I'm obsessed with the way she writes. It's such a clear example of how voice can make narrative distance invisible. I can't wait to see what she does with fantasy.
The way you distill this all down -- gah, it's so good. I've been tagged in a few reviews for my third-person books at times that are like "I prefer first person because then I can get their thoughts" and I'm always so baffled because . . . you still get their thoughts! But anyway, I'm dying to know why your current project is first person for [redacted reasons] but I trust you've made the perfect call as usual!
I think it comes down to familiarity with a certain type of storytelling and being flexible with how you engage with fiction. I never read the same genre back to back, so I'm used to taking a book as it comes to me. One day, I'm reading a fast-paced single, 1st POV thriller. Next, I read a dense third-person high fantasy with multiple POVs. I think that why I've never had trouble with any perspectives. But years ago, I would have probably had the same complaints because I was only reading one type of thing.
I will talk your ear off about all my [redacted]s at any time. Just say the word!
I thought this was me saying it!!!! But yeah, I'll read anything and everything, and I think that flexibility helps as a reader and a writer, so I totally agree with you there.
I am extremely picky about first person when reading. I often feel confused about who the narrator is speaking to, and it makes it hard for me to suspend my disbelief and totally takes me out of the story. With third person, it's so much easier for me to slip into the story, as a reader.
As a writer, when I've attempted to write in first person, it felt like I was writing a diary entry. It's a lot harder for me to get into character in first, actually. To separate my voice from the character voice. So I also prefer to write in third :)
What you've described is why I've always had to write 1st POV as though they were talking to an actual person, not just narrating the action. It does help, but I'm still more comfortable in 3rd. I feel like it gives me more flexibility when I'm telling a story.
I love this so much, especially how you've shown the thought process that you go through re: POV, and the fact that it should be a choice re: what serves the story best. I think it's a myth that first person necessarily creates a more intimate reading experience. Both first and third can allow for intimacy in the hands of a skilled writer. In fact, third person can often allow greater intimacy (especially close third) because you are not limited to the perception of a single viewpoint. This is especially true in romance, where all the main characters should be experiencing growth and development, not just one. It feels like often less-skilled writers choose first person because they don't otherwise know how to create an intimate reading experience, as opposed to because it best serves the story. And then we get a first person story with no voice, which is just flat and tedious. There's nothing worse in fiction than being trapped in the mind of a cardboard cutout. I love books that are written in both first and third, and I think it has much more to do with the quality of the story and the writing than specific POV.
I agree with you about greater intimacy with multiple povs. I feel like I understand the relationship so much better, which makes me more invested. And the lack of a distinct character voice will tank first pov for me every time. There's no way to hide a lack of specificity in that pov the way you can sometimes get away with in a more omniscient story.
Yes, first person pov (which I've always written) creates more intimate reading experience, like Sarah Adams new book Beg, Borrow or Steal. But lately, third person deep POV has been the go to for the story I'm working on and it feels intimate in a way — like I'm the best friend of the main character narrating the story. Lol.
It's been an interesting exercise because I'm used to the flexibility of third. I zoom in and out like a camera lens regarding narrative distance. Being stuck in this character's head is challenging in a good way. But I'll always go back to third person.
I love this and I'm also tickled by the fact that we've both been thinking about Eve Brown this week!!! Talia Hibbert hive rise up!!!
I'm obsessed with the way she writes. It's such a clear example of how voice can make narrative distance invisible. I can't wait to see what she does with fantasy.
The way you distill this all down -- gah, it's so good. I've been tagged in a few reviews for my third-person books at times that are like "I prefer first person because then I can get their thoughts" and I'm always so baffled because . . . you still get their thoughts! But anyway, I'm dying to know why your current project is first person for [redacted reasons] but I trust you've made the perfect call as usual!
I think it comes down to familiarity with a certain type of storytelling and being flexible with how you engage with fiction. I never read the same genre back to back, so I'm used to taking a book as it comes to me. One day, I'm reading a fast-paced single, 1st POV thriller. Next, I read a dense third-person high fantasy with multiple POVs. I think that why I've never had trouble with any perspectives. But years ago, I would have probably had the same complaints because I was only reading one type of thing.
I will talk your ear off about all my [redacted]s at any time. Just say the word!
I thought this was me saying it!!!! But yeah, I'll read anything and everything, and I think that flexibility helps as a reader and a writer, so I totally agree with you there.
Okay, well, please be prepared to get sick of me. I'm obsessed with what I'm working on.
I am extremely picky about first person when reading. I often feel confused about who the narrator is speaking to, and it makes it hard for me to suspend my disbelief and totally takes me out of the story. With third person, it's so much easier for me to slip into the story, as a reader.
As a writer, when I've attempted to write in first person, it felt like I was writing a diary entry. It's a lot harder for me to get into character in first, actually. To separate my voice from the character voice. So I also prefer to write in third :)
What you've described is why I've always had to write 1st POV as though they were talking to an actual person, not just narrating the action. It does help, but I'm still more comfortable in 3rd. I feel like it gives me more flexibility when I'm telling a story.
Agreed. And that’s a really helpful reframe re: writing in first person!
I love this so much, especially how you've shown the thought process that you go through re: POV, and the fact that it should be a choice re: what serves the story best. I think it's a myth that first person necessarily creates a more intimate reading experience. Both first and third can allow for intimacy in the hands of a skilled writer. In fact, third person can often allow greater intimacy (especially close third) because you are not limited to the perception of a single viewpoint. This is especially true in romance, where all the main characters should be experiencing growth and development, not just one. It feels like often less-skilled writers choose first person because they don't otherwise know how to create an intimate reading experience, as opposed to because it best serves the story. And then we get a first person story with no voice, which is just flat and tedious. There's nothing worse in fiction than being trapped in the mind of a cardboard cutout. I love books that are written in both first and third, and I think it has much more to do with the quality of the story and the writing than specific POV.
I agree with you about greater intimacy with multiple povs. I feel like I understand the relationship so much better, which makes me more invested. And the lack of a distinct character voice will tank first pov for me every time. There's no way to hide a lack of specificity in that pov the way you can sometimes get away with in a more omniscient story.
Yes, first person pov (which I've always written) creates more intimate reading experience, like Sarah Adams new book Beg, Borrow or Steal. But lately, third person deep POV has been the go to for the story I'm working on and it feels intimate in a way — like I'm the best friend of the main character narrating the story. Lol.
Thanks for writing this piece. ♥️
It's been an interesting exercise because I'm used to the flexibility of third. I zoom in and out like a camera lens regarding narrative distance. Being stuck in this character's head is challenging in a good way. But I'll always go back to third person.
Thanks for reading and sharing!