Points Of View

by Laura Lovelock
3rd March 2013

When writing, do you find it easier to write in 1st person or 3rd person?

I have started my novel in 3rd person but am starting to think that it would work better as 1st person. Have any of you changed your POV after you've started writing? Which one do you prefer to use? And, is one easier than the other?

Replies

Correction: Sorry, I meant "omniscient narrator" above.

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Robert
Gill
270 points
Developing your craft
Robert Gill
03/03/2013

Personally, having written stories in both POVs, I infinitely prefer the 3rd person (ideally in "omnipresent narrator" mode too, for maximum flexibility). My problem with 1st person is that I find it hard to divorce "me" from "me-as-character". In other words, I find it very hard to imagine myself as the character telling the story in 1st person POV. I automatically think when I write something like, "I looked over the rim of the space station, took a deep breath and launched myself, untethered, into space as a claw scratched the back of my helmet," without thinking, "Aren't I brave?" or even, "Aren't I desperate?"

I also like the flexibility that 3rd person gives, particularly in being able to jump from one place to another and from one character's head to another.

Profile picture for user robswrit_24154
Robert
Gill
270 points
Developing your craft
Robert Gill
03/03/2013

I am most comfortable writing as an omniscient narrator. It came naturally to me. I started writing that way without thinking about what person to write in. I switch to first person during streams-of-thought.

My tip is don't think about what person to write in. Do what comes naturally to find your best voice.

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Adrian
Sroka
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Adrian Sroka
03/03/2013