Absolute Chaos Discussion Boards
Fic Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: Sevily on November 09, 2010, 12:16:57 PM
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I'm not which category to post this in. Sorry if it's the wrong one.
Let me start off by saying that I suck at first person narration. At least I think I do. I have a hard time showing and not telling.
The two stories that I have posted on here are written in the first person because I wanted to try and get better at it. I understand that no one likes to read a horribly written story and I'm sorry for those of you that have given my stories a chance and couldn't do it. Because I agree, my first person narration skills suck infinitely.
But we're not here because we have to be. We're here because we want to be. We want to escape and read about people and places that we love. We want to write worlds that we can control. At least in the third person we can, because our characters don't have a mind of their own, we tell them how to feel and what to do.
But with first person, it's so uncertain, and that's what I have a hard time with. The antagonist may or may not be trustworthy, or heroic, or sane enough to tell a story, and the readers watch everything unfold through their eyes. Descriptions, events and anything else may be tainted because we're only seeing one perspective. And this is why I need help.
Those of you who do write in first person, what steps do you take to do that? Do you put yourself in their shoes and just write. Do you have any exercises you do to prepare yourself? How do you show instead of tell?
Any advice would help! :shrug:
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With first person? You have to solely put yourself in their shoes, description is tricky, cause you can't get too flowery with it. Instead you gotta describe it like you feel they would. When you create that character, you need to write like they think, if that makes sense. Once you create that voice, that needs to be what tells the story.
Hopefully that helps?
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I feel more comfortable writing in first person than third. I always put myself in the character's shoes and say the lines and do the actions as I write. I find it helps. I also make sure that the story really does revolve around that person and that he or she can stand on their own before I commit to writing it in first person, because nothing sucks more than starting a story in first person only to realize that the character really isn't all that interesting. *coughlikeforexampleBellainTwilightcough* lol
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^^ That is so true, always make sure your character is gonna be intriguing enough to go with. Cause a bad narrator means a bad story. Also make sure the full story could be told in their POV, cause you could run into problems if vital stuff happens but they can't tell the readers about it.
An alternative to that is switching POVs, but that also takes some finesse. Such as establishing it from the beginning, so it's not awkward. And then you need to make sure that the voices are distinct enough that the reader can tell them apart. Not to mention, don't switch it up too much, cause then it just gets confusing.
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This is a great topic. Sevily, I feel a lot like you do about first person. When it comes to reading, I don't really have a preference as long as it's written well, but as a writer, I usually stick to third person.
That said, I am actually writing a story in first person right now, Curtain Call. I think it's the first novel I've attempted to write in first person in like ten years LOL. I'm enjoying it a lot because it gives it a different feel, but it's also challenging. I'm actually switching between the two main characters' points of view, to show both perspectives, so I've had to not only get the hang of writing in first person, but also writing from two different characters' points of view.
I basically do what Rose and Mare said and try to put myself in their shoes as much as I can. I find it a lot easier with my female character, Cary, because she's not so different from me, so I use a lot of what I would say and do if I were her. Nick is a lot tougher, being that I'm 1) not a guy, 2) not in the music business, and 3) not going through the stuff he is in the story. With him, I just research as much as I can. Sometimes it helps just to watch videos of him in interviews and read his tweets and stuff and pay attention to his mannerisms and the kind of stuff he says and the way he words things. Not that I spend hours watching and studying Bsb videos intently LOL, but now and then they can be inspiring to help you get a better picture in your head. If I can picture the character doing things in the story and imagine them saying the dialogue in my head as I write, it's a lot easier and seems a lot more realistic.
As far as showing not telling, I know it's tempting to have the character tell all about themselves at the beginning... if you can space that out among something actually happening in the story, some action and dialogue and such, then you can still tell what you need to tell without it seeming like "TELLING, NOT SHOWING." SHOW something happening AS you tell the back story, and try to blend the two in a way that seems natural. Easier said than done, I know! I'm definitely not an expert; I've just been muddling through the same thing you are.
