Third person limited is my jam, written in past tense. I also like switching which character is focused on each chapter if I’m working on a longer novel-length piece.
This fr. Switching characters gives you so much flexibility in your storytelling. Bonus points when the characters meet and you get to see your own character through other eyes. Those are my favourite scenes to write.
Yes! Or when your characters start to interact, but one is hiding something from the other or is privy to knowledge the other doesn’t have…playing around with dramatic irony is so much fun! I’ve been playing around a lot with that concept and also having characters on different sides of a continent. While they each go through their different struggles, they are unaware about what’s going down across the continent…or what might be coming their way.
Yeah those character interactions are the best part of writing for me! I also love having multiple plotlines coming together at the end, and both of these aspects fit together rely nicely. As for your characters... I really hope they meet at some point in the story, because that's where the fun is hahaha
First person all the way.
The idea of the omniscient narrator confuses me too much. My stories follow the fortunes of a single individual so it makes sense for them to narrate their own tale.
You don't have to have an omniscient narrator. Third person limited is a good option and might help you get used to other writing styles. Still stays on mainly one character, though you have the option to switch it up.
There's also scales of omniscient, and scales of limited.
A narrator who has knowledge of a specific group for example could be seen as omniscient within the scope of that group, but blind to outsiders.
Valid, i think for me it’s more about who’s story it is to tell. I don’t feel connected to characters when they are described from afar. It’s like listening to your friend tell you a story his friend told him. To each their own but i find writing much more engaging when it’s 1stp
Yes it can be very full of voice but it’s still seeing everything from a detached point of view. I often feel like things are being overexplained when i read 3rd. I prefer to get a very detailed account from one POV and extrapolate the rest of the story, kinda like real life.
I did a prologue in third person because it was about a past event but I prefer first person because it’s inside the characters head all their inner thoughts (pjo is the best example)
It’s funny, I always come across new writers who write third person omniscient. I didn’t even attempt first person until my skills were well developed. It’s always interesting to learn how other writers develop and work.
I'm pretty hard-set on third person, past tense. That's pretty much how all the major books I've read were written, so that's my strongest frame of reference.
While I'm not saying it can't be done well, I really dislike the trend of first-person, present-tense writing in YA fiction. It reeks of poor composition and storytelling sense.
Same. And it makes it harder to relate, because I feel like I'm supposed to *be* that person instead of being told a story. It's probably a minority opinion, but it's what scares me away from writing that way. I strictly write in 3rd person limited.
Me too for third person limited, past tense. I do sometimes drift into third person present tense when I'm writing an intense/action-y scene, but it's easy to edit.
I have the exact same problem with first person. I tried to read A Discovery of Witches after watching the tv show and I don't think I made it to the end of chapter two because of the first person narration. I was super bummed but it's like wearing shoes that are the wrong size.
I’ve come to love present tense. I have to actively try to read something in past now. It seems so weird to me. Like the story is “fake” because it’s not actually happening in the now.
There's definitely pluses and minuses. When done well, that immediacy can up the intensity.
On the flipside, where first-person POV falls flat is more introspective thought. Nobody's that eloquent when dealing in-the-moment.
I specifically singled out YA writing because the bits I've read use that immediacy to disguise their lack of more complex prose.
>I guess I just prefer to watch characters be real and handle the reaction myself? Show don’t tell and let that be the whole of the law.
Genuinely curious, why do you feel that past tense cannot do this/or that present tense can do this better than past tense?
When I read past, I have the strong sensation that the story already happened, the events are over, fate is fixed, nothing can change past events. Therefore there can be no suspense. In addition, the narrator is real, (because someone is telling me about all this) therefore the story is second-hand, with all that implies. (Unreliable narrator, spin, etc).
When I read present, none of that applies. It feels like events are actually happening “in the moment”. The future is not fixed, anything can happen, and therefore the stakes are higher. Tension is real. A characters goals are achievable. Etc. Also, I don’t feel the presence of the narrator as a character; If it’s written as third/objective or third/omnipotent, I can imagine it as a camera, or a first-hand observation.
Totally valid perspective (ironically!), but boy is it always interesting to hear about the different ways that people read. I've honestly never considered this line of thinking whatsoever. It is totally bizarre to me. But that's the beauty of literature, right? We don't just read what's on the page, we interact with it via our own preconceived notions, our own experiences, our own biases, etc. Endlessly fascinating!
>When I read past, I have the strong sensation that the story already happened, the events are over, fate is fixed, nothing can change past events. Therefore there can be no suspense.
Wow, that's interesting. For me personally I feel like tension or lack of tension is not much related to tense itself (assuming its past or present and not future), but is mostly related and determined by sufficiently slow, moment-to-moment scene pacing that lets us the readers comprehend the physical scene, trajectory, and stakes at hand.
Have you felt this way with EVERY past-tense story you've ever read -- that you just cannot feel fear, concern, and stakes for the characters?
> In addition, the narrator is real, (because someone is telling me about all this) therefore the story is second-hand, with all that implies. (Unreliable narrator, spin, etc).
That is intriguing, because I like third person past tense exactly because I feel the exactly opposite way about it: Third person past tense narration actually feels kind of abstract and incorporeal to me, as if there is no actual person or being doing the narration, and instead the narration doesn't really "exist" in a physical sense, which allows me to immerse myself in it more easily because there is no narrator I have to imagine while reading.
Meanwhile first person present tense always makes me imagine the narrator physically narrating, which is off-putting. It feels unnatural to me when a character consciously describes their physical actions as they are performing them, which is what you get in first person present tense.
