Can I get away with writing a chapter in first person past tense even though the PoV character dies at the end of that chapter? Would the readers feel a bit confused about that? Should I write it in present tense instead?
When your PoV dies.
- Thread starter aurinko
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You could do it. You know, when I'm writing first-past, I'm always curious about where the narrator is, how long after the events of the story, and why the narrator is telling this story. What sparked it? Could you write the last chapter in past tense? Yes. You could end it in present: '... and now I'm...'
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I like the idea that someone mentioned of keeping it in past, and at some point bringing it up to present right as they die or something. Keeping it all in past-tense, as a personal preference, wouldn't sit right with me.
I considered doing that for a moment, but I'm not sure if most people wouldn't find that jarring.
The first chapter of Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve is written in present tense, while the rest of the book is in past tense, and I don't think I even noticed it when reading the book for the first time. I've also read some other stuff by Philip Reeve, where he would occasionally switch to present tense here and there, and that definitely was something I found really jarring.
I suppose at the moment I'm leaning towards writing that one chapter in present tense. I've spend my whole life writing in past tense, so it feels really weird to write in present tense, but it's only just that one chapter, so I probably can do it.
Though I still expect to change my mind on this issue several times over.
I think you could keep it in past - I've run into something similar, and kept it in past by imagining he was telling someone in the afterlife (gods? Other people?) the story of how he died.
Ultimately I think a lot will depend on how the rest of the story is handled.
Ultimately I think a lot will depend on how the rest of the story is handled.
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I think that having your POV character die in 1st person past tense only works if you imply (or something stronger) that the person experiences life after death.
Bit confused here...so the character dies, and the story continues. Who tells the story? - or, do you switch to third person? The latter option is famously apt to either put off an editor or annoy the reader.
In one story I have a character die and continue from another character's point of view. I'm feeling a bit shaky as to how that will work out, but nevertheless feel the transition is justified.
As for present tense - it just sounds really weird to me. Like I'm hanging out with someone and they take a soda and say, "I take a soda." I mean, WTH?! "I took a soda" sounds more natural.
In one story I have a character die and continue from another character's point of view. I'm feeling a bit shaky as to how that will work out, but nevertheless feel the transition is justified.
As for present tense - it just sounds really weird to me. Like I'm hanging out with someone and they take a soda and say, "I take a soda." I mean, WTH?! "I took a soda" sounds more natural.
I've heard this sentiment expressed a few times, but I don't really feel that way. I mean, don't people sometimes tell stories like this: "So I go into the store, and look around, and there's this guy standing there etc." ? I think present tense only feels weird because people aren't used to it.
The story has several PoVs. That particular character ever gets only one chapter.
It worked in the bible. Moses spoke of his own death, which is why many scholars believe he didn't write Deut.
But seriously, I don't think several POVs works well in first person, especially if you change the tenses from past to present, etc.
There are published novels that have more than one first POV, but, they are few, such as Breaking Dawn. Two first person POV characters, each who have their own chapters.
But seriously, I don't think several POVs works well in first person, especially if you change the tenses from past to present, etc.
There are published novels that have more than one first POV, but, they are few, such as Breaking Dawn. Two first person POV characters, each who have their own chapters.
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There are plenty that have multiple first POVs. Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER series does. Sam and Grace alternate the first book, then two more characters are added in for the second and third. It worked very well.
How does that contradict me, though? Few books do it, out of the thousands on book shelves.
^The fact that most authors don't do it doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't work.
I know the reason why most authors don't do it: developing a bunch of different voices takes time and effort, and so, if your story doesn't really NEED to be in first person, but needs to have several PoV characters, then it's just easier to write from third person limited.
I've listened to an interview with Barbara Kingsolver yesterday. She talked about her book, The Poisonwood Bible, where she had five different PoVs, all written in first person. She said that to develop five completely different voices, she made exercises for herself where she would describe the same scene from the point of view of several different characters, trying to make their narration as distinct as possible.
Actually, I think one of her PoVs dies. I haven't read that book, though. Should probably take a look at it sometime soon and see how she handled that.
I know the reason why most authors don't do it: developing a bunch of different voices takes time and effort, and so, if your story doesn't really NEED to be in first person, but needs to have several PoV characters, then it's just easier to write from third person limited.
I've listened to an interview with Barbara Kingsolver yesterday. She talked about her book, The Poisonwood Bible, where she had five different PoVs, all written in first person. She said that to develop five completely different voices, she made exercises for herself where she would describe the same scene from the point of view of several different characters, trying to make their narration as distinct as possible.
Actually, I think one of her PoVs dies. I haven't read that book, though. Should probably take a look at it sometime soon and see how she handled that.
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