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I feel more comfortable writing in first person than third. I always put myself in the character's shoes and say the lines and do the actions as I write. I find it helps. I also make sure that the story really does revolve around that person and that he or she can stand on their own before I commit to writing it in first person, because nothing sucks more than starting a story in first person only to realize that the character really isn't all that interesting. *coughlikeforexampleBellainTwilightcough* lol
I second your cough! lol
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Thanks for all the help guys :)
I think my biggest problem is "I did this, then I did that, and afterwards, I did this again."
Julie, you're right about Nick - it's harder to write as someone you really can't relate to. You can relate to things he does, but as a person - not so much. I think that's my biggest problem right now too.
It's making me a little unmotivated. :(
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Well in a lot of ways "I did this, I did that..." etc is the only way you can do it. If you were telling the story about yourself you would say, for example;
I went to the store after work today to buy english muffins and pizza sauce. I had been craving mini pizzas all day. Afterwards, when I was full to the top with cheese and toppings, I needed a nap.
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This is true. You just need to "zoom in" on the important parts and tell them in more detail than you would when you're just telling/summarizing a quick story or background info. That's where the dialogue and such comes in.
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Well in a lot of ways "I did this, I did that..." etc is the only way you can do it.
I went to the store after work today to buy english muffins and pizza sauce. I had been craving mini pizzas all day. Afterwards, when I was full to the top with cheese and toppings, I needed a nap.
I know that it's inevitable when writing in the first person, I just feel like when I do it, it's too detail-oriented and readers get really bored.
I know all these tips are going to help :)
Thank you SO much for all your input! :wave:
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I never noticed it until Julie pointed it out one time, but I ALWAYS write in 1st person. You definitely have to pay attention to detail when writing in first person. You have to write about practically every thought and action, including reactions and feelings, as well as how the character perceives OTHER characters.
I can give you some samples of my writing if you want. I actually have a non-fiction original novel about a trip I went on once, as well as a fanfic that I could show you.
Just out of curiosity, are you writing this in past or present tense?
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I never noticed it until Julie pointed it out one time, but I ALWAYS write in 1st person. You definitely have to pay attention to detail when writing in first person. You have to write about practically every thought and action, including reactions and feelings, as well as how the character perceives OTHER characters.
I can give you some samples of my writing if you want. I actually have a non-fiction original novel about a trip I went on once, as well as a fanfic that I could show you.
Just out of curiosity, are you writing this in past or present tense?
Past tense, grammatically, I think it would bother me if I had to write in the present while in first person. Are your stories on the site? If they are, I can take a look at them there, if not, I'd love to read them! :)
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Haha, well I've done present tense first person. It's actually pretty fun. No, they're not on the site, but I'll send you an e-mail of a couple samples. I'm not the best writer in the world, but I do have a few samples that I'm happy enough with to show you!
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I used to love writing in first person. I tried writing in third person once but automatically wrote in first person after a few chapters! I did that with Don't Wanna Lose You now, which I decided to quit with for a while. I went from third person to first person in the same chapter and I didn't even notice until a few days after I've posted it! *facepalm* Worst mistake I've made till now!
I usually love writing in first person because I love to write the thoughts of that person. But lately I have struggles with doing that exact same thing. It's getting hard writing everything in greater detail because English isn't my first language and I don't want to use the same kind of sentences/words.. if you know what I mean lol. I've noticed that with Ice Cold Blood and my challenge story Out of the Ordinary. The fact I have to think so much and it takes me so long (long = 2,5 hours) before I can finish a chapter, is making me lose motivation. It's sooo annoying. :( I thought of at least one solution for myself though: post stories once you've finished them. LOL! In that way I can at least update regularly, because now.. I'm letting my readers down big time. I wanted to finish Ice Cold Blood before the voting dead line of the Felix Awards and I have to have Out of the Ordinary finished by the end of this year and even then I still think I won't manage that! Maybe I should try third person again.. and write a concept (or the entire chapters) from the point I'm at now to the very end of the story, so I can write faster in Word.