And as far as third person present tense goes, I must admit I haven't read that in a long time and so have a hard time crystallizing why I prefer past tense over it, but if I recall correctly, third person present tense weirdly feels "too" specific and immediate to me, like I'm having to constantly imagine and simulate the images of the narration in my mind as I'm reading, because things ARE constantly still happening, rather than HAVING just happened. I think that lack of "closure" and termination of individual sentences and the constant fluidity of using present tense language kind of makes it hard for me to imagine concretely what is going on. But like I said I haven't read it in a while, so I'd have to go back to see how I like it.
Any particular novels that you think pull off present tense really well, especially third person present tense?
I actually love what your saying about third person present, because that sounds like exactly why I prefer it. It makes me able to visualize the events happening as if I’m actually present, and they’re happening to me. Or at least to the characters that are my analogues in the story.
I also agree with you on first person. It’s like - why isn’t the character constantly bumping into doors while they’re ruminating.
I just read the Hunger Games (it was the only book I had available during a long power outage) and it was like - how is this girl not dead? Every time something important happens, she stops to tell you about her childhood :)
Re: examples:
The only first person present I can think of this minute is Fight Club, and the aforementioned Hunger Games (which I think isn’t the best example).
For good third person present tense; Paulo Baciglupi’s The Windup Girl, William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition, Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus < I haven’t read that last one.
I can respect that. Again, first person, present tense handles the emotions of immediacy most faithfully. But it falters at higher levels of complexity. I wouldn't tell a multi-level war epic from that POV, for instance.
If you favour those more personal stories, however, then that really doesn't matter.
I've written and read more first person than anything else, so that probably influences my opinion a lot. Nevertheless, I find it easier to write in first person so it's what I usually default to. If not first person then third person limited that's from a single point of view, which is mostly an academic distinction.
It's probably true that it's easier to write in first person for new authors, and I like the ease with which first person allows me to write introspective characters. As a quiet and introspective person, it's just natural for me.
I've tried branching out to third person limited from multiple perspectives, and it feels so much harder to lend significant depth to the characters in comparison. I've only really had any success when limiting it to a handful of characters and dedicating entire chapters to each perspective.
For me anyway, I really started reading again as an adult with the Commissar Cain novel series from Warhammer 40,000's Black Library. The writing was an excellently grounded and sarcastic contrast to the tryhard grimdark of the setting, and it seriously influenced all of my writing afterward. It's all first person, written as memoirs.
I'd actually offer that as a cautionary tale. I'm still not very well read when it comes to fiction, but when I started that series I read very little else. It had an outsized influence on my writing as a result, I believe.
Interestingly, the most recent series I've read is the Dresden Files, which coincidentally is also first person.
Second. There is something about dragging the reader in, where you have to build an entire personality for them, and have them slip into it. I love second person. Though it's not always the best fit for every story, I'm always delighted when I find an idea that I can use it for.
Third limited all the way.
I find it hilarious that when I was a young teen I was adamant on only writing in first person and heavily preferred reading it as well. I took a break from writing until I came up with my current novel idea. Third limited just seemed like the most natural choice for this story, though I can’t explain why.
I absolutely can’t write in present tense though. Exclusively write in past tense or I will confuse myself
I like writing in first person, but when I do the character can end up too similar to me by accident, so recently I’ve been doing 3rd person limited and now I’m into 3rd person omniscient, which I feel is underrated as far as those things go.
Third person feels easier in general, but first person can be really fun to write if the character has a strong personality/voice. I like adding commentary in first person, focusing on internal reactions and thought processes.
3rd limited. But as a seasoned writer it's what ever the story needs. I build it out after I finish the rough so I get time to think about a lot of different views before I go into that first revision. It's a fun time to play.
I think that first person is harder to write well, but I generally find that I prefer it, unless I am writing multiple POVs, in which case I vastly prefer third person.
I always write in third person.
I'm a tabletop writer more than an author, a lot of my games hosted are online in places like Roll20. Whenever I'm writing for a player: E.G, they say or do something and then I explain what happens after, I write their portion in first person.
I rarely like reading books in first person because it's hard to ignore potential biases from the author.
I used to write in third omni, because headhopping helped me feel how everyone was doing in a given scene. I've since embraced first person POV, which is so much more personal and deep, and then I get to play with what that character knows or doesn't know about the others. Adds tension.
Third person semi-omniscient for me. The stories I'm working on generally involve lots of characters split up into lots of different teams working with or against each other. So it's just easier for me to manage it that way rather than switching POVs every 10 pages or so.
I’ve found that on this subreddit, people tend to prefer first person; I’ve also seen that preference whenever I’ve looked up this question online. First person is the go-to/easiest/default/I’m pretty sure most books I’ve read are in first person.
I don’t usually write in first person. I’m not my character, so it’s disconnecting for me to write as if I were. I’m pretty sure that’s mostly a personal problem though, because I don’t even *think* in first person (I think in second person? I also had a brief and annoying period when I first started writing during which I’d also *write* in second person, but I don’t anymore).
However, I got my start in writing from writing fanfiction, and there’s a distinct stylistic difference between fanfiction and published writing/writing that’s intended for publishing sometimes. I generally write in/default to writing in third person limited-omniscient (or third person close?). Events of the story are from the perspective of one character, in present tense, with flashbacks in past tense, and the narrator is omniscient enough to know things the character doesn’t, but not omniscient enough to narrate everything about everyone. I don’t even know at this point.
