Which Perspective do you prefer?

Otterly Lost · Mar 2, 2012

First, Second, or Third? Its always a question I thought any writer should consider very very carefully before starting any piece because if anything affects how your story is told and how it turns out, its the perspective. A story is always different depending on where you're telling it from.

So I'm asking which you prefer? And not just when writing but when reading?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this. I was just really curious as I've always preferred third, both writing and reading.

Buffysquirrel · Mar 2, 2012

I prefer first person, but it has to be done really well. There's so much bad first person out there that I could cry.

Generally, I find that third is the easiest for most purposes, but I actually find it hard to write. All those identical pronouns confuse me. So I have a bad habit of sticking to first, even when I have no good reason for using it.

Second person I think is the hardest one for people to pull off, although I have seen it done well on occasion. It's not a person I'd choose to write in myself, having seen it done so badly so many times. If it suited the story, I'd use it.

Aggy B. · Mar 2, 2012

Otterly Lost said:
First, Second, or Third? Its always a question I thought any writer should consider very very carefully before starting any piece because if anything affects how your story is told and how it turns out, its the perspective. A story is always different depending on where you're telling it from.

So I'm asking which you prefer? And not just when writing but when reading?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this. I was just really curious as I've always preferred third, both writing and reading.

I mostly write 1st and close/limited 3rd. Every now and then I turn out a 2nd person short story, but find 2nd person is harder to pull off effectively.

And, while the story is a little different between 1st and 3rd, I tend to write so close even in 3rd that the difference usually boils down to how many characters I want to follow when it comes to choosing the perspective.

Cacophony · Mar 2, 2012

I really enjoy first person, it's the most fun for me. I've written a few short stories in each perspective; by far the hardest being second person, though it works incredibly well in a radio play format and if I was moved to write one I would probably choose to go that route. First person just feels the most natural.

flapperphilosopher · Mar 2, 2012

I prefer limited third. I'm not at all biased against reading something in first (if it's good, of course!) but it doesn't come naturally to me in my own writing. I've read very little 2nd and never tried it; it IS by far the hardest to pull off.

BethS · Mar 2, 2012

I write in close third-person. I'll read third-person, first-person, and omniscient, as long as they're done well.

Quentin Nokov · Mar 2, 2012

I'm more of a third-person limited. I like being able to get into the heads of multiple characters and for me it's easier to tell a story when I can shift to different characters. I can add more subplots and develop each character more finely. First person feels really restrictive, for me, when I want to talk about the villain half a continent away. As for omniscient--I haven't mastered it. I feel I'd make too many mistakes.

The Seanchai · Mar 2, 2012

When reading, I always prefer third person. I find it hard to get engrossed in any book written in first person (actually if I see a book is written in first person it's enough for me to put it back and choose something else at times).

Having said that, I also prefer writing in third person when writing novels. However, it seems that no matter what the topic is, if I'm writing a short story it always winds up being in first person. I'm not sure why that is when I dislike reading first person so much.

Mclesh · Mar 2, 2012

First for me. I'm finishing my work in progress, and I tried writing it in third. It just didn't work. I started from scratch using first. It's so much better.

First fits my writing style. It's harder in some ways and easier in others. It fits my main characters who get to tell their story. It's challenging since all of the description has to come from their perspective.

But that's just me. I've also written third. It depends on the story, I guess, and what feels right.

Buffysquirrel · Mar 2, 2012

The limitations of first person are part of what I like about it. Some people see restrictions. I see a challenge.

(not saying I'm always up to the challenge, mind. I have been *known* to whine)

Otterly Lost · Mar 2, 2012

I prefer third person because of the freedom of it. And like The Seanchai said, I usually won't read read anything if its in first person. Not unless its excellently written. First person is a challenge but it is incredibly limiting as well. You can only discuss what the first person character can see or feel or hear. it always makes me feel like I'm missing huge parts of my story because of it.

