Writers: Should I write in 1st or 3rd person?

Question

I know that each has its advantages and disadvantages, but any opinions you have would be great. Also, my main concern is that I'm relatively new at the craft, so do you think one or the other would be easier for a newer writer? I'm also having trouble actually finishing a project, so I'm wondering if one or the other would be helpful for that.

Answer 1

First, don't let anyone ever try to tell one form is better, more popular, "safer" than another. They are vehicles an author uses to get somewhere, to tell a story. Writers must decide what offers the best advantages for his purposes. Sometimes, the plot determines which way we should go, other times it's purely a matter of choice. What you need to know is that almost any story can be told in either form but a good writer uses one over another for maximum impact. Think about the story you're telling and decide what helps you get your point across better.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Neither is "easier"; you must write using the POV that best compliments and articulates the message. How active a role is the reader supposed to take as the tale unfolds? This is something I use in my writing to decide the answer; if the character is meant to describe the emotional and sensory impacts and cues, to you, as well as to other readers, use 1st Person POV. If the re is less in the way of detail, and the tale is meant to be told with more generalization, I recommend using a 3rd Person POV.
Good luck to you in completing your current project.

Later Daze! =)
Trank

Answer 3

sorry, I'm not a writer, but i am an avid reader, so heres my opinion,
i prefer reading books from first person, because it really feels like you are there, in the book living it. when someone cracks a joke in the book i laugh out loud. when someone jumps out at them, i have actually screamed (only once or twice, i swear) when a books in 3rd person you don't have as strong a bond to the character(don't get me wrong, some of my favorite books are in 3rd person, Harry Potter for example) Well, that's just my lowly opinion, i hope you got something out of it.

Answer 4

When you are writing, do you see the story from the characters' eyes, are does it seem like you are looking down on the action? If you see the story as a character, write in first person. If you are seeing the story objectively, write in third person. Don't force the perspective to please anyone else.

Answer 5

I would try 3rd person at first. My novel I am working on is in 3rd person and my second novel that I started is in 1st person. It depends on what you are comfortable with. Try 3rd person first. I find that the easiest to do.

Answer 6

i think it just depends on the story and what feels better for the story. i have heard folks 'in the industry' say that 1st person is bad, but i think if you can pull it off then why not? 3rd person is safer, no doubt about it. it's just more pleasing to more folks. but if your story screams for 1st person, do it. if it doesn't, don't.

Answer 7

If you write your story in 3rd person, good writing is expected. Not just good storytelling, but good vocabulary, nice phrases, and interspersed literary tools. If you write in first person, you can write as casually and plainly as you want, because it is written from the thoughts of a person.

Answer 8

im more of a reader than a writer and i prefer reading 3rd person i think....... both are fine but i like 3rd person.....