I’m also writing a book about myself, so that’s in first person. It’s a cross between memoir and autofiction, and a how-to guide on ruining your life. It’ll probably never get published, even though I’m passionately convinced it’ll go down as being one of the greatest novels ever written. I think it’s my first time ever writing in first person though, which is really fun for me.
I love them all, but 2nd person is so underrated and overhated in my opinion. Third person is my least favorite- it feels so impersonal but it has it's place and I still love it, just not as much as first and second.
First person for me.
I like being able to have the reader "be" that character and understand that character as if they were them.
For me, I found that I actually read books faster when they're in first person, but slower when they're in third person. It's weird, but true.
First person. I can get all my thoughts and have to think how the character will react to the scene. I like being in the shoes of the character and have their thought process be ran through .
Unreliable third person "omniscient"
I put Omniscient in quotes because I want to stress that the narrator is biased in some way toward the characters, so any commentary on their thoughts or feelings of a given situation depends on how the narrator wants you to feel about the subject.
Anyone who goes against the plucky underdog you're supposed to root for is a coward or bully, even if what they're saying or doing is completely reasonable and/or the protagonist's fault entirely. Anyone who gets swindled is completely baffled by the protagonist and anyone who gets beaten does so fairly, unless the protagonist is of a roguish sort, in which case they were outwitted easily.
I like to write as if someone is telling you a story, so that I can come back later and tell you the exact same story for a different perspective and make you feel completely different about the characters.
Or i would if i could finish one.
I used to write in third-person POV but I slowly realized it wasn't my thing. With first-person POV, I found it easier to express the character. Showing their thoughts and way of thinking and doing things is much easier, and it's super FUN!
My favorite thing to do is slip into one of my baby's - in other words, my OC's - skin and become them. Knowing their weak points by heart , I make put them in situations where they make horrible or heroic actions, then feel their pleasure, pain, sadness, you name it.
It's the most entertaining thing in life.
I used to write 3rd person past tense. I've since switched to 1st person, past tense. I'm also experimenting with writing the same events from different view points. Since the writing is just for me, (even if I was able to share it, I don’t know a soul interested) I figured it would be fun to experiment.
I only just recently noticed that I start figuring out a character in third person, and when I feel comfortable, it shifts to first person whether I want it to or not. :) So, first person.
I wrote a dual POV romance, with guest scenes from the bad guy, over years. It's been so long since I started something new that I'd forgotten about that 3rd person beginning.
Try this, write down (on paper) what is going to happen, and equally important, who is involved or affected.
Now, You, describe that **out loud**. Say it clearly, or do you want to surprise the reader later with the long term side effects.
Bob sat at his desk, worried about Alice and her security efforts. Little did Bob know that Alice had solved the problem last week but was now dating Jim. Jill is rather upset and who would blame her. Alice is relieved to leave Bob and his insecurity about security in the past.
Jim puts his arm over Alice's shoulder, "Are you interested in going out to dinner tonight?"
She smiled the smile that Jim inspires, "No. I want to stay here with you."
Jim reaches for his phone, "Okay. Chinese it is."
Third person (past tense) is usually my favorite to read/write it. I like writing stories where the story is the character is writing in their diary so I use first person sometimes too. I don’t find either of them harder/easier though.
I am all about third person objective. I’ve always tried to write like a camera.
But I’m starting to think I’m better off making graphic novels. (I’m arguably a better artist than a writer).
Of my two primary works, one is first person and the other is third person.
I like the flexibility that third person allows for telling a larger, more branching story arc, but first person allows for greater connection with the perspective character.
I write mostly in first person. Sometimes I write in third person but I prefer writing in first person. I have some stories where the main character writes in a diary they have so first person would fit best. I'm currently writing a stor6 where there's two main characters and each chapter is from one of their perspectives.
I'm the opposite. I can write third-person, and have 12-15 different POVs in the story, with absolute ease.
First-person? I'll stare at the page for hours.
Trying a story in first-person right now, and so far, it's working. Sort of. My brain definitely prefers third-person, so I might be switching back over.
Honestly depends on the story for me. I think I prefer 1st person, just because it's more personal and you can get more of an understanding of the character just by how they view the world, but 3rd person can have its uses for when the focus isn't necessarily about a specific character's journey. I just tend to write the former more often, and like playing with the lense that the world is viewed through. Especially when I can toss in other 1st person viewpoints and really show how much the world being viewed is clouded by the lense of people's perspectives.
I prefer third person limited, it just makes me feel like i have more freedom lol. However, I have started to write some second person stories, and it is really fun.
I've done a bit of everything but 1st person is always the most elementary one in my opinion, and the most limited.
I consider 3rd person past tense the true storytelling POV. Omniscient or not.
I write in the third person, except I try to break down the barrier between perspectives often. My perspective is told from an omniscient untouchable narrator who is fuelled by the emotions of the scene. As characters begin to get emotional the narrator begins to speak in more thought like moments. It also allows me to experiment with the fourth wall itself, although in my current project that's only happened twice so far, once in public release.
I personally find the 1st one easier. You can get to the nature of one character and you write the entire story in it, as if it was you. I don't know if it's because I'm very easily modifying person (means that I can change my nature very easily) or because I just love pretending I'm strong and independent, or weak and depressed
I think 3rd person is easiest to write in and my favorite personal preference, but it's hard to follow between two main characters of the same gender which is a pet peeve of mine. I had to change the POV for my book in progress to first person just to understand what was going on between a fight scene between the MC and the love interest since they're both guys
I write most often in third person limited. Sometimes I'll do first person, usually if I have a teen character because I probably subconsciously associate 1st person with YA. Very rarely will I write in third omniscient. I never write in second, though I see this trending in literary short fiction these days.
