[poll] First Person vs. Third Person / Writersmerge / Forums

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[poll] First Person vs. Third Person

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Fate

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12 years ago
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Fate

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12 years ago
Poll: Which perspective do you prefer to write in?
First Person

Third Person

Hi everyone!

Being one writer of many - fiction or history, poetic or quirky - I know there are many different ways to express that story that you just have to get out. Right now I'm doing a major assessment piece in school that centers on fiction prose; namely, which perspective of writing is better, first or third person.

I wondered if you lovely writers at Obernet could help me answer this question. I'd love to hear any opinions on the subject: which you prefer to write in, read, or just general comments on the matter.

First of all, before you respond, I'd like to formally ask permission to use any opinions in my report. Any identity or image will remain entirely anonymous.

This thread is mainly to encourage conversation about the matter - project aside, I'm sure many writers would be interested to hear more about this particular topic.

Cheers,
Fate :)
Loren

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12 years ago
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Loren

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12 years ago
I like third person because it's easier to use descriptive language and stuff when you're writing stories. That being said, I generally use first person for poetry, because it's more personal, and I'm the one doing the writing. I would feel weird writing a story that was not my personal story from first person.
Thalia

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12 years ago
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Thalia

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12 years ago
An interesting question. I would have to agree with Loren though. I often start a story in first person, but it always changes to third as I am writing. I cannot tell a story from the first person point of view. I think that first person can be limiting when used to write a novel, though it can also add to the story if used well. I like poetry that is written in first person when dealing with emotions as it feels more personal and you are better able to sympathize with the ideas it contains. Third person can work for poetry that is dealing with a story or a more country style.

My two bob anyway.... ::)
ariadne

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12 years ago
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ariadne

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12 years ago
I know I am very much a first person writer when it comes to poetry.
For stories, however, I seem to begin with a mood setting piece written in third person, start the story in first person, then get lost between the two as I progress. Overall, I'd say ultimately I'm a first person writer and I think that's because it suits my writing style, presenting everything from one characters point of view at a time :)
Sian

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12 years ago

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Sian

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12 years ago
I tend to switch back and forth, there are times when I can only seem to write in third person, and others when I can only seem to write in first. Often I think it has to do with how close I feel to the secondary characters when I start the story.
I think that overall it's easier to write and get you're ideas down in third person, but harder to hold a reader. I'm one of those people that can't stand to look at pieces they wrote several months ago, but if it's in first person it's easier to bear. The mistakes in rhythm and the "telling" instead of "showing" don't seem so glaringly obvious when the story's written in first person. Don't know why?
[strike]I read somewhere recently that readers don't have the patience for third person any more. I'll try to find where that was.[/strike]
Okay, scratch that. It was while I was researching narration tips for a friend, there aren't any references for it or anything to say it's not just the author's opinion, and they don't claim to be any authority.
deb

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12 years ago
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deb

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12 years ago
I write in both, depending on what I'm writing. If what I want to convey is personal to my character/s I choose first, if not I go with third. With reading, I enjoy both; as long as a story is well written I'm not fussed about it. I actually use second person perspective a lot as well.
Kaede

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12 years ago
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Kaede

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12 years ago
I prefer reading things from a third person perspective, but most of the time I seem to write in first. I don't think I have a problem incorporating description into a first person narrative. First person just helps to get closer to the main character, and I find it easier to insert their sarcastic asides when using first person :P That's not to say I don't use third person at times - lately first has just flowed more easily from my pen :)
Bibliophile

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Bibliophile

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12 years ago
I write in both 1st and 3rd person. Most of my stories are in 3rd, but many of my more recent fanfictions are all in 1st. This lets me write pieces that are mostly just bits of conversation and the character's thought reaction to them. MOst of my songs and poems are also in 1st person, generally because I am writing them from a certain character's POV. I generally read books in 3rd person, though.
Vestie

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11 years ago
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Vestie

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11 years ago
I write a bit of both, depending on what it is and my story line, but I prefer first person. I know you only get one sideof the story, but if you choose the character wisely you have a whole insight into their emotions and secret thoughts. I always get really attached to characters in books and if it is in first person, I find it so much easier to become the character.
Sionainn

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11 years ago
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Sionainn

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11 years ago
I write in third person because I like to pretend I am god!

Ahem, I write in both but primarily third. I need to distance myself from my characters because otherwise I would go crazy, but sometime a story will call for first person.
nnnnnn

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11 years ago
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nnnnnn

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11 years ago
"I prefer to write in the first person," said nnnnnn, "but it can be rather limiting because it means that the narrator has to be in every scene."

"But I think that works for some books," mused Juanita, "especially books that don't have very many characters. On the other hand the narrative in an epic fantasy or sci-fi story tends to spread out too much for a first person narrative to handle."

These guys are crazy, thought Ralph. "Third person is always best. First person is for authors who wish they were the main character, not for serious writers."

Where did that come from? nnnnnn wondered. "That's a bit harsh; some of my favourite books are written first person. But then I guess I do like a lot of third person narratives too."
Nef

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11 years ago
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Nef

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11 years ago
I usually write in first person, but I've trying to write in third person lately. It's been a struggle - I keep having to go back and re-edit what I write - this character just WANTS to be in first person. But I shant let him ...
ariadne

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Mystic Guilden
11 years ago
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ariadne

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11 years ago
I always considered myself a first person writer, but I've discovered that my current (major) project is very much written in limited third person. On occasion I use omniscient third person, but mostly I stick with limited third. Reading over the sections I like the most of my work, I think the third person writing gives me more freedom with developing character and allows me to describe the setting in more detail. The problem then is, my writing ends up being wordy and superfluous to the story :(

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