First Person or Third?

Yeshanu · Dec 11, 2008

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem for me, because I write in whatever person seems most natural for the genre and characters.

But I've started a new YA fantasy, one that looks like it's going to be similar in concept (in some ways) to both Twilight and the Harry Potter series, as well as Buffy and other YA fantasy stories set in contemporary times, though a bit edgier than any of those mentioned.

Twilight is in first person, Harry Potter in third, and my story could work either way. My question is to those who read a lot of Young Adult:

What do you prefer? What works better for you?

As someone who can read and write both, anything done well works for me, but I'd like to know what other readers (especially teen readers) think.

TrickyFiction · Dec 11, 2008

I know this isn't the answer you were looking for, but I never have a POV preference. It's all about the story, the characters. I never pick up a book and say, "I'm not going to read this because it's in first person." Instead, I pick up a book and say, "I'm not going to read this because the narrator is uninteresting."

Yeshanu · Dec 11, 2008

That's a fair answer, Tricky, and it's actually how I feel too. But I know there are others who like/dislike a certain POV, and I was wondering if one was preferred over the other by young adults.

HeronW · Dec 11, 2008

From what I remember, ages ago, most of what I read was 3rd.

Danthia · Dec 11, 2008

Seems like first is popular in YA right now, since I see a lot of books in first, but that can change on a whim

I personally like tight POVs, either first or a close third, so those are the books I tend to pick up and read. In YA, voice is pretty important, and I've found it's easier to get that sense of voice if you have a strong narrator to work with.

Go with what feels right to you

If you have a single protag, maybe first would be good. If you plan to have muliptle POVs, try third.

Shady Lane · Dec 11, 2008

I prefer 1st person meself.

Claudia Gray · Dec 11, 2008

I suggest roughly plotting out your story before you decide. Sometimes plotting is a LOT harder (particularly in a complicated universe) in first person, but sometimes it works well for what you're trying to do. If there is information, world-building, etc. that you'll need your reader to learn but would be difficult to filter through a first person POV, then go for third person. If it will make little difference, just work with what feels right.

Danni · Dec 11, 2008

I've written in both, but first always feels MUCH more personal and intense to me. I vote first.

Deni · Dec 11, 2008

I'm actually having the same problem. My first book was written in third person, and I think I got so used to writing that way that writing in first person for my second attempt at writing a book feels odd. It feels a bit stifled, and its to the point that I'm thinking about starting over in third person. I just don't want to do that. I love the idea of my new book in first person. Its a completely different story set in a completely different world, and I want it to have a completely different voice. Still, I'm having a hard time of it.

wandergirl · Dec 11, 2008

Both my YA novels are in first person, and my personal problem has always been overwriting. When a narrator's just 15 or so, you have to limit the vocab and turns of phrase at least somewhat -- otherwise the voice isn't believable. Because my books are on the literary side, I catch myself doing this all the time.

My next book will be in third. And the idea of it excites me, because it's been so long. Which perspective sounds the most exciting to you? Maybe try a scene in each, and see which inspires you the most. Anything that gets the fire burning is invaluable.

RunawayScribe · Dec 11, 2008

I like first, personally.

^Graff · Dec 11, 2008

First person is good, but only if you play with voice and make it unique, and if I get the sense that your narrator isn't entirely reliable. Otherwise third.

JenWriter · Dec 11, 2008

I like both. A lot of YA I've read lately has been in third person. Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Melissa Marr and Scott Westerfeld.

Amynta · Dec 11, 2008

I like to read and write in both first and (limited) third, although my current and next projects are both in first. Why? It's because of the narrators, really. They are both very strong, honest and quirky personalities and having them tell the story in their own words adds to the charm and makes them stand out. Because those stories are very personal I found first was a better fit - a lot of comments I have had had about my current WIP is that it really sounds like a friend telling their exciting story to you.

That wouldn't work in other stories and so third is a better way to go. I really don't think HP would work in first person, but it does the job fine in limited third (it compensates somewhat for the fact that Harry Potter is an epic fail at noticing things, but still make sure you see mostly what Harry sees).

One thing you have to worry about when it comes to first person is the narrator themselves. I feel that Twilight would be much better in third person, as there were so many I wanted to smack Bella Swan over the head for whining in her narration. Hopefully third person would have dealt with some of Bella's purple descriptions of Edward as well.

In the end, it depends on the writer, story and narrator. If you can write both, lucky for you!

Yeshanu · Dec 12, 2008

wandergirl said:
Both my YA novels are in first person, and my personal problem has always been overwriting. When a narrator's just 15 or so, you have to limit the vocab and turns of phrase at least somewhat -- otherwise the voice isn't believable.