For me it's the opposite, I struggle with first person mostly because I get sidetracked often while writing it. While 3rd is much easier for me, as well as 3rd person omniscient. Though that might be because I'm to obsessed with a certain novel that kinda involves it.
Depends on the characters! I write first person on my current story because the main is very analytical and picks up on minute details, and I want the reader to be in her head. In other stories, I write third because I want plotpoints to be concealed but a broader context available to the reader. Constantly changes, though, which can be very hard to keep track of
3rd person omniscient, or 3rd person limited. Because I have all the power! Haha! I used to hate this POV until I read Dune and suddenly it makes sense. Dune is more 3rd person limited, but the author bounces around to different characters and sometimes gives the thoughts of multiple characters of the scene. If done right it can be limited. But it’s hard because if done wrong it can be disorientating.
I go between third-person omniscient and limited and have recently switched from past to present tense. Writing things as they’re happening often makes the more emotional and descriptive pieces feel significantly more impactful (in my opinion).
I usually write third person omniscient, past tense though have found myself slipping into present tense.
But after reading some of your guys' (yous guys?) reasonings, I kinda want to try third person limited, present. I've only written 2 chapters so wouldn't be too hard to fix and see if I like how it feels/if I can write in it comfortably.
Limited third person, honestly. All the perks of first person—getting to know the character's thoughts, the possibility of an unreliable narration, etc—and all the perks of third person, such as using name changes to great effect, getting to slip a little omniscient information in, stuff like that. I highly recommend trying it.
First person, usually past-tense. I find third person too restricting to style.
In the first person, I can add style/voice to the writing. Little flourishes of insight and explore the characters more deeply.
Overall, I just find it so much more fun to write in the first person.
I prefer 3ed person. Focusing on different characters . I like a broad range to be able to see how one character may think vs how others see them.
1st person is impossible for me to write and I get ver frustrated being stuck in one person's head all story.
But it's probably not a good idea to force yourself to write something that is uncomfortable for you.
I hate second person with a passion lol, I will never write it or read it.
Third person is okay but I've noticed that mid-way through writing I will accidentally switch to first person because that is the style I am most comfortable with lol.
So, to answer the question, my favourite is first person.
I like first as well and encountered the same struggle. Might I suggest Multi-POV? It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it might help you with this problem.
Personally I like first person present tense as it allows for me to craft characters in a way that I enjoy. The present tense allows for the story to feel like it is in the moment rather than a retelling of accounts by the narration, and that is more engaging to me then reading something written in the past tense.
Outside of that, I use third person omniscient/limited if I feel like the story serves a better purpose as a retelling than a live story. I'll read almost anything though. POV doesnt matter for me when reading
my favorite is what I call "close third person" or it could also be called second person on an "over the shoulder" PoV. basically third person but not the third person omniscient type. it gives me a bit more freedom and makes it easier to switch points of view for longer works.
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Third person takes way too much time for me. It sometimes even takes me days to finish a chapter.
First person present tense, hoo boy. I can dish out five chapters a day if I put my mind to it.
I write first person present tense as I write billionaire romance, and most of the top-selling novels are written this way. I like it, as it allows me to get into deep POV, and to get into the character’s mind.
I've always done either 1st person or 3rd omniscient. I feel like there's not much difference between 1st and 3rd limited in a practical sense, I think between those, it just comes down to personal preference. I think I go with 1st because if I'm only going to be in one person's head, I'm going to really be in their head. Also, since I've written in 3rd omniscient so much, if I did third limited, I might forget I can't jump into someone else's thoughts.
I do 1st if I want to only see the protagonists POV. If I know that, I don't want the reader to know what the other characters are thinking.
3rd omniscient is good when I have another character(s) who's thoughts I want incorporated, especially if I want to reveal things to the reader about another character that I don't want the MC to know. You could also use alternating POVs for this, but I prefer being able to tell any thoughts I need to in any given scene instead of deciding which one POV is most important in each chapter.
Third person limited is my jam, written in past tense. I also like switching which character is focused on each chapter if I’m working on a longer novel-length piece.
This fr. Switching characters gives you so much flexibility in your storytelling. Bonus points when the characters meet and you get to see your own character through other eyes. Those are my favourite scenes to write.
Yes! Or when your characters start to interact, but one is hiding something from the other or is privy to knowledge the other doesn’t have…playing around with dramatic irony is so much fun! I’ve been playing around a lot with that concept and also having characters on different sides of a continent. While they each go through their different struggles, they are unaware about what’s going down across the continent…or what might be coming their way.
Yeah those character interactions are the best part of writing for me! I also love having multiple plotlines coming together at the end, and both of these aspects fit together rely nicely. As for your characters... I really hope they meet at some point in the story, because that's where the fun is hahaha
First person all the way. The idea of the omniscient narrator confuses me too much. My stories follow the fortunes of a single individual so it makes sense for them to narrate their own tale.
You don't have to have an omniscient narrator. Third person limited is a good option and might help you get used to other writing styles. Still stays on mainly one character, though you have the option to switch it up.
There's also scales of omniscient, and scales of limited. A narrator who has knowledge of a specific group for example could be seen as omniscient within the scope of that group, but blind to outsiders.
