showing vs telling - 1st vs 3rd person

Hi Jimmy. Check out the roundtable threads and you should find lots of stuff regarding your question. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=123

Or maybe basic writing questions, here. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=175

You could have a mod port this over to a forum that will get it more views and responses. In any case, good luck on all three!

Christine

I wouldn't say third person gives more options so much as different options. I participated in a workshop on viewpoint (I was having trouble deciding if I should write in third or first. It turned out it was omniscient). We had to rewrite the same scene in various viewpoints, also including from other character pespectives. Each one gave different options as to how to approach things, and some were more challenging because I was used to third.

If you're on the fence about if you should change viewpoints again, think about what the story needs. But if you change to something that you haven't done before, it will be harder, though it'll get easer as you continue writing.

I'm unconvinced that 1st vs. 3rd is related to showing vs. telling.

First Person-Telling
I saw Randy at the 7-11. He said he was leaving Sharona before he lost it and hit her. That made me sad. When had my stepbrother become violent?

Third Person-Telling
She saw Randy at the 7-11. He said he was leaving Sharona before he lost it and hit her. That made her sad. When had her stepbrother become violent?

Not much difference, is there? They both stink.

Maryn, who can write badly on short notice

Show vs. tell has nothing to do with 1st or 3rd POV.

With first, it doesn't mean you can just tell, tell, tell and do a whole lot of navel gazing.

With 3rd, it doesn't mean you can't delve into your characters' thoughts and feelings, that everything has to be shown externally.

The trick is to find the balance no matter what POV you're using. And sometimes you can even mix and match.

It's all about writing a riveting, engaging story. POVs are just tools, and part of the process.