First vs. third person viewpoint

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Valmaraz

Hi,

A few months ago, I started writing a horror novel in third person. I completed four chapters. Then, for some reason, I wrote the same four chapters in first person. I'm not sure which I prefer. The basic overall tone of the book is funny chick-lit meets scary vampires. I'm not sure which viewpoint would work best with this tone. I am leaning toward first person. Any thoughts on point of view in a first-time novel?

Thanks!
 

Andre_Laurent

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Valmaraz said:
Hi,

A few months ago, I started writing a horror novel in third person. I completed four chapters. Then, for some reason, I wrote the same four chapters in first person. I'm not sure which I prefer. The basic overall tone of the book is funny chick-lit meets scary vampires. I'm not sure which viewpoint would work best with this tone. I am leaning toward first person. Any thoughts on point of view in a first-time novel?

Thanks!
I think third works better but that's just me. I don't like to write in first person and I don't like to read it. So, as you can see, I am a tad biased. :D
 

blacbird

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No recommendations, other than, like anything else, the POV you choose should be an integral component in the over all story. And there's nothing wrong with fooling around with a story in both first- and third-person (limited, I assume) and running it past a beta reader or two when you're at the point you need feedback. But the only really useful advice you're likely to get will be that related to the specific writing itself, and not as a theoretical question.

caw.
 

aadams73

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Lots of funny chick-lit meets scary vampires is done in first person. Actually, I can't think of one in third, although there's no reason why it couldn't work just as well. You could post a bit of each in Share You Work and see what potential readers think.
 

Valmaraz

first vs. third person

Funny, you should mention the first and third person together. I thought about writing the main character in first person and the very attractive psedo bad-guy vampire in third person. Just a thought.

Meow.
 
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