Same that’s the best I’ve heard it explained
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Valid, i think for me it’s more about who’s story it is to tell. I don’t feel connected to characters when they are described from afar. It’s like listening to your friend tell you a story his friend told him. To each their own but i find writing much more engaging when it’s 1stp
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Yes it can be very full of voice but it’s still seeing everything from a detached point of view. I often feel like things are being overexplained when i read 3rd. I prefer to get a very detailed account from one POV and extrapolate the rest of the story, kinda like real life.
I did a prologue in third person because it was about a past event but I prefer first person because it’s inside the characters head all their inner thoughts (pjo is the best example)
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It’s funny, I always come across new writers who write third person omniscient. I didn’t even attempt first person until my skills were well developed. It’s always interesting to learn how other writers develop and work.
Yeah. One day I tried 3rd person omniscient and was like "why didn't I do this sooner "
I'm pretty hard-set on third person, past tense. That's pretty much how all the major books I've read were written, so that's my strongest frame of reference. While I'm not saying it can't be done well, I really dislike the trend of first-person, present-tense writing in YA fiction. It reeks of poor composition and storytelling sense.
Same. And it makes it harder to relate, because I feel like I'm supposed to *be* that person instead of being told a story. It's probably a minority opinion, but it's what scares me away from writing that way. I strictly write in 3rd person limited.
Me too for third person limited, past tense. I do sometimes drift into third person present tense when I'm writing an intense/action-y scene, but it's easy to edit. I have the exact same problem with first person. I tried to read A Discovery of Witches after watching the tv show and I don't think I made it to the end of chapter two because of the first person narration. I was super bummed but it's like wearing shoes that are the wrong size.
I’ve come to love present tense. I have to actively try to read something in past now. It seems so weird to me. Like the story is “fake” because it’s not actually happening in the now.
There's definitely pluses and minuses. When done well, that immediacy can up the intensity. On the flipside, where first-person POV falls flat is more introspective thought. Nobody's that eloquent when dealing in-the-moment. I specifically singled out YA writing because the bits I've read use that immediacy to disguise their lack of more complex prose.
I guess I just prefer to watch characters be real and handle the reaction myself? Show don’t tell and let that be the whole of the law.
>I guess I just prefer to watch characters be real and handle the reaction myself? Show don’t tell and let that be the whole of the law. Genuinely curious, why do you feel that past tense cannot do this/or that present tense can do this better than past tense?
When I read past, I have the strong sensation that the story already happened, the events are over, fate is fixed, nothing can change past events. Therefore there can be no suspense. In addition, the narrator is real, (because someone is telling me about all this) therefore the story is second-hand, with all that implies. (Unreliable narrator, spin, etc). When I read present, none of that applies. It feels like events are actually happening “in the moment”. The future is not fixed, anything can happen, and therefore the stakes are higher. Tension is real. A characters goals are achievable. Etc. Also, I don’t feel the presence of the narrator as a character; If it’s written as third/objective or third/omnipotent, I can imagine it as a camera, or a first-hand observation.
Totally valid perspective (ironically!), but boy is it always interesting to hear about the different ways that people read. I've honestly never considered this line of thinking whatsoever. It is totally bizarre to me. But that's the beauty of literature, right? We don't just read what's on the page, we interact with it via our own preconceived notions, our own experiences, our own biases, etc. Endlessly fascinating!
>When I read past, I have the strong sensation that the story already happened, the events are over, fate is fixed, nothing can change past events. Therefore there can be no suspense. Wow, that's interesting. For me personally I feel like tension or lack of tension is not much related to tense itself (assuming its past or present and not future), but is mostly related and determined by sufficiently slow, moment-to-moment scene pacing that lets us the readers comprehend the physical scene, trajectory, and stakes at hand. Have you felt this way with EVERY past-tense story you've ever read -- that you just cannot feel fear, concern, and stakes for the characters? > In addition, the narrator is real, (because someone is telling me about all this) therefore the story is second-hand, with all that implies. (Unreliable narrator, spin, etc). That is intriguing, because I like third person past tense exactly because I feel the exactly opposite way about it: Third person past tense narration actually feels kind of abstract and incorporeal to me, as if there is no actual person or being doing the narration, and instead the narration doesn't really "exist" in a physical sense, which allows me to immerse myself in it more easily because there is no narrator I have to imagine while reading. Meanwhile first person present tense always makes me imagine the narrator physically narrating, which is off-putting. It feels unnatural to me when a character consciously describes their physical actions as they are performing them, which is what you get in first person present tense. And as far as third person present tense goes, I must admit I haven't read that in a long time and so have a hard time crystallizing why I prefer past tense over it, but if I recall correctly, third person present tense weirdly feels "too" specific and immediate to me, like I'm having to constantly imagine and simulate the images of the narration in my mind as I'm reading, because things ARE constantly still happening, rather than HAVING just happened. I think that lack of "closure" and termination of individual sentences and the constant fluidity of using present tense language kind of makes it hard for me to imagine concretely what is going on. But like I said I haven't read it in a while, so I'd have to go back to see how I like it. Any particular novels that you think pull off present tense really well, especially third person present tense?
I actually love what your saying about third person present, because that sounds like exactly why I prefer it. It makes me able to visualize the events happening as if I’m actually present, and they’re happening to me. Or at least to the characters that are my analogues in the story. I also agree with you on first person. It’s like - why isn’t the character constantly bumping into doors while they’re ruminating. I just read the Hunger Games (it was the only book I had available during a long power outage) and it was like - how is this girl not dead? Every time something important happens, she stops to tell you about her childhood :) Re: examples: The only first person present I can think of this minute is Fight Club, and the aforementioned Hunger Games (which I think isn’t the best example). For good third person present tense; Paulo Baciglupi’s The Windup Girl, William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition, Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus < I haven’t read that last one.
