Follow TV Tropes

Following

Writing a good First-Person POV

Go To

theAdeptRogue iRidescence Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
iRidescence
#1: May 21st 2014 at 5:28:27 PM

I am planning to write a story written in first-person POV, but I think I need advice how to pull it off. In particular, how to immerse into the character's POV enough (so that it doesn't read like a third-person story with the protagonist's pronouns changed). Also, there's the obvious pitfalls on not derailing the character into some version of myself, and trying to keep the characterization consistent throughout the story.

Furienna from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Since: Nov, 2013
#2: May 21st 2014 at 6:19:49 PM

As I'm now writing my fourth novel from a 1rst person POV, I will try to help you. (I can't promise that my help will be good though tongue.)

Well, 1rst person is basically 3rd person with different pronouns. Many 3rd person POV stories are written in such a way, that they could really have been 1rst person POV and there wouldn't have been much difference, as we still only get to see one person's perspective. What you have to remember is that when we only get to see one person's perspective is that the reader can't know anything before the protagonist does. We have to learn everything at the same pace as the protagonist does.

Oh well, I gave it a try. tongue

theAdeptrogue iRidescence Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
iRidescence
#3: May 22nd 2014 at 4:37:45 AM

But if it's the same with third-person with changed pronouns, doesn't it defeat the purpose of writing in first person to begin with?

I think my high school literature teacher advised us against it when we were assigned to rewrite a third-person short story into a first-person POV.

Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#4: May 22nd 2014 at 5:27:25 AM

[up] Well, if you're going to attempt first person POV, you're going to have to give your MC a good voice. The tone he uses, his Verbal Tic, his Pop Culture references, his sense of humor. Remember, barring POV shifts to different characters, we will be in his head the entire time. Make sure he is neither grating nor dull, preferably ask someone you trust for their opinion. Note: I said good voice, not good personality - your MC could be the world's biggest ass, but if you make him fun to read he will still be liked.

That said, I think the main difference between First Person POV and Third Person POV is that in the former we are privy to how your MC's mind works. Well, it's possible to do in Third Person as well, but First Person provides a better flow to it overall.

First Person gives your MC freedom to let his mind stray, which you can use to provide exposition or some such to the audience. Third person POV needs to break narrative to accomplish this, so make use of this advantage.

Also, since the First Person style is more...personal, you can better convey how tired he is, how much effort he is putting into something, how much pain he is in, etc. If you can word it properly, you can make it easier for the audience to connect with your MC's struggle.

Lastly, just my personal preference, I'd suggest you to avoid First Person Omniscient (where the story is being narrated after its completion) unless your MC is the The Ishmael. It's generally harder to maintain suspense without purposefully withholding facts from the audience, and some people might end up feeling gypped.

edited 22nd May '14 8:14:33 AM by Elfhunter

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
theAdeptRogue iRidescence Since: Nov, 2011 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
iRidescence
#5: May 22nd 2014 at 8:57:48 PM

your MC could be the world's biggest ass, but if you make him fun to read he will still be liked.

You know, this is exactly the type of character I'm trying to write, but well... I'm kinda worried the narrative might make it look like I'm condoning or justifying his behaviour.

Furienna from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Since: Nov, 2013
#6: May 22nd 2014 at 10:04:47 PM

But you can only hope that your readers will understand that you don't. But yeah, I could never have a protagonist, whom I didn't like. Even they make mistakes, they have to be likable to me, or I simply can't write about them.

Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#7: May 23rd 2014 at 1:51:52 AM

[up][up] Well, that's the advantage of First Person POV - Your character is narrating the story. It's his thoughts on display, not yours. You can, however, show that you don't condone your character's actions by putting him in bad situations that are either a result of his own actions or would have been solved easier if he wasn't a douchenozzle.

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
Add Post

Total posts: 7
Top