What person do you like YA books to be in?

It's-Magic! · May 14, 2009

Just curious. Do you like YA books in 1st, etc.
I personally like 1st the best, usually in past tense, and third in the past.

kaitlin008 · May 14, 2009

I tend to prefer past tense (though I'll read present, and sometimes it sounds really good). I don't have a preference between first and third. I think sometimes third gets overlooked. Sometimes it's a better choice than first.

Rachel · May 14, 2009

1st person, past. Usually. I tend to write it, basically (though I'm thinking of putting Cliche into third person. Still past tense. But just thinking for now

). In reading anything goes as long as it is done well.

History_Chick · May 14, 2009

Doesnt matter as long as the story is good

gonovelgo · May 14, 2009

It varies from book to book, obviously, but in general I prefer stories that are 3rd person and past tense.

schrei · May 14, 2009

Third tense tends to be less sappy. You get a less of - "I love my sexy vampire boy so much that I would just explode to be with him" and more - "Sandra-Sue battled the zombies until each of her limbs was tossed behind her like used nappies".

caromora · May 14, 2009

History_Chick said:
Doesnt matter as long as the story is good

Same here. As long as the story is well-crafted and engaging, I don't give a wombat's left teat what POV or tense it's written in.

Shady Lane · May 14, 2009

I like 1st present. There are tons of threads on the subject.

jfreedan · May 14, 2009

I don't think it matters.

Four years ago I wrote a story third person omniscient in past tense. I got hounded to change it to third person limited, present tense , because "that's what everyone is doing." I eventually relented and re-wrote every sentence to be third person limited, present tense. Now "everyone is doing past tense".

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter as long as the writing is entertaining. Write in the voice you want to write in.

Zoombie · May 14, 2009

In "whatever person suits the story and the voice of the story" is the person like.

eyeblink · May 15, 2009

Whatever suits the subject and tone of the book. Mind you, I don't think I've ever read anything in second past - second present certainly.

I'd suggest the more "special effect" types of narrative technique might be more suited to short fiction, but that's not to say that you can't write novels using them. In much of her novel Broke Heart Blues, Joyce Carol Oates uses a first-plural "community voice" to tell her story.

There are also stories which aren't narrated at all - those made up of letters, emails, blogs, reports, transcripts etc and tacitly assembled after the events.

Leila · May 15, 2009

First person past, I guess. Although I'm also fine with first person present, and third person past. (Third person present generally feels weird to me for some reason.) But yeah, if it works with the voice and the story, I'm all for it.

Although, having said that, I usually hate stories which are solely in second person. Hate them hate them hate them. But yeah, it's very much a personal thing and don't let that stop you writing them, if that's what you're into. For me it all feels very pretentious and like I'm in primary school playing make believe with some really bossy kid who wants to shoehorn me into the game when I don't feel like playing, and then tells me everything that my character does. If you can make a story entirely in second person work, you're a genius. I'm yet to read one which doesn't make me want to hit the writer and all the characters in the head.

KTC · May 15, 2009

It shouldn't matter. The focus should be on story and writing...but we all have our personal preference. I voted with the majority. 1st past is the way I go.

Angela_785 · May 15, 2009

I prefer first person past, but man, when first person present is done right, it's amazing!!

Claudia Gray · May 15, 2009

Whatever works for the story. I couldn't care less what tense somebody is using if they're using it well.

Blind Writer · May 15, 2009

I prefer first person past, but I've read some pretty good present, too. LIke Wintergirls. That's present done right!

Metaphor · May 15, 2009

I prefer 1st person past for books with lots of character and voice, but for others third person past is ocmpletely fine.

As long as the book's good, I'll read it.

jmascia · May 15, 2009

1st or 3rd person as long as it's past tense. I cannot wrap my mind around reading or writing stories in present tense. Nor can I really understand how all of those amazing things that happen in a story can happen to "YOU" in the 2nd person.

It's-Magic! · May 15, 2009

Hmm...yeah. I get the fact that most people will read a book if it's good, forgetting about the VP, but is there any that really frustrate you? 2nd person infuriates me a little.

sassandgroove · May 15, 2009

History_Chick said:
Doesnt matter as long as the story is good

That's what I was going to say. I mean, first, why does it matter if it is YA or not? You use the POV that is best for the story, no matter the audience. IMHO.

Rachel · May 15, 2009

schrei said:
Third tense tends to be less sappy. You get a less of - "I love my sexy vampire boy so much that I would just explode to be with him" and more - "Sandra-Sue battled the zombies until each of her limbs was tossed behind her like used nappies".

I want to read that.

It's-Magic! · May 15, 2009

sassandgroove said:
That's what I was going to say. I mean, first, why does it matter if it is YA or not? You use the POV that is best for the story, no matter the audience. IMHO.

Yeah, I know it doesn't matter about the audience, really, but I was just wondering whether you like one better for YA than you do for another audience. Of course, it depends on the story really, but I think teen and YA book are best when in 1st person, because the voice is easier to relate to (because I am a teen myself). That is why I put it in YA.

kaitlin008 · May 15, 2009

I disagree that it's easier to relate to in first person. For me, some stories sound better in first person, others are better off in third. You should be able to relate to the characters in either, if it's done right.

Tiz_Mee · May 18, 2009

I like 1st person just because I feel more drawn into that person's mind and I can relate better (just me though) Most I've read are in past tense - though I am currently reading Evernight - it's in first person - and it seems like I can fly right through it.

Blackest_Nite · Jun 22, 2009

I've always liked past tense novels. It just seems more natural. A sort of 'I have see therefore I tell' type of deal. I haven't found many present tense books on the market lately.

What person do you like YA books to be in?

What person/viewpoint for YA?

1st person, past

1st person, present

2nd person, past

2nd person, present

3rd person, past

3rd person, present

An eye for an eye.

Seeing newness all the time

Stuff and nonsense.

Charming.

Still alive. Kind of.

my name is hannah

Dragon of the Multiverse

Barbara says hi

bookshop girl

Stand in the Place Where You Live

YA/MG Author

twiftie

An eye for an eye.

Sassy haircut

Stuff and nonsense.

An eye for an eye.

Seeing newness all the time

iz bossy . . .

Rubbish Poet