Poetic first person?

Idkwiaowiw · Dec 3, 2009

Is it possible to write a book in first person and still have beautiful language within the novel, or does it make the characters sound unrealistic? I love poetic writing, but the main characters in my new book seem to be begging me to write them in first person (it's a multiple POV book.) Help?

KTC · Dec 3, 2009

Idkwiaowiw said:
Is it possible to write a book in first person and still have beautiful language within the novel, or does it make the characters sound unrealistic? I love poetic writing, but the main characters in my new book seem to be begging me to write them in first person (it's a multiple POV book.) Help?

I ALWAYS try to write poetically. I ALWAYS write first person. I have no idea why you're asking this question. I don't see POV having ANYTHING to do with a propensity to write poetically. The two are not related, IMHO.

IceCreamEmpress · Dec 3, 2009

First person writing has to be authentic for the character who's speaking.

If your character scorns poetic self-expression, then your writing needs to reflect that. If your character embraces poetic self-expression, then your writing needs to reflect that.

KTC · Dec 3, 2009

IceCreamEmpress said:
First person writing has to be authentic for the character who's speaking.

If your character scorns poetic self-expression, then your writing needs to reflect that. If your character embraces poetic self-expression, then your writing needs to reflect that.

That makes sense. I think I'm just blindingly poetic. I wasn't really comprehending the question...but I see it better through your answer.

Cassiopeia · Dec 3, 2009

I have always been told my writing is pretty poetic. Depending on the genre, not the POV. I think first person can be very powerful given the genre. As for poetic, if it's literary, I'd prefer first person.

JamieFord · Dec 3, 2009

Try really really really close 3rd person and see if that doesn't do it just as well.

Another thing to think about when writing lyrically, is that it isn't always about linguistic jujitsu, not just about the arrangement of the words. It can be less about the prose and more about the beauty, anguish, tension, etc of what's happening.

I think Sherman Alexie writes that way all the time. Feels very lyrical, but also rather minimal.

Caitlin Black · Dec 3, 2009

Setting can also be a gateway to poetic first person. I mean, the first thing that came to mind was, "Is this going to be a high fantasy or something similar?" because then you can easily justify writing a poetic book in first person... it's just that kind of world.

As for if it's mainstream, then poetic first person COULD be a little jarring to some readers, but there's always that rule of thumb, (paraphrasing) "If it works, break any rule you want." So who cares if the way I'd do it might be jarring, you're a whole other person! (I know, shocking!)

Go for it if it's what you really want to write.

Idkwiaowiw · Dec 3, 2009

IceCreamEmpress said:
First person writing has to be authentic for the character who's speaking.

If your character scorns poetic self-expression, then your writing needs to reflect that. If your character embraces poetic self-expression, then your writing needs to reflect that.

Ahh, that's what I was thinking, too. Most of the characters don't like poetry or poetic sentences, so it would be odd to have them think that way, or in that form.

Idkwiaowiw · Dec 3, 2009

JamieFord said:
Try really really really close 3rd person and see if that doesn't do it just as well.

I was just thinking about that. Thank you.

kaitie · Dec 4, 2009

I had a really pretentious character once who spoke in a lot of big words. It wasn't necessarily flowery, but definitely more descriptive than most first person things. Potentially annoying for a reader, though it was just very much who he was. He had a Fraser Crane sort of ego lol.

So yeah, depends on the character. Though, I have to ask...why do you want poetic? (editing to clarify I'm not saying it's bad or good, just wondering how it all fits together with the story.)

Also, wanted to say that from my absolutely knowing nothing about your story perspective, it sounds almost like you're looking to have the same type of voice throughout. That's what I'm wondering I guess. Do you have a third person voice that you want to match to the first person one? In that case, I'd probably have to vote as well with sticking to third. Actually, with multiple POV in general, I typically would suggest sticking to third lol. Bit easier on the reader, I think.

job · Dec 4, 2009

Poetic expression that sounds out of place in First Person is going to feel equally unrealistic in Third Person. Whether it's dialog, internals, narrative -- whatever -- the competence and appropriateness of the 'poetic expression' is going to determine whether the reader buys into this as a voice. Not the POV it lands in.

What you might do is maybe post a thousand words in SYW and see what folks say. The, 'is my poetic voice working?' consideration should probably precede the, 'what's the best POV to showcase this poetic voice?' question.

Libbie · Dec 4, 2009

Idkwiaowiw said:
Is it possible to write a book in first person and still have beautiful language within the novel, or does it make the characters sound unrealistic? I love poetic writing, but the main characters in my new book seem to be begging me to write them in first person (it's a multiple POV book.) Help?

Lolita. Read Vladimir Nabokov (all of his stuff, though not all of it is in first) to see just how poetic you can get with first person.

theantisplice · Dec 4, 2009

I think it's very possible, as long as the poetic language is appropriate to the narrating character and it doesn't distract from the story.

