First or Third person?

[ElijahFalling]

I haven't decided whether I want my novel to be in the first or third person. I've been writing in the third so far, but recently I've thought about changing it to the first, for various reasons, but the main reason being that the novel is meant to be highly introspective and based largely on what the main character is thinking about and how he feels (catcher in the rye comes to mind). There are other characters as well, but I'm only concerned with what they do, not what they are thinking. The book is supposed to preach, but I don't want it to sound preachy or seem that way. The reader is supposed to identify with the main character. In many ways I think first person would be better, but later in the story there are some plot-driven elements that could only be written well in the third person. Also, for some reason I've always thought books written in the third person are more marketable, but I could be wrong. It also would be a tedious task to have to go back and change everything. I would basically have to start all over. I can't decide.

Anyway... here are my overall questions.
- In general, under what circumstances do you write in the third person and under what circumstances do you write in the first?
- Given the description above, what do you recomend for the particular story in question?
- If written in the third person, how would I convey the thoughts and feelings of the main character convincingly, without over-narrating?
- Which do you enjoy reading more?
- Which is more marketable to a wide audience?

 

[Jehane]

Ouch! Terrible prediciment. Generally I prefer the 3rd person as far as story-telling goes but it has it's limits for introspection. You could try alternating but that can be clumsy &/or a pain. I am still experimenting with writing in the 2nd person, which for some strange reason fascinates me & is completely unmanagable - at least by me.

 

[ElijahFalling]

I have thought about using alternation in a limited sense - I would have the main character periodically write in a journal, and I would write out the journal entry in the first person. Also, I will have him pray periodically, which will be quoted in the first person. I suppose this could be sufficient.

 

[Jehane]

Both those ideas sound fine. Of course he might just be the sort who talks a lot to himself too...

 

[Makaro]

First person is hard if you have a complicated plot. You have to invent ways for your nararator to find out things. An alternative is to have multiple first person, so that you would have a few different nararators each telling a certain side of the story.

Third person limited seems to strike the best balance between introspection and fluidity of the plot. With this, the reader can get a sense of what it's like to be the character and form an attachment to him/her/it without you having to bend over backwards making two and two make four plotwise.

 

[Tariel]

Multiple first-person throws people. Even when it changes between books in a series people get thrown off.

Anyway....

1. It's just a gut feeling I get in my own work. A "this story is best told in first-person" kinda feeling. Currently, out of my main three stories, one is third person, one is first-person (the narrator is developed to show how the mind of a writer works...first person is essential), and the third....I'm not sure which it will eventually be told in. It's changed from first person to third to multiple first to first and third and now it's back to first but with a totally different narrator.

2. I would need to know more about your story before I could make a good assertion one way or another.

3. Easy. I have several angsty characters sharing a story, and it's in third person. What fun it is to write! It's not really any different from writing a first person story...you just say "he" or "she" instead of "I" and maybe make a few other necessary changes. If it's over-narration it will be over-narration no matter what form of narration you use.

4. It depends on the story and the writer. Some writers have first person writing that I LOVE...some can't write first person for anything but their third person is AMAZING.

5. I never thought of either first or third person as being "more marketable" than the other. But if you want to reach a large audience, I would recommend being VERY discreet with the whole prayer thing. And don't go to a Chrsitian publishing house.

 

[ElijahFalling]

But if you want to reach a large audience, I would recommend being VERY discreet with the whole prayer thing. And don't go to a Chrsitian publishing house.

Heh, I don't think that's gonna matter, seeing as it's a Christian story, in which the main character talks to angels, recieves visions from God, and is set during the End Times. Yeah, I'd pretty much have to trash the whole story if I wanted to be discreet about anything religious.

But, I know that lots of religious fiction has reached wide mainstream audiences. Look at how many people saw Passion of the Christ. Albeit it was a jew-bashing film, but still. Look how many people bought those Left Behind books. Over 60 million.

 

[Tariel]

Heh, I don't think that's gonna matter, seeing as it's a Christian story, in which the main character talks to angels, recieves visions from God, and is set during the End Times. Yeah, I'd pretty much have to trash the whole story if I wanted to be discreet about anything religious.

But, I know that lots of religious fiction has reached wide mainstream audiences. Look at how many people saw Passion of the Christ. Albeit it was a jew-bashing film, but still. Look how many people bought those Left Behind books. Over 60 million.

Notice how they were religious, but didn't hit the reader/viewer over the head with the Bible.

And don't use a Christian publisher if you want to reach a large audience.

 

[Tariel]

And just so you know...I would never read your book.

 

[ElijahFalling]

And just so you know...I would never read your book.

Why is that may I ask?

 

[Tariel]

As a rule I don't read anything set in End Times--nothing against you personally

 

[Blessed-one]

I always write in 3rd person, as I like to know what different characters are doing and thinking, and how their actions impact on each other. 1st person to me seems more appropraite if you're concentrating on one particular character, which depends on the need of your story.

I'm sure there're lots of people who enjoy reading 3rd person, as there're also people who like 1st person more. Personally, I'd rather read 3rd person narrative than 1st.