Comments on: My First Novel Question: Multiple First Person Narrators http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/ Writing and Reading. Commerce and Art. Fantasy and Science Fiction. Discuss. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:24:06 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Rebecca http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-12957 Rebecca Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:42:46 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-12957 Carol, Thank you so much for your reply. It was much appreciated. I have made sure the narrator is known as soon as possible, and I think I repeat some of a scene only once. I was beginning to doubt myself, and consider a rewrite in third person but I think I will keep it as is. (Its already at 32 chapters, so thats a huge job) It needs some revisions, but I think the story is good, always something happening, never a dull moment. lol Blessings Rebecca Carol,

Thank you so much for your reply. It was much appreciated.
I have made sure the narrator is known as soon as possible, and I think I repeat some of a scene only once. I was beginning to doubt myself, and consider a rewrite in third person but I think I will keep it as is. (Its already at 32 chapters, so thats a huge job) It needs some revisions, but I think the story is good, always something happening, never a dull moment. lol

Blessings
Rebecca

]]> By: Carol Berg http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-12852 Carol Berg Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:55:21 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-12852 Rebecca, There is no reason not to use secondary characters as first person narrators, certainly if they have an interesting perspective to bring to the story. The main things are - to keep clear who is speaking (as you've said you've done) - to avoid unnecessary repetition; that is, it's cool to see a certain action from multiple perspectives, but each telling should bring something new to the reader - make sure the jumps are not too jarring for the reader (ie. too frequent, too manipulative, as in always switching just at a cliffhanger, or unnecessary); For now, write your story the way it's unfolding to you. You have all of revision to perfect it. Have fun! Carol Rebecca,

There is no reason not to use secondary characters as first person narrators, certainly if they have an interesting perspective to bring to the story. The main things are
– to keep clear who is speaking (as you’ve said you’ve done)
– to avoid unnecessary repetition; that is, it’s cool to see a certain action from multiple perspectives, but each telling should bring something new to the reader
– make sure the jumps are not too jarring for the reader (ie. too frequent, too manipulative, as in always switching just at a cliffhanger, or unnecessary);

For now, write your story the way it’s unfolding to you. You have all of revision to perfect it.

Have fun!
Carol

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-12851 Rebecca Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:14:25 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-12851 I am so glad I found this page in my hunt for answers. I am attempting to write my first novel, and decided to narrate it in first person however, I have more than one narrator. I use two main characters, and two others who narrate when I need them too. I am not sure if this is even allowed, or acceptable at all. I have made sure the change is only on chapter breaks, and that its clear very soon who is now speaking. I am quite a ways through the story and now am doubting my decision and wonder if anyone had any advice for me? :) Its a fantasy story, with a lot of characters. I have enjoyed it but in my hope to publish someday, I am in search for some answers. Thanks Rebecca I am so glad I found this page in my hunt for answers. I am attempting to write my first novel, and decided to narrate it in first person however, I have more than one narrator. I use two main characters, and two others who narrate when I need them too. I am not sure if this is even allowed, or acceptable at all. I have made sure the change is only on chapter breaks, and that its clear very soon who is now speaking. I am quite a ways through the story and now am doubting my decision and wonder if anyone had any advice for me? :)

Its a fantasy story, with a lot of characters. I have enjoyed it but in my hope to publish someday, I am in search for some answers.

Thanks
Rebecca

]]> By: Tom http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-11116 Tom Thu, 21 May 2009 12:07:49 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-11116 When I was in school they taught us to srite in the first person. We studied the use of the third (and second) person, but as far as creative writing went it was first person all the way. Sine then I've always found that whenever I write in the first person it comes across forced, and almost childish in style. So, I tend to write in the third person. Recently though I have been working on a novella, which I've put in the first person. I was wondering how I'd managed to pull that off until I realised that it was the character. My narrator has the right personality for first person to work with my writing style: he's angsty, has lots of academic knowledge but no practical experience, that kind of thing. I've also got a slightly non-linear structure which is letting me show off bits of his background immediately before they become relevant to the plot, without being too obvious about it, so it's clear that he's not always a reliable narrator, and why, but not nessecarily in what way he's unreliable. The whole thing is a bit experimental for me, so it's going to have to go through several rounds of redrafting I think. The characters voices are too simmilar, there are big sections of exposition which could be better done as dialog, and some sections of dialog which are boring and could be better summarised. I think I've been a bit too verbose in places. The general shape of it works though, the characters personalities are distinct and interesting, and mysterious in some cases because my narrator doesn't always understand them. I've also found it easier to play with the relationships between characters, because I can have my narrator worry more convincingly about what others think of him. Anyway, that's what I've recently learned about the first person: with the right structure and the right narrator it can be as powerful and sophisticated as the third person. Tom When I was in school they taught us to srite in the first person. We studied the use of the third (and second) person, but as far as creative writing went it was first person all the way.

