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August 26, 2012
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Replies: 77

Which is better? 1st person or 3rd person?

Forums > Art Related > Literature
:iconwwhulk12:
~wwhulk12 Aug 26, 2012
Most of the stories I write, I have more than one character point of view. And it's hard to do that when it's 1st person. So is it just me or is it easier to write 3rd person.
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:icondjinnkitty:
~Djinnkitty Oct 7, 2012  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Each comes with its own difficulties and benefits. First person, one of the big problems you'll run into is readers sometimes tend to assume that the first-person voice is also the author's voice, which means you'll either have to be very careful about what sorts of views and beliefs your viewpoint character has, or be skilled enough that readers can immediately and naturally go, 'Ah, that's a character in the story and not an author-mouthpiece". Done right, first-person is second to none at putting readers inside a particular character's head, and if transitions between multiple first-person viewpoints is done right, each character's limited perception of the world around them, coloured by their own beliefs and prejudices, can be played off each other to incredible effect.

Third person is arguably easier to do multiple-viewpoints from. As long as you make it clear which person you're looking over the shoulder from, you can write out what they perceive without necessarily delving into the inner-workings of their psyche. This gives a bit more flexibility because you can have them act and react to things without necessarily explaining each inch of their reasoning behind it, which makes it easier to switch from viewpoint character to viewpoint character because you don't have to shift completely from psyche to psyche.
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:iconakky3210:
~akky3210 Oct 7, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
I'm really weird--my current longest piece, at 20,000 words, is written in third person, present tense, which you never ever see on the markets. But that's why I like it.

I find my POV choice impulsive for each new work I start up. If I start writing and third person fits better, then I use third person, and the same with first person. There's no tried and true method, unfortunately. :shrug:
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:iconglassshields:
~GlassShields Oct 7, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
Like a lot of other people have said, it depends on the story. Personally, I prefer first person because I find it easier to relate to the character and empathize if it's in first person. It helps to see the character as a person, I think. But third person can work just as well.
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:iconkinola14:
~Kinola14 Oct 7, 2012
I say 3rd person is better.
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:iconbattlebrothertherix:
=battlebrothertherix Oct 7, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
You probably already hear that no persona area is better from most people, but I write stories and you can put both 1st and 3rd person in a story. Stories generally act as accounts, therefore you are going over things and considering how someone thought and felt at the time. Take a look at All's End, the story I'm writing, it's probably a good example.
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:iconplayerground:
~playerground Oct 3, 2012
Primera persona...
Así son más ricos e intenso los pensamientos del personaje que cuenta la historia.
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:iconmityh:
~MiTYH Oct 2, 2012
Like others have said, totally depends on the story you want. I've got two works right now, one's 3rd and one's 1st. The 3rd involves multiple characters (though mainly focuses on one) and I can bounce around in their heads at times, but like I said, mainly goes into on person's head, but tells the story of everyone.

The 1st person one has a lot of internal monologue and thoughts. Originally it started in 3rd, but I changed it after a few chapters and am really liking it now
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:iconsatchen:
~Satchen Oct 1, 2012  Student Writer
I believe it really depends on the context of the story. Usually, if I'm trying to write a story solely for the purpose of entertaining, I prefer writing in third person. These kinds of stories I try to imagine myself telling the story in front of a group of people. If I want to convey a message or moral, I prefer first person because it engaging and it helps connect the reader to the main character.
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:iconzurthuryx:
~Zurthuryx Sep 30, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
I, Zürthüryx Hemtolig Qosdarlu, and my co-forger Thejyreq Vazgothicus Ldeikone's series "Darkquisition" is written in third-person. We chose this because we have six main characters so it'd be easier to write that way. It also makes it a little different. Most of the other books we've seen and read are in first-person. The third-person point-of-view may take away some of personal touch that first-person one offers, but it makes it play out more like a movie or TV show. You don’t feel like you’re taking on the role of the character and experiencing the events firsthand. Instead, you feel like you’re observing the character and the events.
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:iconcaptbuck98:
~CaptBuck98 Sep 28, 2012  Hobbyist Writer
Depends on what your trying to get out of it. Changing from 1st to 3rd person can effect the emotion of the story, more passion for the character. You want the reader to get interested in the characters and setting. Niether is better, it all about preference and the mood of the story, simply put:)
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