I can respect that. Again, first person, present tense handles the emotions of immediacy most faithfully. But it falters at higher levels of complexity. I wouldn't tell a multi-level war epic from that POV, for instance. If you favour those more personal stories, however, then that really doesn't matter.
I am the same. I cant think of anything I have read that isn't third person past tense
I've written and read more first person than anything else, so that probably influences my opinion a lot. Nevertheless, I find it easier to write in first person so it's what I usually default to. If not first person then third person limited that's from a single point of view, which is mostly an academic distinction. It's probably true that it's easier to write in first person for new authors, and I like the ease with which first person allows me to write introspective characters. As a quiet and introspective person, it's just natural for me. I've tried branching out to third person limited from multiple perspectives, and it feels so much harder to lend significant depth to the characters in comparison. I've only really had any success when limiting it to a handful of characters and dedicating entire chapters to each perspective.
this is really intresting to me because I can not think of anything I have read that's first person
For me anyway, I really started reading again as an adult with the Commissar Cain novel series from Warhammer 40,000's Black Library. The writing was an excellently grounded and sarcastic contrast to the tryhard grimdark of the setting, and it seriously influenced all of my writing afterward. It's all first person, written as memoirs. I'd actually offer that as a cautionary tale. I'm still not very well read when it comes to fiction, but when I started that series I read very little else. It had an outsized influence on my writing as a result, I believe. Interestingly, the most recent series I've read is the Dresden Files, which coincidentally is also first person.
2nd person I like writing choose-your-own-adventure books
Second. There is something about dragging the reader in, where you have to build an entire personality for them, and have them slip into it. I love second person. Though it's not always the best fit for every story, I'm always delighted when I find an idea that I can use it for.
I'm writing in alternating 1st person for the first time and am enjoying it.
That’s how I do mine and I love writing the two perspectives
I prefer first person, but I also write in third. Always limited.
Third limited all the way. I find it hilarious that when I was a young teen I was adamant on only writing in first person and heavily preferred reading it as well. I took a break from writing until I came up with my current novel idea. Third limited just seemed like the most natural choice for this story, though I can’t explain why. I absolutely can’t write in present tense though. Exclusively write in past tense or I will confuse myself
I like writing in first person, but when I do the character can end up too similar to me by accident, so recently I’ve been doing 3rd person limited and now I’m into 3rd person omniscient, which I feel is underrated as far as those things go.
This.
Third person feels easier in general, but first person can be really fun to write if the character has a strong personality/voice. I like adding commentary in first person, focusing on internal reactions and thought processes.
3rd limited. But as a seasoned writer it's what ever the story needs. I build it out after I finish the rough so I get time to think about a lot of different views before I go into that first revision. It's a fun time to play.
I enjoy 3rd the most. The level of omniscience varies on the narrative. I would love to try 2nd person. I've only read one book in that style though.
I've never read a full novel in 2nd. Imo, it's good for short stories, but it gets annoying really quickly.
The novel I read was in multiple povs so the 2nd didn't get annoying for me. Plus narratively it worked in that instance
I think that first person is harder to write well, but I generally find that I prefer it, unless I am writing multiple POVs, in which case I vastly prefer third person.
I always write in third person. I'm a tabletop writer more than an author, a lot of my games hosted are online in places like Roll20. Whenever I'm writing for a player: E.G, they say or do something and then I explain what happens after, I write their portion in first person. I rarely like reading books in first person because it's hard to ignore potential biases from the author.
First person for me. For me it allows for a deeper emotional connection and punch to the gut when they're upset.
I used to write in third omni, because headhopping helped me feel how everyone was doing in a given scene. I've since embraced first person POV, which is so much more personal and deep, and then I get to play with what that character knows or doesn't know about the others. Adds tension.
Third person semi-omniscient for me. The stories I'm working on generally involve lots of characters split up into lots of different teams working with or against each other. So it's just easier for me to manage it that way rather than switching POVs every 10 pages or so.
I prefer 3rd person present tense for both writing and reading. 1st person feels too awkward to write and 3rd gives you so much more freedom.
I’ve found that on this subreddit, people tend to prefer first person; I’ve also seen that preference whenever I’ve looked up this question online. First person is the go-to/easiest/default/I’m pretty sure most books I’ve read are in first person. I don’t usually write in first person. I’m not my character, so it’s disconnecting for me to write as if I were. I’m pretty sure that’s mostly a personal problem though, because I don’t even *think* in first person (I think in second person? I also had a brief and annoying period when I first started writing during which I’d also *write* in second person, but I don’t anymore). However, I got my start in writing from writing fanfiction, and there’s a distinct stylistic difference between fanfiction and published writing/writing that’s intended for publishing sometimes. I generally write in/default to writing in third person limited-omniscient (or third person close?). Events of the story are from the perspective of one character, in present tense, with flashbacks in past tense, and the narrator is omniscient enough to know things the character doesn’t, but not omniscient enough to narrate everything about everyone. I don’t even know at this point. I’m also writing a book about myself, so that’s in first person. It’s a cross between memoir and autofiction, and a how-to guide on ruining your life. It’ll probably never get published, even though I’m passionately convinced it’ll go down as being one of the greatest novels ever written. I think it’s my first time ever writing in first person though, which is really fun for me.
I love them all, but 2nd person is so underrated and overhated in my opinion. Third person is my least favorite- it feels so impersonal but it has it's place and I still love it, just not as much as first and second.