Sine then I’ve always found that whenever I write in the first person it comes across forced, and almost childish in style. So, I tend to write in the third person.

Recently though I have been working on a novella, which I’ve put in the first person. I was wondering how I’d managed to pull that off until I realised that it was the character. My narrator has the right personality for first person to work with my writing style: he’s angsty, has lots of academic knowledge but no practical experience, that kind of thing. I’ve also got a slightly non-linear structure which is letting me show off bits of his background immediately before they become relevant to the plot, without being too obvious about it, so it’s clear that he’s not always a reliable narrator, and why, but not nessecarily in what way he’s unreliable.

The whole thing is a bit experimental for me, so it’s going to have to go through several rounds of redrafting I think. The characters voices are too simmilar, there are big sections of exposition which could be better done as dialog, and some sections of dialog which are boring and could be better summarised. I think I’ve been a bit too verbose in places.

The general shape of it works though, the characters personalities are distinct and interesting, and mysterious in some cases because my narrator doesn’t always understand them. I’ve also found it easier to play with the relationships between characters, because I can have my narrator worry more convincingly about what others think of him.

Anyway, that’s what I’ve recently learned about the first person: with the right structure and the right narrator it can be as powerful and sophisticated as the third person.

Tom

]]> By: Carol Berg http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-10729 Carol Berg Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:40:07 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-10729 Bonnie, Write the story the way it feels right. Despite what others say, third person is <i>not</i> always the best way to tell a story. Nor is it necessarily the best for a first time author. Publishers don't care about first person or third person. They want great stories with unique, compelling voices. Yes, doing first person right is tough. But writing with a unique, compelling voice is tough! Write it. Read it. Revise it until it works, keeping in mind the pitfalls of first person, as well as all the other important pieces of craft you have learned along the way. Maybe that will eventually mean putting it in third person. Maybe not. Revision is your ally. Just as critique is your ally. But for now, don't be scared off of doing what feels right by worrying about what publishers or bloggers or commenters want. Good luck. Have fun. Go write! Carol Bonnie,

Write the story the way it feels right. Despite what others say, third person is not always the best way to tell a story. Nor is it necessarily the best for a first time author.

Publishers don’t care about first person or third person. They want great stories with unique, compelling voices. Yes, doing first person right is tough. But writing with a unique, compelling voice is tough!

Write it. Read it. Revise it until it works, keeping in mind the pitfalls of first person, as well as all the other important pieces of craft you have learned along the way. Maybe that will eventually mean putting it in third person. Maybe not. Revision is your ally. Just as critique is your ally. But for now, don’t be scared off of doing what feels right by worrying about what publishers or bloggers or commenters want.

Good luck. Have fun. Go write!

Carol

]]> By: Bonnie http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-10708 Bonnie Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:24:32 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-10708 I am working on my first novel. It’s a sci-fi novel written in the 1st person. I have gone back and forth which POV to use, but I always come back to 1st person. The reason I think the story works better in the 1st person is b/c the novel is based on actual events that occurred in my childhood. I have read several posts and most agree that third person is the best, however, when I change it, my story changes from what I imagined. I am torn on what perspective to write in. Most posts say that it’s difficult to write in 1st person, but it’s not been difficult for me (so far). Do publishers prefer 1st or 3rd?? I am working on my first novel. It’s a sci-fi novel written in the 1st person. I have gone back and forth which POV to use, but I always come back to 1st person. The reason I think the story works better in the 1st person is b/c the novel is based on actual events that occurred in my childhood.

I have read several posts and most agree that third person is the best, however, when I change it, my story changes from what I imagined. I am torn on what perspective to write in. Most posts say that it’s difficult to write in 1st person, but it’s not been difficult for me (so far).

Do publishers prefer 1st or 3rd??