I know this isn't probably of much help for you, Sevily, but this is something I'm struggling with as well now and I figured the others helped you a lot already lol..
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^ Nah, it's nice to get feedback on different situations! This thread is for everyone who needs help, not just me :)
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I'll probably e-mail you tonight or tomorrow.... I ended up busy today. Sorry!
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I'll probably e-mail you tonight or tomorrow.... I ended up busy today. Sorry!
There's no rush. I'm not sure when I'll have time to read, I have to work about 80 hours next week. :crazy:
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Sevily, let me first say that I'm reading both your stories and I think you're doing a great job with first person. I've only written a couple little challenges so my opinion isn't much. lol. But for me, I'm the opposite. They've all been written in first person. Just like everyone else was saying...I put myself in their shoes and I think it's much easier to feel how they would feel and be able to describe their feelings. To me, it's like the automatic way to go. Every time I started a new challenge I thought about trying third person and I feel like the opposite of what you said. I was scared it would be like "Brian was sad, and then he cried." LOL.
I don't know, I'm not helping much...just agreeing with what others had said. As far as switching POV's, I think it's a great idea if it's organized. And good point to whoever mentioned this: make sure that if it's first person that they can tell the whole story. I've read stories before where it'll be first person from one view the whole time and then that person is unconscious all of a sudden and it switches to third. It's like ???
LOL
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And good point to whoever mentioned this: make sure that if it's first person that they can tell the whole story. I've read stories before where it'll be first person from one view the whole time and then that person is unconscious all of a sudden and it switches to third. It's like ???
LOL
LOL that is sooo true. I've gotten myself into that kind of a mess before; the first time I tried collaborating, we agreed to write the story in first person from Brian's POV since he was both of our favorite Boy, but since we hadn't planned out the story at all, we didn't realize we'd need to write scenes about AJ and Howie by themselves, and that by the end of the story, Brian would be unconscious in the hospital (this was my plane crash story LOL), so the whole first person thing kind of fell apart by the end.
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LOL that is sooo true. I've gotten myself into that kind of a mess before; the first time I tried collaborating, we agreed to write the story in first person from Brian's POV since he was both of our favorite Boy, but since we hadn't planned out the story at all, we didn't realize we'd need to write scenes about AJ and Howie by themselves, and that by the end of the story, Brian would be unconscious in the hospital (this was my plane crash story LOL), so the whole first person thing kind of fell apart by the end.
I LOVE that story! I mean, I know you wrote it a long time ago...but I still love it :) But yeah, it's funny when that happens. Cuz then it's like "damnit!" Uhhh...switchi ng POV now! I used to hate reading stories where the POV switches but now it's like...it depends on how it's done. When you can't even tell whose POV you're reading because it's so back and forth it's confusing!
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I LOVE that story! I mean, I know you wrote it a long time ago...but I still love it :) But yeah, it's funny when that happens. Cuz then it's like "damnit!" Uhhh...switchi ng POV now! I used to hate reading stories where the POV switches but now it's like...it depends on how it's done. When you can't even tell whose POV you're reading because it's so back and forth it's confusing!
LOL Fight for Survival? It was so much fun to write... and hey, it's one of the few collabs I've actually FINISHED, so I consider it a success in that sense! We just didn't think it through very much, beyond the basic idea of the plane crash LOL.
Yeah, I think the whole POV switching has to be done carefully. There should be some kind of rhyme or reason to it, and if the two voices aren't distinctive from each other, labels help. Switching POV in mid-chapter is the worst! But not always; Sakabelle's story "Running Up That Hill" switches between Nick's, Brian's, Howie's, and Kevin's POVs in each chapter (four scenes to a chapter, each scene in a different boy's POV), without labels, and it's not hard to follow. But she does a nice job writing in first person, and you can figure out who's narrating pretty quickly. And because that's how the story has always been set up, it doesn't seem random; it was clearly meant to be that way.
I think planning is the key LOL.
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^ I don't think I could ever try and switch POVs when writing a story. Julie, you're great at it with Curtain Call but I think for me, I'd get so confused and wouldn't be able to establish a strong character.
