with at least some degree of ease/familiarity and or be willing to commit to gaining the skills needed to use the chosen method.

posted almost 6 years ago

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Artsoccer‭

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