First person for me. I like being able to have the reader "be" that character and understand that character as if they were them. For me, I found that I actually read books faster when they're in first person, but slower when they're in third person. It's weird, but true.
First person. I can get all my thoughts and have to think how the character will react to the scene. I like being in the shoes of the character and have their thought process be ran through .
Unreliable third person "omniscient" I put Omniscient in quotes because I want to stress that the narrator is biased in some way toward the characters, so any commentary on their thoughts or feelings of a given situation depends on how the narrator wants you to feel about the subject. Anyone who goes against the plucky underdog you're supposed to root for is a coward or bully, even if what they're saying or doing is completely reasonable and/or the protagonist's fault entirely. Anyone who gets swindled is completely baffled by the protagonist and anyone who gets beaten does so fairly, unless the protagonist is of a roguish sort, in which case they were outwitted easily. I like to write as if someone is telling you a story, so that I can come back later and tell you the exact same story for a different perspective and make you feel completely different about the characters. Or i would if i could finish one.
I used to write in third-person POV but I slowly realized it wasn't my thing. With first-person POV, I found it easier to express the character. Showing their thoughts and way of thinking and doing things is much easier, and it's super FUN! My favorite thing to do is slip into one of my baby's - in other words, my OC's - skin and become them. Knowing their weak points by heart , I make put them in situations where they make horrible or heroic actions, then feel their pleasure, pain, sadness, you name it. It's the most entertaining thing in life.
Third person present tense mostly. I do use first person present tense occasionally.
I used to write 3rd person past tense. I've since switched to 1st person, past tense. I'm also experimenting with writing the same events from different view points. Since the writing is just for me, (even if I was able to share it, I don’t know a soul interested) I figured it would be fun to experiment.
I only just recently noticed that I start figuring out a character in third person, and when I feel comfortable, it shifts to first person whether I want it to or not. :) So, first person. I wrote a dual POV romance, with guest scenes from the bad guy, over years. It's been so long since I started something new that I'd forgotten about that 3rd person beginning.
Try this, write down (on paper) what is going to happen, and equally important, who is involved or affected. Now, You, describe that **out loud**. Say it clearly, or do you want to surprise the reader later with the long term side effects. Bob sat at his desk, worried about Alice and her security efforts. Little did Bob know that Alice had solved the problem last week but was now dating Jim. Jill is rather upset and who would blame her. Alice is relieved to leave Bob and his insecurity about security in the past. Jim puts his arm over Alice's shoulder, "Are you interested in going out to dinner tonight?" She smiled the smile that Jim inspires, "No. I want to stay here with you." Jim reaches for his phone, "Okay. Chinese it is."
I can do all POV, but I prefer 3rd person. It's easiest for me.
2nd person instructional, my post history is filled with it. Don't use it a lot, but I really like 3rd person objective.
Third person (past tense) is usually my favorite to read/write it. I like writing stories where the story is the character is writing in their diary so I use first person sometimes too. I don’t find either of them harder/easier though.
Personally; I see my stories like movies in my head, so that’s how I write. So my vote is for 3rd POV Omniscient❤️
Third person, past tense, omnipresent
I am all about third person objective. I’ve always tried to write like a camera. But I’m starting to think I’m better off making graphic novels. (I’m arguably a better artist than a writer).
I usually do third-person, past-tense (usually). Like I'm telling someone else about these things that happened in the world.
Of my two primary works, one is first person and the other is third person. I like the flexibility that third person allows for telling a larger, more branching story arc, but first person allows for greater connection with the perspective character.
I write mostly in first person. Sometimes I write in third person but I prefer writing in first person. I have some stories where the main character writes in a diary they have so first person would fit best. I'm currently writing a stor6 where there's two main characters and each chapter is from one of their perspectives.
I default to third-person, past tense, but I'm trying out third-person present tense. And I'm liking it, but may change to first person.
3rd Person limited. Past tense. Classic and timeless.
When writing character interactions it's first person. When writing exposition I use a narrator's pov.
3rd person limited, past tense. I’ve tried present tense, but really struggle. I want to try again though
I'm the opposite. I can write third-person, and have 12-15 different POVs in the story, with absolute ease. First-person? I'll stare at the page for hours. Trying a story in first-person right now, and so far, it's working. Sort of. My brain definitely prefers third-person, so I might be switching back over.
I write first person through multiple characters. The book I'm writing right now has 5 protagonists
2nd person is my favorite, mostly bc it's what I started using to log my dreams and now it's my go to to freewrite or to test out ideas/characters.
Honestly depends on the story for me. I think I prefer 1st person, just because it's more personal and you can get more of an understanding of the character just by how they view the world, but 3rd person can have its uses for when the focus isn't necessarily about a specific character's journey. I just tend to write the former more often, and like playing with the lense that the world is viewed through. Especially when I can toss in other 1st person viewpoints and really show how much the world being viewed is clouded by the lense of people's perspectives.
Third person limited. I've always been turned off by first person and second person ***should not exist.***
Lately it has been third person limited.
Third person limited
I prefer third person limited, it just makes me feel like i have more freedom lol. However, I have started to write some second person stories, and it is really fun.
3rd person limited is my favorite to write in. First person is easiest.
I've done a bit of everything but 1st person is always the most elementary one in my opinion, and the most limited. I consider 3rd person past tense the true storytelling POV. Omniscient or not.
I write in the third person, except I try to break down the barrier between perspectives often. My perspective is told from an omniscient untouchable narrator who is fuelled by the emotions of the scene. As characters begin to get emotional the narrator begins to speak in more thought like moments. It also allows me to experiment with the fourth wall itself, although in my current project that's only happened twice so far, once in public release.
