Third Person and/or First Person Narrative...

by Mykie Hall
13th January 2015

I am in the process of re-drafting and currently working on my Prologue: editing editing and more editing :)

My story is written from a third person point of view. However I was wondering if it would be frowned upon (bad practice) to write my prologue from a first person prospective. The narrative coming from a sub-character who is an ever present throughout the story.

Or Is it one of the other?

Replies

I hope it works out - if they are significant landmarks, then another voice and pov can add tremendously.

James Michener (Pulitzer prize winner, sold millions of books) said this: 'I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter' so you're in good company!

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Jeff
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Jeff Richards
13/01/2015

Its funny you should say that actually, I was just yesterday thinking of adding some periodic narrative at significant landmarks in the story. I think it best to read a couple of examples first as you suggest, try understands the dynamics of it all. Might mean a few more months of editing but what the hell, I like the idea.

Thank you.

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Mykie
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Mykie Hall
13/01/2015

If it adds something to the narrative, then go for it. If it distracts (guess you'll have to ask Beta readers for an opinion on that) then think carefully about leaving it in. Is the sub-character an ever-present narrator, who contributes periodically? Done well it can add an awful lot to a story (see the Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss for a great example), but if it's not so good, you're leaving yourself open to agents saying 'that didn't work, I won't read any more.'

Good luck with the submissions!

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Jeff
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Jeff Richards
13/01/2015