When it comes to writing a story, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is choosing the perspective from which to tell it. Do you want to write in the first person, where the narrator is a character within the story? Or in the third person, where the narrator is an outside observer? Here are some things to consider when making this decision:
First Person:
Writing in the first person can give your story a sense of immediacy and intimacy. As New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben says, "I believe the first-person voice is a great asset to a writer. It enables the reader to connect with the character on a deeper level, to feel the story from the inside out."
By putting the reader directly into the mind of your protagonist, you can create a strong emotional connection between the reader and the character. This can be especially effective if you want to create a character-driven story. Here are some tips for writing in the first person:
Make sure your narrator is interesting and likable - Since your reader will be spending the entire story inside your protagonist's head, you want to make sure they're someone your reader will want to spend time with.
Use their voice to create atmosphere - The way your protagonist speaks can help set the tone for the story. Are they sarcastic? Melancholy? Use their voice to create the right atmosphere for your story.
Be careful with backstory - Since your narrator is a character within the story, it can be tempting to use them to dump a lot of backstory or exposition on the reader. Be careful not to bog down your story with too much information.
Third Person:
Writing in the third person can give you more flexibility and distance from your characters. George R.R. Martin, the author of the Game of the Thrones series, says, "Third-person narration gives me the most control over the narrative. It allows me to step back and see the bigger picture, and to explore different characters and their motivations." This can be especially helpful if you have multiple point-of-view characters, or if you want to create a sense of mystery or suspense. Here are some tips for writing in the third person:
Decide on your narrator's voice - Just because your narrator is an outside observer doesn't mean they have to be completely neutral. You can use their voice to create a specific atmosphere or tone.
Pay attention to perspective - With third person, you can choose between limited and omniscient perspective. Limited perspective focuses on one character's thoughts and feelings, while omniscient perspective can see into the minds of multiple characters.
Be careful with head-hopping - If you're using multiple points of view, be careful not to switch between them too frequently. This can be jarring for the reader and make it difficult to follow the story.
Ultimately, the decision to write in the first or third person comes down to what works best for your story. Both perspectives have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's up to you to decide which one will serve your story best.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
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