Hey guys, starting on a new novella (is that the right term?) and I'm unsure of what person I should write in. I'm thinking First becuase alot of the story is the main character's emotion; fear, doubt, discovery, that kind of thing. But I've never written in first...so...any tips?
Well, a novella is shorter than a novel, which is at least 50,000 words, but longer than a short story. There's some official stats out there, I think.
As for first person, I can't think of any tips except experiment and go with whatever makes you feel comfortable. Writing in first does help you get to know a character more, especially if they have a distinctive "voice", but third person is good if you want a bit more distance between the character and the reader.
Sometimes a story just needs to be in first, and you can tell that. Other times it works both ways, so you just have to go with what you think is best.
So, that rambled and was not deperately helpful, lol, sorry.
"TV makes sense. It has logic, structure, rules, and likeable leading men. In life, we have this. We have you." -Abed Nadir
First will feel pretty weird for a while. I'd recommend that before you start, you spend a while exploring your character's personality and particular way of speaking. If you don't have a little idea about what sort of voice your character has, it'll be closer to swimming through jello than writing. xD Not that the voice has to be particuarly distinctive, but I've found that if you just plunge in without really knowing the character, it's a lot more difficult.
The history of the world My pet Is learn forgiveness And try to forget! -Sweeney Todd
I'm a damsel... I'm in distress... I can handle it. Have a nice day. -Hercules
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade Masquerade Hide your face so the world can never find you. -The Phantom of the Opera
Personally, I think first person is the most comfortable to write in (so comfortable, in fact, that sometimes I switch to it when I'm not paying attention, and have to go back and change all the 'I's I've written back to 'she's- lol. A real pain!)
But since it's your first time, I agree with Lucinda that you should defiantly get to know your character well before you start to write in first person. Remember that the readers can read your MC's (main character's) mind and know what he/she's thinking and feeling a lot of the time, so be prepared for loads of describing.
First person is a lot of fun to write in, and I hope this helps!
"Don't say 'the old lady screamed'- bring her on and let her scream." -Mark Twain
Writing is like traveling- you never know what's going to happen until you get there.
First person can be good in certain situations, but you really have to be careful that your main character doesn't become too much like you. I've found that it's easier to give characters unique personalities and traits in third person. It's certainly possible to do that in first person, but I've just found it to be harder to seperate myself and the character.
“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Anton Chekhov
I agree with everyone above. Being in fist person is kind of like taking on a fake identity; you must always try to stay in disguise, per se, and not say (or in this case, write) anything that will give you away. I almost never write in first person, because of that, but I love to read novels in first person, especially if its a male writer and a female narrator or vice versa; and if it's done well it impresses me immensely. If not, you look like you tried to write a shoddily disguised version of yourself into the story. I don't really agree with Karsten, only because if the writing is in first person, everything is seen through the writer's eyes. Sounds obvious, but think of it this way. He walked down the street. At the same time, a car rounded the corner of Fifth and Mason, barreling in his direction. If I walk down the street, I may not notice the car until I hear it a little while off, or, if I'm lost in my thoughts, until someone yanks me unto the curb as it zooms past. This is a small example but the perception of the character is what most people nitpick in first person, especially on this site. Especially taken into account are the biases that the narrator has towards life and people. While He may think that She is a monster when in fact the reader knows she is a decent person; If I think She's a monster that's the impression you, the reader, are going to receive. And I will have to work extra hard to convince you that the narrator is unreliable, or prove by Her actions that she is a better person than I think.
But that is just my opinion on first and third person.
Last edited by empressoftheuniverse on Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:31 am, edited 2 times in total.
Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. *Le Bible Royal Reviews Here!
The only real differences between first and third person are the pronouns. Depth/closeness of viewpoint is an entirely separate issue. You can have close third person and distant first, or vice versa.
That's my pet theory, anyway. I could complain for hours about the assumption that third-person writers are totally incapable of depth of viewpoint. >:(
I've heard people say that writing in first person is harder than third person. Personally, I think that third person is better for more light hearted books and first person is good if you want the readers to really feel with the character.