And yes, planning a story is KEY. When I started writing my two stories, I made sure nothing happened where they wouldn't be able to tell it themselves.
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^ I don't think I could ever try and switch POVs when writing a story.
I think a lot of people do it without even noticing. Then three chapters later think 'crap, this was in 1st person!' lol
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I think a lot of people do it without even noticing. Then three chapters later think 'crap, this was in 1st person!' lol
That's true lol. I'm not sure I've ever done it before, but I can see if you'd get so into a story that it just comes naturally. Sometimes characters voices needed to be told.
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^ I don't think I could ever try and switch POVs when writing a story. Julie, you're great at it with Curtain Call but I think for me, I'd get so confused and wouldn't be able to establish a strong character.
And yes, planning a story is KEY. When I started writing my two stories, I made sure nothing happened where they wouldn't be able to tell it themselves.
Thanks! I didn't even know you were reading it. :)
When I started it, I knew I was going to write in Cary's POV. I didn't know if I was going to tell the whole thing in her POV or try to switch back and forth, and I really didn't decide for sure until I'd tried out Nick's to see how it went. His is still harder, but I'm glad I chose to switch off between the two because I think it's more interesting that way, to see both sides of the story. The same thing could have been done with third person, but I just always felt that this one should be in first, for some reason.
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LOL I remember when I first started to write in First person, i'd find myself randomly switching back to third for a paragraph or two then back to first without even realizing I was doing it.
Writing first person from mutliple people is tough but sometimes that's the best way to go if you aren't totally sure what your plot is going to be.
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LOL Fight for Survival? It was so much fun to write... and hey, it's one of the few collabs I've actually FINISHED, so I consider it a success in that sense! We just didn't think it through very much, beyond the basic idea of the plane crash LOL.
Yeah, I think the whole POV switching has to be done carefully. There should be some kind of rhyme or reason to it, and if the two voices aren't distinctive from each other, labels help. Switching POV in mid-chapter is the worst! But not always; Sakabelle's story "Running Up That Hill" switches between Nick's, Brian's, Howie's, and Kevin's POVs in each chapter (four scenes to a chapter, each scene in a different boy's POV), without labels, and it's not hard to follow. But she does a nice job writing in first person, and you can figure out who's narrating pretty quickly. And because that's how the story has always been set up, it doesn't seem random; it was clearly meant to be that way.
I think planning is the key LOL.
LOL! Yep, that's the one. I love it :) So old school...you know I love my crash stories. :D And I totally agree about Sakabelle's story. I love it and it's very easy to follow. And yes, planning is key. Like for Curtain Call, if you wrote from all Cary's POV I think it would have been very tough to really tell the story. How would you show any scenes with just Nick and the guys? I think that one would have been tough.
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LOL I remember when I first started to write in First person, i'd find myself randomly switching back to third for a paragraph or two then back to first without even realizing I was doing it.
Writing first person from mutliple people is tough but sometimes that's the best way to go if you aren't totally sure what your plot is going to be.
I love to read that when it's done well. I never really thought about it, but I think I prefer to read first person. I love when the author really gets in the mind of the character and it really does seem like they're talking. lol
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LOL! Yep, that's the one. I love it :) So old school...you know I love my crash stories. :D And I totally agree about Sakabelle's story. I love it and it's very easy to follow. And yes, planning is key. Like for Curtain Call, if you wrote from all Cary's POV I think it would have been very tough to really tell the story. How would you show any scenes with just Nick and the guys? I think that one would have been tough.
LOL thanks! And yeah, I agree about CC; she's kind of outside the story, so I think I really needed Nick's POV too, since he's the one going through it all.
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Thanks! I didn't even know you were reading it. :)
That's because I suck lol. I usually read between lapses at work, and then don't have time to review, so I make a mental note to review when I get back to my apartment...bu t that never happens...
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Aw thanks you guys for all the love on Running Up That Hill!
