First Person vs Third Person

I don’t really have much to post about today; I think my mind has gone into hibernation mode or something recently.

Anyway, I was wondering: which POV do you prefer to write in? First person or third person? I like third person myself. For some reason that’s what comes easiest to me. That’s probably why I’m really struggling with writing my current WiP since I’ve switched over to first person for it. I’ve tried it in third and it does work in some ways…but I think it’ll be stronger in first. That is, if I can learn how to write in first person.

I’m sure over time I’ll get the hang of it. For now, it’s a painful process trying to find that voice that doesn’t sound forced.

How do you learn to write in different viewpoints? Is it just practice, talent or a little bit of both? 🙂

Changing Point of View

Initially I was going to write Lady of the Snow in first person. I thought that would be the best way to write the book since it’s about her.

But recently I decided to see what third person would be like, since that’s what I write in most often, and I found I liked it. A lot.

With third person, I’d add a few other viewpoint characters–two in the first segment and two in the second (not counting the obvious one of Miyuki). I think I may have an easier time hitting the word count goal I’ve set for myself that way as well as having a few minor subplots. The first person one didn’t really give me all that much room to work with in the subplot area.

Anyway it’s still not a decision I’ve made for certain, but I know I’m more comfortable with writing in third person. Not that I should always stick with what’s comfortable but perhaps this will be best for the story.

I don’t know 😛 Guess I’ll write a few chapters in third and perhaps in first and then see which one fits best!

So, which POV do you employ most when writing? First or third person? Which do you prefer reading?

New outline nearly complete

I’ve been working diligently on my “new” outline for my book–the first person POV as opposed to the original third person POV. I still have quite a few plot holes and places where I’m having a great deal of writer’s block, but I’m thinking as I write it, it’s going to change some from the preliminary outline.

Now it’s not set in stone or anything–I haven’t written in first person in ages–so there’s a chance it may not flow right or convey the story in the right way and I may go back to third person. If that happens, I’ll have to fix everything a third time, because the current third person one confuses me (not a good sign if it confuses the author…).

Why the change in POV? Mainly because the book would simply be way too long for the third person and the three different viewpoints and stories that I’d have to develop and converge. I’m not doing away with third person entirely–in the first person version, I have every two-three chapters another character’s viewpoint to help flesh the story out a bit; however it won’t get as detailed as the other version; only the necessities will be covered.

Also, I wanted this story to be more about my main character than anything else, and the other viewpoint characters were taking away much of the focus on her.

Again, I’m not sure if this is going to work–not only can I not remember the last fictional story I wrote in first person, I’m afraid that the occasional third person view may confuse some readers and interrupt the flow. I guess I have to actually write it and see…