Second person is by far the hardest but I have seen it used rather effectively in a story called You, Peggy, and that Dog. I can't remember the writer's name but it was a short story. ^^

Linda Adams · Mar 2, 2012

Omniscient, both writing and reading. There's a quality to it that makes for warm, wonderful stories.

Hip-Hop-a-potamus · Mar 2, 2012

First or third. I'm also comfortable with writing in either two.

My WIP right now started in 3rd. But it just wasn't singing to me. I had a brainstorm, changed it to first, and never looked back. My character wanted to tell her story herself, dammit. She was not going to be happy with everyone talking around her.

The one thing everyone comments on is how great her voice is. Yay me!

jaksen · Mar 2, 2012

When I started writing I thought there were two POV's, first and third. I had no idea that there was something called omni, though of course I read books written that way. I also knew some writers confused me and I had to re-read passages sometimes. I now realize they were the head-hoping writers - and yes, there are some who write this way and their fans seem not to mind or care.

My preferences are first and third. I don't know which I'll use until I start writing.

Buffysquirrel · Mar 2, 2012

Two of the greatest first person novels I've ever read are Great Expectations and David Copperfield. They certainly don't read like all you know is the narrator's direct experience.

BlueFox · Mar 2, 2012

First or third here as well, depending on the story. I have a tendancy to write opening chapters in both perspectives then compare them to see which one works best!

I really dislike second.

Silver-Midnight · Mar 2, 2012

I typically write in third limited.

SaronaNalia · Mar 3, 2012

I've been known to use all three. I pick whichever I think will fit the story.

Well done second person is my favorite to read, but it's not easy to find.

Chasing the Horizon · Mar 3, 2012

I write all forms of third person, limited, unlimited (yes, I change POVs mid-scene and it's only confusing if you fuck it up), and full-on omni. I never work in first or second person, and a book has to be exceptional to make me enjoy reading either. I have read a few first person books that I felt were better for being in that person, though.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 3, 2012

I read almost any POV, but I greatly prefer first person, past tense. This means I also write mostly in first person, past tense.

crunchyblanket · Mar 3, 2012

It depends heavily on the story, and on the characters.

In terms of writing, I find first person easiest. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's best for the story I'm writing.

Brigid Barry · Mar 3, 2012

Otterly Lost said:
First, Second, or Third? Its always a question I thought any writer should consider very very carefully before starting any piece because if anything affects how your story is told and how it turns out, its the perspective. A story is always different depending on where you're telling it from.

So I'm asking which you prefer? And not just when writing but when reading?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this. I was just really curious as I've always preferred third, both writing and reading.

The novel I'm currently editing is 3rd limited which was easy as long as I remembered to speak from only one point of view. Character A doesn't know what character B is feeling, but I had the power to hop through different characters.

My new one is going to be from the first person because it just felt right to do it that way.

I would never dare to attempt to write anything in second person. I just keep thinking of the Choose Your Own Adventure books.

Grunkins · Mar 3, 2012

I prefer 3rd Limited because it gives a writer the most options. But I find 1st to be much easier.

J.W. Alden · Mar 3, 2012

Third limited is probably the easiest for me, but I think first brings the best out of me.

Lucia · Mar 3, 2012

I like third because of its vastness and potential, but I have found recently that my voice feels a lot stronger in 1st. My current wip I feel would not work as well in 3rd than 1st.

Which Perspective do you prefer?

Otterly Lost

Buffysquirrel

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think

Cacophony

Hashtag

flapperphilosopher

BethS

Quentin Nokov

King of the Kitties

The Seanchai

Mclesh

It's too hot

Buffysquirrel

Otterly Lost

Linda Adams

Soldier, Storyteller

Hip-Hop-a-potamus

My rhymes are bottomless

jaksen

Caped Codder

Buffysquirrel

BlueFox

Silver-Midnight

SaronaNalia

Chasing the Horizon

Blowing in the Wind

Jamesaritchie

crunchyblanket

the Juggernaut of Imperfection

Brigid Barry

🧂🐎👩 Bad Attitude

Grunkins

Grand adventurer of the couch

J.W. Alden

The King Who Bore the Sword

Lucia