I personally find first person to be a lot easier now, and that's because I tend to write stories that are very character based. I try to think about the charcter's thoughts a lot and how they would feel in a certain situation. I used to write mostly in third person, but I decided I wanted to try in first person and now I can't get enough of it and I like it much better. Though I do like switching, I don't know if I'd be able to write an entire story (that wasn't a one shot) in one character's POV. It can be difficult to keep things in the POV of one person, because they have to be in all the scenes and basically the reader lives the story through their eyes.
I think that Mare does a really good job of that with What Lurks Around The Corner. The reader experiences everything and learns about things at the same time as Nick does. It makes everything seem that much more real and exciting.
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That's because I suck lol. I usually read between lapses at work, and then don't have time to review, so I make a mental note to review when I get back to my apartment...bu t that never happens...
LOL well, I appreciate the review you just left! :) Glad to know you've been enjoying the story. Thanks for reading!
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Aw thanks you guys for all the love on Running Up That Hill!
I personally find first person to be a lot easier now, and that's because I tend to write stories that are very character based. I try to think about the charcter's thoughts a lot and how they would feel in a certain situation. I used to write mostly in third person, but I decided I wanted to try in first person and now I can't get enough of it and I like it much better. Though I do like switching, I don't know if I'd be able to write an entire story (that wasn't a one shot) in one character's POV. It can be difficult to keep things in the POV of one person, because they have to be in all the scenes and basically the reader lives the story through their eyes.
I think that Mare does a really good job of that with What Lurks Around The Corner. The reader experiences everything and learns about things at the same time as Nick does. It makes everything seem that much more real and exciting.
I think you're right, that writing in first person does help you get a better feel for the character, and you're great at it! So is Mare, definitely. She does such an awesome job with young Nick especially; he is so endearing in her stories.
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I also make sure that the story really does revolve around that person and that he or she can stand on their own before I commit to writing it in first person, because nothing sucks more than starting a story in first person only to realize that the character really isn't all that interesting. *coughlikeforexampleBellainTwilightcough* lol
LOL I just have to point out, not only is Bella ridiculous as a narrator because her first person voice is so NOT the voice of a teenage girl, the way a teenage girl would tell a story, but Stephenie Meyer also made the mistake of not being able to tell the whole story in Bella's POV. The last book randomly switches to Jacob's for a section in the middle, during which Bella has her half-vampire baby, basically dies, and is transformed into a vampire. And then it switches back to Bella's. It's so random, cause the rest of the series is all in Bella's. It's obvious that she got to that whole pregnancy part and thought, "Hm, how can I write this gory birth scene from Bella's POV if Bella is unconscious for it?" So she decided, "Oh, I'll just write it from Jacob's POV and pretend I planned it that way all along! Yay Team Jacob!" FAIL.
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LOL I just have to point out, not only is Bella ridiculous as a narrator because her first person voice is so NOT the voice of a teenage girl, the way a teenage girl would tell a story, but Stephenie Meyer also made the mistake of not being able to tell the whole story in Bella's POV. The last book randomly switches to Jacob's for a section in the middle, during which Bella has her half-vampire baby, basically dies, and is transformed into a vampire. And then it switches back to Bella's. It's so random, cause the rest of the series is all in Bella's. It's obvious that she got to that whole pregnancy part and thought, "Hm, how can I write this gory birth scene from Bella's POV if Bella is unconscious for it?" So she decided, "Oh, I'll just write it from Jacob's POV and pretend I planned it that way all along! Yay Team Jacob!" FAIL.
LMFAO that's so true! See that's an epic example of making sure your story can survive being told from only one POV if you choose to go that way! Otherwise you write yourself into a corner you can't get out of, and if you randomly switch, it's incredibly obvious.
How she ever got that book series published is BEYOND me lol. Good ideas, horrible writing.
I'd like to say Mare, Julie and Steph (Saka) do incredible jobs at writing first person, so if you ever want examples of how to go about it, read their stuff. Like seriously, they really do show what first person can do for a story if written correctly.
