Point of View (The Debate Rages On)
I hear you all talking (especially you, Khy) about your point-of-view preferences…first versus third person. As a reader, I’d never really given it that much thought, a book worked if it worked. Meaning, the point of view didn’t matter to me if the writer was capable of telling the story, no matter which perspective they’d chosen.
But as a writer, I’ve had to consider this, to think about it, to delve deep into my psyche. Okay, really? Maybe not so much with that last part, I mean it’s not that deep a question. But it does spark some (somewhat) heated discussions, and some varied opinions, even (I’ve discovered) within myself.
I’m not sure I have a strong enough opinion to jump on my soapbox and make a broad proclamation that “I” is better than “he” or “she.” Or vice versa. I think there are benefits to both. (And, yes, I realize there is that pesky second person narrative, but, honestly, I don’t really get-it, so for argument’s sake, I’m going to pretend it doesn’t exist. Just go with me on this one.)
It really comes down to personal choice, to what works best for you. Some writers prefer one point of view over the other, tending to write all (or at least most) of their work from that perspective. Personally, I like to dabble. Switch hit, you might say. The Body Finder is third person, my current project is first, and I really liked writing both of them. Equally, but in completely different ways.
One thing I’ve noticed about first person is that it’s easier to get inside of your character’s head and flesh out their personality. You’re freer to express their internal dialogue, which can add humor/drama/impact. Sometimes. It can also give you a bad case of TMI, so you have to be careful just how much “sharing” you do (you don’t want your character to come across as whiny or bitchy or just plain unlikeable). Also, I think it would be easy to get stuck in that internal world, leading to far too much telling and not enough showing.
And, in my opinion, a writer can just as easily bring their characters to life (in High-Def & Technicolor) in third person, all while adding a broader view than just that one character’s perspective. Sometimes. If not employed properly, it can also lead to flat, cardboard cutout-type characters, and in some cases allow for too many POVs which can muddy the waters.
So what’s the answer? There isn’t one. There is no clear winner. Don’t believe me? Then check out each of these lists and tell me which list we could do without.
(I triple-dog dare you!)
FIRST PERSON BOOKS:
To Kill a Mockingbird (I have to include this one because it’s one of my all-time faves)
The Hunger Games
Beautiful Creatures
Hush, Hush
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Twilight
Shiver
THIRD PERSON BOOKS:
Harry Potter
The Golden Compass
Wicked Lovely
The Graveyard Book
The Uglies
Wondrous Strange
(Oh, and what’s this…?) The Body Finder (Sorry, I had to do it.)
(And, okay, yes, I did not search far and wide for these books; I simply turned and looked at my bookshelves. Clearly, I write YA.)
But here’s what I want to know: As a reader or a writer, do you have a preference? Would you rather be inside (or outside) of the character’s heads? Spying on their innermost thoughts and feelings, or trying to decipher their emotions by gathering clues in their actions and studying their reactions?
And which list could you do without???
Comments
Growing up, I always preferred 3rd person because I like that it seems more like a storytelling. Now, I find I like them both almost equally (I still tend to go for a 3rd person novel than 1st, but it's not a determining factor :) I couldn't live without either list.
But yeah. The whole point is, depending on what story you want to tell, and how you want to tell it, you must choose the appropriate POV to use.
All that said, I write in first person almost exclusively. I probably should challenge myself a little to use 3rd now and then.
Third person poses the same problem, potentially. But I am a step removed and sometimes can come to like a book despite the narrator. It's much more difficult with first person.
The one thing that often bothers me is when a book switches from one to the other... I haven't often seen that done well.
I've typically written in 3rd person, but one of my new projects is 1st. We'll see how it goes.
And no we couldn't do without either list.
As far as writing it is A LOT easier for me to write in 1st person. I can figure out the emotion better. I'm trying to work on writing 3rd person though so that I'm not limited as a writer.
I think it all depends on the context of the book.
Bigger question: how do you feel about switching first POVs? I'm so tempted to try that...
Leigh - I tried to find examples of this online (because they weren't on my bookshelf), and the only book I saw that I'd read was Christine by Stephen King. But I didn't recall the viewpoint change. If anyone knows of any examples, I'd love to hear them!
I kind of adore the switching POVs (and have dabbled in that too). I do think it could be jarring if it's not handled carefully, as NotNessie pointed out earlier. But talk about the best of both worlds...you get inside someone's head AND get alternate viewpoints (from a more detached perspective).
I always wrote in third until this last one. I didn't really choose 1st - it chose me. And scared the bejeebers out of me. But it didn't work any other way, so I went with it.
I think first helps you create a really strong voice for the book a little more easily. As for reading it, I don't really care as long as it's done well.
I think for the most part the books that I read are from the first person persepective, but then when I write it's always third person.
I think I like the general perspective though one receives from a third person outlook. With first person you see things almost one dimentional and at times, and especially with certain situations I feel like I want that broader view. I love it when a book in first person switches POV from character to character - I just feel like a intense insider when this happens haha.
I feel though all in all I like them equally. Both bring different things to the table.
I'm attempting to write a book now and I'm having this debate internally. As a reader, you're right I couldn't live without either sets of books, and I don't prefer one POV over the other if the writing is good and gets me feeling and thinking. H/E I have noticed the merits and disadvantages of both. I feel like some of the most profound YA books I've read were in the first person (Matched, Delirium) and I think its b/c you really connect to the main character on a deeper level when you can see whats going on internally and really feel and live their reactions. At the same time you can't get that for any of the other characters in the story. How cool would it have been to know what was going on with Edward in Twilight, or Alex in Delirium.
That said, I'm personally finding it difficult to NOT write in the third person as its kind of been drilled into me through all my years of college and I feel like I have story to tell from the perspectives of the other main characters. Its a difficult choice indeed!