]]> By: Iffix Y Santaph http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-4976 Iffix Y Santaph Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:25:28 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-4976 I just completed my own space odyssey adventure bouncing from multiple first persons. My first experience as a writer was with first-person, when I was very young. I made a transition to third person as my writing style developed. As such, I began writing this story in third-person, and after several months, found my writing going nowhere. Then I stepped back into first person, which was quite an easy transition, and used multiple-first-person view to add depth to the story. Most every chapter is written by a different character with a new voice. Some are very straight-laced. Some are comical. And it was very enjoyable to see how each interacted, to see into their minds. Especially as each was so uniquely different. And they've all become very real in my mind. I definitely stress that it is very critical to develop different voices for your characters, and keep them straight. If one character speaks like a pirate, he shouldn't speak well-pronounced English in the next chapter in which he is featured, something I've found myself doing on more than one occasion. It's easy to lose yourself; compare passages by the character to be his writing is consistent. I used the premise that these characters were actually telling each other the story with instant messaging devices, which seemed to fit well with this type of story. I found this style to be more challenging, toward the end of the novel, as one of my major characters needed to write a scene, being the only one able to see what he saw, but would wind up dead (supposedly) by the end of the scene. A bit of ingenuity, and I pulled it out of my hat. I think it turned out well. I'm hoping Tor agrees. My project has only just begun. I plan to write many more volumes. And it is very exciting to see others who are using this style as well. I just completed my own space odyssey adventure bouncing from multiple first persons.
My first experience as a writer was with first-person, when I was very young. I made a transition to third person as my writing style developed. As such, I began writing this story in third-person, and after several months, found my writing going nowhere. Then I stepped back into first person, which was quite an easy transition, and used multiple-first-person view to add depth to the story.
Most every chapter is written by a different character with a new voice. Some are very straight-laced. Some are comical. And it was very enjoyable to see how each interacted, to see into their minds. Especially as each was so uniquely different. And they’ve all become very real in my mind.
I definitely stress that it is very critical to develop different voices for your characters, and keep them straight. If one character speaks like a pirate, he shouldn’t speak well-pronounced English in the next chapter in which he is featured, something I’ve found myself doing on more than one occasion. It’s easy to lose yourself; compare passages by the character to be his writing is consistent.
I used the premise that these characters were actually telling each other the story with instant messaging devices, which seemed to fit well with this type of story.
I found this style to be more challenging, toward the end of the novel, as one of my major characters needed to write a scene, being the only one able to see what he saw, but would wind up dead (supposedly) by the end of the scene. A bit of ingenuity, and I pulled it out of my hat. I think it turned out well. I’m hoping Tor agrees.
My project has only just begun. I plan to write many more volumes. And it is very exciting to see others who are using this style as well.

]]> By: molly http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-4975 molly Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:00:36 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-4975 I am in the process of writing a novel I have started and stopped working on over the last 20 years or so. I finally find I have the time and decided to begin re-writing it and plan to use the foreign to me technique of first person. I took a paragraph and in third it's not as descriptive as in first, so that pleased me. In third person it was a mere description of what occurred, but in first I was able to add more from the character. I have always used third person, so this is not only new and different, I have noticed it more in the books I have previously read now I have been made aware of it. molly I am in the process of writing a novel I have started and stopped working on over the last 20 years or so. I finally find I have the time and decided to begin re-writing it and plan to use the foreign to me technique of first person.
I took a paragraph and in third it’s not as descriptive as in first, so that pleased me. In third person it was a mere description of what occurred, but in first I was able to add more from the character.
I have always used third person, so this is not only new and different, I have noticed it more in the books I have previously read now I have been made aware of it.
molly

]]> By: Anthony http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-4974 Anthony Fri, 27 Jul 2007 18:21:10 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-4974 One of the absolute best examples of a brilliant first person is The Contortionist's Handbook by Clive Clevenger. I don't know that I've ever seen it done better. One of the absolute best examples of a brilliant first person is The Contortionist’s Handbook by Clive Clevenger. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it done better.

]]> By: Adam http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators/comment-page-1/#comment-4973 Adam Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:35:47 +0000 http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/carolberg/craft/storytelling/my-first-novel-question-multiple-first-person-narrators#comment-4973 Hi, I am doing a short story and while I have no wish to give away my highly marketable plot (lol) I have a question with regard POV. In the story my main protagonist is able to see through others eyes and hear their thoughts. It will ease into multiple narrators, but one in third and one in first. This means that although it's a different POV, its a constant connection. I want it to be sort of in the background until some thing specific happens. Is it ok to do this change of POV such: (this is just an example!) Bill lifted the coffee pot and poured himself a healthy cup. <em>..did he look? I thought he did. Maybe if I pretend to be interested in this lampshade...yes, he looked again..No, it's too much, I'll have to go or I'll start blushing and..</em> Bill shook his head in annoyance. Why couldn't she just ask him out? God, she was becoming annoying. He sat down and ate his sandwich. Does that read right or is there a better way of doing it? Using italics makes it obvious but it should probably be obvious without them. Any help would be great. Adam Hi,

I am doing a short story and while I have no wish to give away my highly marketable plot (lol) I have a question with regard POV.

In the story my main protagonist is able to see through others eyes and hear their thoughts. It will ease into multiple narrators, but one in third and one in first. This means that although it’s a different POV, its a constant connection. I want it to be sort of in the background until some thing specific happens.

Is it ok to do this change of POV such:

(this is just an example!)

Bill lifted the coffee pot and poured himself a healthy cup.

..did he look? I thought he did. Maybe if I pretend to be interested in this lampshade…yes, he looked again..No, it’s too much, I’ll have to go or I’ll start blushing and..

Bill shook his head in annoyance.
Why couldn’t she just ask him out? God, she was becoming annoying.
He sat down and ate his sandwich.

Does that read right or is there a better way of doing it? Using italics makes it obvious but it should probably be obvious without them.

Any help would be great.

Adam

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