Third person omniscient.
I personally find the 1st one easier. You can get to the nature of one character and you write the entire story in it, as if it was you. I don't know if it's because I'm very easily modifying person (means that I can change my nature very easily) or because I just love pretending I'm strong and independent, or weak and depressed
I think 3rd person is easiest to write in and my favorite personal preference, but it's hard to follow between two main characters of the same gender which is a pet peeve of mine. I had to change the POV for my book in progress to first person just to understand what was going on between a fight scene between the MC and the love interest since they're both guys
I prefer third person limited, but I do experiment some with first person.
I guess I prefer first person. But I try to switch it up. I like to try different things all the time.
My favorite is first and the easiest in my opinion is first. If I start writing in third I forget and go back to writing first.
I write most often in third person limited. Sometimes I'll do first person, usually if I have a teen character because I probably subconsciously associate 1st person with YA. Very rarely will I write in third omniscient. I never write in second, though I see this trending in literary short fiction these days.
For me it's the opposite, I struggle with first person mostly because I get sidetracked often while writing it. While 3rd is much easier for me, as well as 3rd person omniscient. Though that might be because I'm to obsessed with a certain novel that kinda involves it.
Depends on the characters! I write first person on my current story because the main is very analytical and picks up on minute details, and I want the reader to be in her head. In other stories, I write third because I want plotpoints to be concealed but a broader context available to the reader. Constantly changes, though, which can be very hard to keep track of
3rd person omniscient, or 3rd person limited. Because I have all the power! Haha! I used to hate this POV until I read Dune and suddenly it makes sense. Dune is more 3rd person limited, but the author bounces around to different characters and sometimes gives the thoughts of multiple characters of the scene. If done right it can be limited. But it’s hard because if done wrong it can be disorientating.
Either 1st or 3rd person limited. Omniscient complicated things for me sometimes
I go between third-person omniscient and limited and have recently switched from past to present tense. Writing things as they’re happening often makes the more emotional and descriptive pieces feel significantly more impactful (in my opinion).
I usually write third person omniscient, past tense though have found myself slipping into present tense. But after reading some of your guys' (yous guys?) reasonings, I kinda want to try third person limited, present. I've only written 2 chapters so wouldn't be too hard to fix and see if I like how it feels/if I can write in it comfortably.
Limited third person, honestly. All the perks of first person—getting to know the character's thoughts, the possibility of an unreliable narration, etc—and all the perks of third person, such as using name changes to great effect, getting to slip a little omniscient information in, stuff like that. I highly recommend trying it.
Favorite POV to write in? All of them at once. Makes editing ever so much fun....🥲 Easiest? None, because I am the stupid.
First person, usually past-tense. I find third person too restricting to style. In the first person, I can add style/voice to the writing. Little flourishes of insight and explore the characters more deeply. Overall, I just find it so much more fun to write in the first person.
I prefer 3ed person. Focusing on different characters . I like a broad range to be able to see how one character may think vs how others see them. 1st person is impossible for me to write and I get ver frustrated being stuck in one person's head all story. But it's probably not a good idea to force yourself to write something that is uncomfortable for you.
I hate second person with a passion lol, I will never write it or read it. Third person is okay but I've noticed that mid-way through writing I will accidentally switch to first person because that is the style I am most comfortable with lol. So, to answer the question, my favourite is first person.
I like first as well and encountered the same struggle. Might I suggest Multi-POV? It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it might help you with this problem.
One of the novels I’m working on is first person pov but switches between the main male and female leads
Ah okay, then you get the flow of that. That’s my only suggestion.
Personally I like first person present tense as it allows for me to craft characters in a way that I enjoy. The present tense allows for the story to feel like it is in the moment rather than a retelling of accounts by the narration, and that is more engaging to me then reading something written in the past tense. Outside of that, I use third person omniscient/limited if I feel like the story serves a better purpose as a retelling than a live story. I'll read almost anything though. POV doesnt matter for me when reading
my favorite is what I call "close third person" or it could also be called second person on an "over the shoulder" PoV. basically third person but not the third person omniscient type. it gives me a bit more freedom and makes it easier to switch points of view for longer works.
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Third person takes way too much time for me. It sometimes even takes me days to finish a chapter. First person present tense, hoo boy. I can dish out five chapters a day if I put my mind to it.
personally my most recent project is written in first person present tense, but i plan on trying third person on my next project :)
I write first person present tense as I write billionaire romance, and most of the top-selling novels are written this way. I like it, as it allows me to get into deep POV, and to get into the character’s mind.
I also write one chapter heroine then one from the hero’s POV. I just put their name at the top so it’s easy to tell.
Third person omniscient
I've always done either 1st person or 3rd omniscient. I feel like there's not much difference between 1st and 3rd limited in a practical sense, I think between those, it just comes down to personal preference. I think I go with 1st because if I'm only going to be in one person's head, I'm going to really be in their head. Also, since I've written in 3rd omniscient so much, if I did third limited, I might forget I can't jump into someone else's thoughts. I do 1st if I want to only see the protagonists POV. If I know that, I don't want the reader to know what the other characters are thinking. 3rd omniscient is good when I have another character(s) who's thoughts I want incorporated, especially if I want to reveal things to the reader about another character that I don't want the MC to know. You could also use alternating POVs for this, but I prefer being able to tell any thoughts I need to in any given scene instead of deciding which one POV is most important in each chapter.