Comments on: First person versus third person … https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/ New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:40:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 By: Jennifer Estep https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18234 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:40:12 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18234 Tia — Me either.

I’ve tried a couple of times to write in third person, but it just never feels like it’s working for me. I think I’m always going to be writing in first person.

]]> By: Tia Nevitt https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18230 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 02:13:15 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18230 As a reader, I utterly don’t care. The only thing I stumble over is present tense, and even then if the story sucks me in, I’m good with it. Also, too many third person points-of-view will start to put me at a distance from the story.

As a writer, it depends on my characters. I’m working on my second fairy tale retelling, and I went with third person because I want more than one point-of-view. But my first fairy tale retelling is in first person. I never considered writing it any other way. I also have written a spy fantasy in first person, and and epic fantasy in two third-person point-of-views.

]]> By: Jennifer Estep https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18226 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:32:19 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18226 Natascha — That’s why some folks don’t like first person, especially in romance — they want to get the hero’s POV too. But if I like the main character enough, I’m good with first person. Multiple first persons POVs can be cool too. Soon I Will Be Invincible is a good example of that — the chapters alternate between the hero and villain.

]]> By: Natascha https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18225 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:02:09 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18225 Whether a book is written in first person or third person is not a deciding factor for me. I do have a preference for multiple first person characters in a story, because I want to know what each character is feeling, experiencing, learning, rationalizing, etc. But, I have enjoyed third person stories also.

It is true, its all about how good the story is.

]]> By: Jennifer Estep https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18223 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:38:38 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18223 That is a really good tip for beginning writers. Writing in first person does eliminate too many POV shifts and really lets a writer explore all of a character’s quirks — and sometimes, find their own “voice” as an author.

]]> By: Jody W https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18221 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:36:04 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18221 I like both. I have often advised beginning writers who have trouble with deep third POV to switch to first, really get into the characters’ heads, and switch back if need be. Writing in first, first, is also a way for newer writers to get on top of frequent POV shifts.

]]> By: Jennifer Estep https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18219 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:06:50 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18219 Debbie — Me too. I wish I had more time to read, so when I finally do get a chance to sit down and read, I want to be entertained and swept away to another world. It doesn’t matter to me how the author tells the story as long as it’s a good one.

Thanks! That’s so nice of you to say. 😉

]]> By: Debbie Haupt https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18218 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:53:20 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18218 Jennifer, I totally agree with you. Who cares and what’s the big deal. What I look for in a read is exactly what you described above. I read to be entertained so who cares if the entertainer I choose uses first or third person narrative to entertain me.
BTW I love the way you write and would love it no matter the voice you chose to do so.
Your Fan
Deb

]]> By: Jennifer Estep https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18217 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:50:54 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18217 I love first person too. I know I was a little disappointed when Lee Child switched the POV for his Jack Reacher series. The first book was first person but the others I’ve read have all been third person. I think that first person gives you a more intimate look at/feel for a character. But I like third person just fine too. It really is all about the story for me.

First person can be limiting that way — especially if you need to get other characters’ POVs in there to fill out your story. That’s when things like having your character eavesdrop comes in handy. LOL.

]]> By: Debbie Haupt https://www.jenniferestep.com/first-person-versus-third-person/#comment-18216 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:48:53 +0000 https://www.jenniferestep.com/?p=1940#comment-18216 Jennifer, how right you are and I totally agree with you. What is the big deal. I don’t teach literature at some IVY league U or even in some rural High School, so who cares. I read what I like, I read to be entertained so if the sentence starts with I or she I could care less.
BTW I love the way you write no matter what person it’s in
Your Fan
Deb

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