Random: I really need to try and catch up on Running Up That Hill
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Thanks guys! I really love writing in first person, I think I stink at third. lol
And Julie, I'd have to say that maybe if Twilight was written in either Edward's POV or third person, I might have enjoyed it a lot more. One of the main reasons I hated that book so much is because of her choosing to showcase Bella to me all it really show cased was her lack of being able to develop a character with any kind if substance! Ugh! Hate it!!! lol
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Thanks guys! I really love writing in first person, I think I stink at third. lol
And Julie, I'd have to say that maybe if Twilight was written in either Edward's POV or third person, I might have enjoyed it a lot more. One of the main reasons I hated that book so much is because of her choosing to showcase Bella to me all it really show cased was her lack of being able to develop a character with any kind if substance! Ugh! Hate it!!! lol
I thought at one point she had written the first book from Edward's POV. I remember half a manuscript got leaked and she ended up posting it on her website because my friend freaked out about it.
I just finished reading the books because I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. And there was no fuss. But Mare, I agree, Edward's POV throughout the entire thing would've been much more substantial.
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I have to agree that I think Stephenie Meyer should've written in Edward's POV or third person. Although I do love those books, I thought the Jacob section in Breaking Dawn was odd considering the rest were from Bella's POV. I hope she carries on with Midnight Sun because I was enjoying it so much more than Twilight!
I also agree that Mare, Julie and Steph write first person very well :)
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Sevily: Love the new update! You know I've read and reviewed...jus t responding to your response. lol. You did a great job. I know you were worried about the unconscious thing but it worked out great. And you'll be able to tell us Nick's side in his story!
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I just realized, I am way less wordy when I write in first person than in third. My chapters in Curtain Call seem so short compared to the chapters for my other stories. I'm not even sticking to one scene per chapter or anything because most of the scenes are only a couple of pages long. I just realized, I think it's because the writing style is different - there's less description, and it's more straightforwar d and right to the point than in my other stories. It makes it shorter. Just an observation!
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^ that is a very true observation in general. I noticed that overall with stories that are in first person as opposed to third. Because you knock out all the unnecessary description it almost helps people from being overly wordy.
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Another flaw of the Twilight series LOL. That doesn't stop Bella from being overly descriptive and wordy.
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Yeah, that Stephanie Myers is incredibly talented lol
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I just realized, I am way less wordy when I write in first person than in third. My chapters in Curtain Call seem so short compared to the chapters for my other stories. I'm not even sticking to one scene per chapter or anything because most of the scenes are only a couple of pages long. I just realized, I think it's because the writing style is different - there's less description, and it's more straightforwar d and right to the point than in my other stories. It makes it shorter. Just an observation!
I find I'm the opposite. I can ramble on and on when it's a person describing in their own words but I'm much more economical in my words in third.
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^I'm the same way. The third person I am very short and to the point, but in first person I just get so into the character that I just go on and on. I find this happens especially when I write Nick's POV because I write him as very random so he goes off on tangents a lot.
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That's true with the tangents. I started another story over the summer in first person that I will hopefully go back to when I'm done with some of these other stories, and it was like that. The first chapter is technically only one scene, but it's like ten pages long, so it doesn't fit with what I just said about Curtain Call at all LOL. I guess it just depends on the characters, too.
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I too find that I'm much less wordy in the first person because I worry about trying to make the character sound realistic. But have my write in the third person and I can describe everything in ornate detail haha
And luna610 - thanks for the feedback! I was really worried about the scene turning into a pile of crap haha
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I'm less wordy in first person too. Because I'm trying not to go too far with description, cause really, people aren't that descriptive lol. But sometimes I do send Nick on tangents too when I write him, I just see him as being that random lol.
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I think it works with Nick because I think he's kind of babbly lol
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I think so too lol. I can just let him ramble for a bit before refocusing.
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God, first person is my best friend. What I found most surprising about it was like it felt as if I was writing from a diary entry. Third is a little more challenging. You have be more general as opposed to first which breaks down the actions and feelings of the character. I can't write actions for the life of me. But normally a lot of my stories don't need a lot of action in the more general sense. I think a lot of first persons tend to be more human stories. Not knocking other stories with different points of view, just saying there's sort of difference IMO. Whether its a comedy, drama, mystery or whatever. Its a selective point of view but I feel like the reader can relate to the story more when the writer injects personality and spunk into the setting. It comes through more clear through the character's thoughts and feelings.