Fredster · Dec 4, 2009

I don't mean to sound all dumb, but can someone give a few examples of "poetic writing"? I'm thinking it's not like Dr. Seuss or The Man from Nantucket.

Idkwiaowiw · Dec 4, 2009

kaitie said:
So yeah, depends on the character. Though, I have to ask...why do you want poetic? (editing to clarify I'm not saying it's bad or good, just wondering how it all fits together with the story.)

Oh jeez. Is it horrible to say "just because it's more of my style"?? I've switched countless times to different voices, different sounds, but this poetic voice is the one I always come back to in the end. It's the hardest and the easiest for me.

Caitlin Black · Dec 4, 2009

Off topic, but Idkwiaowiw, does your name stand for: I don't know who I am or what I want ??

It's been bugging the hell out of me.

kaitie · Dec 4, 2009

Idkwiaowiw said:
Oh jeez. Is it horrible to say "just because it's more of my style"?? I've switched countless times to different voices, different sounds, but this poetic voice is the one I always come back to in the end. It's the hardest and the easiest for me.

No, that's fine, but in this case I'd recommend having the whole thing done in third so you can hold the same style and voice throughout. It might be possible to do, but for me, first person should typically have it's own individual voice based on the character. I know it's typically possible to tell who's writing a book no matter what perspective it's told from, but I do think the hardest part of first-person is managing to write in the voice of the character. It's not easy for a lot of people (for me it's actually easier than third, oddly enough), but if you stick to third you should be okay.

Just my two cents.

Not_Laura · Dec 4, 2009

Fredster said:
I don't mean to sound all dumb, but can someone give a few examples of "poetic writing"? I'm thinking it's not like Dr. Seuss or The Man from Nantucket.

A few random examples, Fredster...

"Into that wet vault I take a step. A hand; a bearded face; the smell of whiskey; another hand. My motionless shoes turn cold-- no, wet. A vagrant wave wallops against the pier like a blanket someone shakes out during spring cleaning."

"'Lady please help me oh please take me to the hospital, lady...' Her voice was a mixture of overripe peaches and doorchimes; she was the age of my daughter, running along the woody curves of Van Duzer Street."

"If pink has a taste, it tastes of lipstick. Beeswax, a slight sweetness, suggestive of a yet unsampled flower. I wander a wide field of blossoms, alighting on upturned face after upturned face. Every sip strengthens me, I drink what’s sweet in living."

kuwisdelu · Dec 4, 2009

Of course you can.

It does have to fit the character, yes.

But of course you can.

Libbie said:
Lolita. Read Vladimir Nabokov (all of his stuff, though not all of it is in first) to see just how poetic you can get with first person.

And The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald.

Idkwiaowiw · Dec 4, 2009

Cliff Face said:
Off topic, but Idkwiaowiw, does your name stand for: I don't know who I am or what I want ??

It's been bugging the hell out of me.

I don't know who I am or what I want. Yes, you got it correct!

Idkwiaowiw · Dec 4, 2009

kaitie said:
No, that's fine, but in this case I'd recommend having the whole thing done in third so you can hold the same style and voice throughout. It might be possible to do, but for me, first person should typically have it's own individual voice based on the character. I know it's typically possible to tell who's writing a book no matter what perspective it's told from, but I do think the hardest part of first-person is managing to write in the voice of the character. It's not easy for a lot of people (for me it's actually easier than third, oddly enough), but if you stick to third you should be okay. Just my two cents.

Okay, thank you very much!

Caitlin Black · Dec 4, 2009

Idkwiaowiw said:
I don't know who I am or what I want. Yes, you got it correct!

I am the acronym sleuth whoo.

Fredster · Dec 5, 2009

Not_Laura said:
A few random examples, Fredster...

Thank you.

Lady Ice · Dec 5, 2009

Idkwiaowiw said:
Is it possible to write a book in first person and still have beautiful language within the novel, or does it make the characters sound unrealistic? I love poetic writing, but the main characters in my new book seem to be begging me to write them in first person (it's a multiple POV book.) Help?

Try writing in close third. It would look pretty false writing in an overtly poetic style from first person unless the character is artistic or particularly observant.

Melville · Dec 5, 2009

Good examples! But in my opinion the best example of a poetical first person narrative is Styron's CONFESSIONS OF NAT TURNER... a lush, exquisite, disturbing and Pulitzer-prize winning novel deserving of all its accolades.

At the time of its publication it was criticized for having prose that was too beautiful to belong to an illiterate slave but the idea that the soul, and the thoughts that spring from it, can be highly literate and poetic is a wonderful one.

Poetic first person?

I'm late for life! Shoot.

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Hapless Virago

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Otherwise Occupied

giving resonant directions

Wild one

I'm late for life! Shoot.

I'm late for life! Shoot.

With great power comes

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Punctual

Village idiot

I'm late for life! Shoot.

Wild one

With great power comes

New, but feel free

Revolutionize the World

I'm late for life! Shoot.

I'm late for life! Shoot.

Wild one

Village idiot

Makes useful distinctions

Reader first, writer second