This is actually the main problem I think I might have. I've got a Master's education, and I use words without even realizing that a fifteen year old might have no idea that the particular word might exist, let alone what it means.

But my way around that will be to have a typical teen girl or two beta read for me once it's done.

Momento Mori · Dec 12, 2008

Yeshanu:
What do you prefer? What works better for you?

To echo what others have said, the answer is that it depends on what story you want to tell.

If the crux of your novel is that it is a character piece that relies on the reader empathising with and feeling close to your MC, then first person might work better. I didn't particularly enjoy the Twilight series, but by using first person, you do understand Bella's perspective on things (regardless of whether you find it whiny or needy or pathetic or ... ok, you get the idea).

If the focus of your story is on action or if you have a lot of plot strands or your story relies on gradually revealing pieces of information or worldbuilding, then third person might work better for you because it's a lot easier to show in third person than in first person (where, if you're anything like me, you end up explaining things, which makes for a lot of exposition that isn't always interesting).

I think a lot of it depends on what kind of story you're telling. Personally, I think it can be difficult to do a mystery in first person because you're limited by what your POV character knows. However, first person is a lot better if you're doing a romance because you can see it developing on one side and get an interpretation of how they see the other character. Of course, in fantasy either can work particularly well.

So ... basically I've been no help at all. Erm ... Sorry about that.

MM

Blind Writer · Dec 12, 2008

In YA, I prefer first person. To me, it gives a lot more insight into the MC.

timewaster · Dec 12, 2008

first is easier for conveying personality but can be hard to manage where a lot of the plot/ action takes place when the POV character is not present. It works particularly well in breathless romance or other stories with a lot of internalisation. HP is actually in omni. You can also have muliple viewpoints without writing in omni, including multiple first, though that can get confusing.
If POv doesn't come to you with the story, play around with different apporaches and see what fires you up - one approach will just be easier to do and will give you more ideas. POV tends to come with the book for me - each approach has its own restrictions and advantages.

FTJoshua · Dec 12, 2008

My two cents - my third-person YA was routinely rejected even with a top-notch agent; the second book, which was first-person (mostly), was received much more enthusiastically. There's no hard and fast rule, but the past couple of years have been much better for me when I use first person. It's more immediate and generally more relatable to the reader, I think.

I agree with TW's suggestion of trying it both ways, or a few different ways, see which one tickles you.

AmberA · Dec 12, 2008

I prefer to read first person, because I like being transported into the world and pretending to be in the main characters shoes, just my opinion!

a.randall · Dec 12, 2008

It's all out there, and being read. I really don't have a preferance, but had always written in close 3rd until my YA. There was something missing from it, and one day while I was trying to figure out what, I played around with the first para in 1st, then the chapter and soon the whole book was rocking in 1st.

The only thing I don't like to read is 2nd and present tenses, go fiugre

. And, I bet I didn't help at all.

Amber

Ciera_ · Dec 12, 2008

Either works for me, but I very slightly prefer first.
For me, it's more about the tense. I abhor present-tense, it makes it hard to get into the story.

Horseflye · Dec 13, 2008

What do you guys think about a combination of the two? (in alternating chapters)

wandergirl · Dec 13, 2008

Horseflye said:
What do you guys think about a combination of the two? (in alternating chapters)

I say no way. I read a chick lit book that did something similar to this (Jemima J), only it alternated parts, not chapters. It seemed like such an obvious affectation, and it completely alienated the reader (me). Hated it.

Alternating two characters both in first, or both in third, is fine, as long as it's done well.

Yeshanu · Dec 13, 2008

wandergirl said:
I say no way. I read a chick lit book that did something similar to this (Jemima J), only it alternated parts, not chapters. It seemed like such an obvious affectation, and it completely alienated the reader (me). Hated it.

Alternating two characters both in first, or both in third, is fine, as long as it's done well.

Thanks for that answer. My daughter suggested something similar, and it might or might not work, but I personally think it's cheating.

If I'm going to go with only one viewpoint for the novel, I think I'll write it in first person, but if I need to go multiple viewpoints, it'll definitely be in third.

I don't want to switch person as well as viewpoints, and I dislike (for the
most part) multiple viewpoints in first person. Unless they're done really well, they all come out sounding like the same person to me.

First Person or Third?

Elf Queen

Who?

Elf Queen

Down Under Fan

Danthia

my name is hannah

Shoehorn.

~kirsten hubbard

It is what it is.

Slasher.

Word Count Slayer

Elf Queen

Tired and Disillusioned

YA/MG Author

present

What's a narrative engine?!

Ciera_

~kirsten hubbard

Elf Queen