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Let me start off by saying that I suck at first person narration. At least I think I do.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Unless I'm actually writing about myself, I also have the same problem. I've only written one story in FP, and I think the only reason it turned out as well as it did was because I put a lot of effort into getting into the main character's shoes.
I have a hard time showing and not telling.
Of course, that's really the trick, no matter which perspective you take. Your choices of what to show vs tell is also critical in third person, though the dynamics are a lot different. First person does, I must admit, reduce the all-too-common temptation of Third Person (especially Omni) to try to tell too much by narrowing the perspective to the vantage of only one character.
We want to write worlds that we can control. At least in the third person we can, because our characters don't have a mind of their own, we tell them how to feel and what to do.
Hmm... I guess that's not been my experience with Third Person. Sure, back when I started, I tended to treat my characters like video game characters, but after I started taking the time to actually get to know them, they started acting more and more of their own accord, like real people. Even revisiting my old stories, they've developed a tendency to surprise me by doing things their own way.
The difference in challenge is that Third Person is more about observation, whereas First Person is all about looking at the world through that character's eyes and speak with that character's voice. (Which is why I think Third Person works better for me, as it just flows more naturally in my own voice.) My only piece of advice, from my limited experience, is to try to spend a lot of time imagining yourself living the life of your character. The challenge level is often directly proportionate to how well you can relate to and think like your own character.
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My only piece of advice, from my limited experience, is to try to spend a lot of time imagining yourself living the life of your character. The challenge level is often directly proportionate to how well you can relate to and think like your own character.
Knowing your character is really important. Before I write a new character, I write an entire biography and usually will keep a "journal" in that character's perspective for a couple days to build up some backstory and get a feel for how the character acts.
Important to notice too is that every character should have a slightly unique vocabulary. For example, in my fan fics, Nick <i>very rarely</i> will use a big word. When he does, it's usually close-but-not-quite the word he was <i>trying</i> to use, or else someone makes a comment about him using it. Unless I'm trying to make a different perspective on him (like in Time Watcher, where he's actually much older than he appears), that's how Nick rolls. Nick tends to talk more in a sentence, too. He'll ramble. AJ uses a lot of swears - fuck is his favorite - and Brian tends to talk dorky - "ohmigawsh", "heck", etc. Howie and Kevin are my big-word users, because they're older, but Kevin uses more in a single sentence than Howie will use in a whole paragraph.
Stuff like that is really important to capture because no two people - even people who spend a lot of time together - will speak exactly the same way.
But then again, too, because they DO spend a lot of time together, they're also going to speak a little similarly. There's going to be certain phrases and figures of speech that they share - fake words they both use - slang they've picked up from each other, etc.
Tiny little things like that add IMMEASURABLY to the reality of a character whether it's first OR third person. But inner dialogue is really important to pay attention to when you're doing first person, because you HAVE to stick to the same speaking style as they speak aloud with throughout the whole story or it looses its authenticity. Ie., Nick can't be dumb when he talks, but a genius on the inside - unless you have a REASON for that - like he's hiding his inner intelligence.. . *snickers*
That said, I find first person narratives easiest because it lends the most creative opportunity. You guide your reader through this person's world and make them see from a new perspective. IMO, that's the true purpose of literature of any kind. :)
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Love what you just said! That is like crazy good stuff! Wow!
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Love what you just said! That is like crazy good stuff! Wow!
I had a writing professor in my freshman year that pointed out that people can make HUUUGE fact-checking errors and hardly anybody will notice it - but they'll notice if your character is acting "out of character" in a little way like vocabulary or some small detail (i.e., making your character afraid of water but have a scene where they're swimming, stuff like that). The little minute details like that are pose more of a threat to your story's authenticity than the BIG stuff that we all tend to focus on. :)
I really like the idea of that, because entire stories can be built on minute details and so many people overlook those and go whole hog at a big dramatic storyline.
