One of my next projects is going to be written in first person (which is new to me). It's basically the story of one person's career and how all the dramatic events changed her over the years. She returns as a main character in my fantasy series, so this is really just the first part of her story (my series is 3rd limited). What I'm trying to decide is whether the first person books should be written as if the character is recounting her story after it has all already happened, or if I should approach it as an account being written as the events happen (going to be past tense either way). The books span sixteen years, and the character's narrative voice would change significantly over that time if I used the perspective of 'writing as it happens'. Her voice would remain the same throughout if I used the other perspective.
So which is better? Would it take away from the drama and immediacy if she was telling it all from a later point in time, or would the shift in narrative voice be distracting if she tells it as it happens? Basically, which would you prefer reading?
(If both are equal, I'm going with a later recount, because it will be much easier to write)
So which is better? Would it take away from the drama and immediacy if she was telling it all from a later point in time, or would the shift in narrative voice be distracting if she tells it as it happens? Basically, which would you prefer reading?
(If both are equal, I'm going with a later recount, because it will be much easier to write)
Obviously she survives, since she's in my later series. One of my favorite first person books is The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, and that's written from the perspective of a recount. This particular character doesn't keep a written diary, so I can't use that device.