Minute details were one of the major driving points behind my story Something Beautiful. I mean, yes, it had a big overlording storyline, but in the end what was the story really about? It was about Nick and Brian and the connection that exists there. That's what people are meant to come away with. Those minute details could've been set against almost any backdrop -- the storyline wasn't the part that made the story, it was the relationship.. .and that took working with minute details to build. :)
Love, love, love details!
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^ Great advice, and I loved what you said about minute details. I am one of those "big dramatic storyline" people and have had the problem of writing things for the sake of plot that don't fit the characters - having them make decisions and do things they wouldn't really do, just because I liked the idea of where it would take the story. Live and learn... good characters should not be sacrificed for a plot device.
And you're absolutely right that some of the best stories come from some of the smallest moments. I always mention this one, but Mare's "The Importance of Fly Fishing" is another great example of that. And yet, I will always love big dramatic stories too. They still need good characters to back them up, though, or no one will care about the drama.
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LOL Don't get me wrong, I love the big dramatic storylines ,too -- Obviously, my writing reflects that -- but 90% of the story is in the details. That's all I'm saying. :)
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I am one of those "big dramatic storyline" people and have had the problem of writing things for the sake of plot that don't fit the characters - having them make decisions and do things they wouldn't really do, just because I liked the idea of where it would take the story. Live and learn... good characters should not be sacrificed for a plot device.
Agreed. You did a better, clearer, job of summing up what I was talking about in my last post, about treating story characters like video game characters, rather than letting them be themselves and go about things their own way. Dialogue is something I've always had to work hard at, because I've always had a considerable vocabulary, and had to teach myself how not to superimpose that on every character's speaking style. Anymore, I consider it very important to be able to "hear" my character speaking, in his/her own words, to at least some degree before I start writing dialogue for them.
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Important to notice too is that every character should have a slightly unique vocabulary. For example, in my fan fics, Nick <i>very rarely</i> will use a big word. When he does, it's usually close-but-not-quite the word he was <i>trying</i> to use, or else someone makes a comment about him using it. Unless I'm trying to make a different perspective on him (like in Time Watcher, where he's actually much older than he appears), that's how Nick rolls. Nick tends to talk more in a sentence, too. He'll ramble. AJ uses a lot of swears - fuck is his favorite - and Brian tends to talk dorky - "ohmigawsh", "heck", etc. Howie and Kevin are my big-word users, because they're older, but Kevin uses more in a single sentence than Howie will use in a whole paragraph.
Though you've obviously chosen to stay as close to what you believe to be canon these same rules apply for those who write AU also.
Your AU characters will be completely convincing (even though they'd traditionally be considered out of character) as long as you mind the details and be consistent through the story. You can believe Nick as a doctor, or a scientist as long as he maintains the same qualities throughout. (Even writing this made me laugh. A doctor lol)
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Though you've obviously chosen to stay as close to what you believe to be canon these same rules apply for those who write AU also.
Your AU characters will be completely convincing (even though they'd traditionally be considered out of character) as long as you mind the details and be consistent through the story. You can believe Nick as a doctor, or a scientist as long as he maintains the same qualities throughout. (Even writing this made me laugh. A doctor lol)
:o Nick? A doctor? Dude, unless he's an OB-GYN I don't wanna go anywhere NEAR that hospital... LOL
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Word.
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That said, you're right it's true for AU too. Nick's vocabulary and tiny details would have to be MASSIVELY well researched for him to be convincing as a doctor. LOL... But yes, it's very true. Characters even in OF need to be "in character" to be convincing. And it sooo happens even to the best of them. I've seen some REALLY good books where the author had a character step out of character and I thought it was going to lead to a major plot twist and either they missed the excellent opportunity to throw in the unexpected OR they completely missed the detail. It makes a really good book/fiction go down hill south (for me). Movies, too!
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Unless he's an obgyn.... Lmfao!!!!!!!