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Scifi and Fantasy Forum: Writer's Discussion: Guidelines for Writing:
1st Person Vs 3rd Person
1st Person Vs 3rd Person
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Posted By:  woody000 Jan 24, 2005 - 06:12 am |       | I think ANYTHING can work if done properly =p
Doesn't sound like I have anything to worry about then. For the first chapter, I follow my main character but talk about the emotions of the two main characters. Later on, most of the time I stick to the main character, with the occasional movement into the thoughts of others, but I only really do it when it feels right, when I feel as though we need to know what someone else is thinking. My instincts were probably right then. It always worrys me though, when someone starts talking about something I hadn't even considered before, when I had just gone with the flow in that sense, I guess that's part of what it means to be just starting to write full novels... a learning experience.
| Posted By: Magus Jan 24, 2005 - 03:50 pm | | Where'd you hear that, cleasterwood?
Personaly, if you switch POV's you should try to do it at given breaks. Use chapters to switch or, as I like to do and see done a lot, use sub chapters to switch. That should work well enough.
| Posted By: Aldan Jan 24, 2005 - 07:44 pm | | IMO, when you bounce from head to head, it will lessen the ability for the reader to really GET TO KNOW your individual characters. However, if your writing skill is high enough, and you can create that intimate connection with the reader for each unique personality, then you can be successful at it. However, that is quite difficult to do...
Magus,
I meant switch from 1st person to 3rd during the course of the story. I should have clarified that. 
Aldan,
I know that's what they say about head-hopping but I think if you study the modern classics that hop from head to head, I mean really study them, then you learn how to head-hop effectively. Personally, I think you can get into the character more if you can pull off a head-hop right. Although difficult, I must admit I learned the hard way how difficult it was, you can do it successfully. I've workshopped the heck out of Ra's Warrior and tweaked all the POV problems because the site I'm on gives good, solid critiques and there are a lot of published authors who frequent the site that have helped me do it well by leading me in the right direction. I've also read many articles, books on how to head hop successfully.
I was once told if you want to be a best seller, you must emmulate what a best-selling author does. I strive to keep that as my writing motto. I study the way the masters do it, which helps as well. Writers like Rice, Asimove, Eddings, Stephen King, Robin Cook, not to mention others who head-hop and do it well are the ones I pay close attention to because I want to be effective at it.
Oh, anyone who is interested, I would like to offer a free copy of my first novel, Ra's Warrior, in exchange for a written review. If you'd like to read it, please ask and I will give you a link so you can download it.
| Posted By: Magus Jan 25, 2005 - 12:14 pm | | I should hope that you take Tolkien into acount as well. The Lord of the Rings is the second most read book in the history of literature. The only one to top it is the Bible.
Magus,
That's a given my friend.
| Posted By: Suede Jan 26, 2005 - 08:19 am | | Cleasterwood, may I have a copy of "Ra's Warrior".
I used to switch from 3rd person to 1st person like it was going out of business when I was younger, whether I was writing a story or a piece of description. It helped me to practise writing in the 3rd tense, then to write a different piece in the 1st tense. As it is, 3rd is my strongest, because I use it most often. But I'm trying a new story out, which will be solely in 1st.
It would be my pleasure Suede. Your email is listed on your profile so I'll send you the download address. When you click the link it will automatically ask you to save. I look forward to your opinion.
| Posted By: BenJaru Jan 27, 2005 - 05:18 pm | | May I read your book too, cleasterwood? 
What kind of review do you want? This may sound dumb...
Do you want a Review or a Critique? I will assume that you mean review... Can't wait to read your story!
BenJaru
| Posted By: Magus Jan 27, 2005 - 05:44 pm | | I'd ask too, but I did this with Gnollslayer and I just can't find the time to read it, really. The last time I checked the one I have of his is out of date and I haven't read to much of it. I wish there was more time in the day... or something.
| Posted By: Suede Jan 27, 2005 - 07:25 pm | | I got your email, when I finish reading it I will give you a review
| Posted By: BenJaru Jan 27, 2005 - 09:20 pm | | Issue pending... I hope!
Fairion
BenJaru,
I will send it to the email you have listed on in your profile. No problem. I've gotten plenty of critiques on the story and have polished it accordingly. I prefer a review as it is a final draft and won't be changed until/unless the editors want it done. I ran it through the spellchecker but as we all know Word and Corel don't always catch everything. What it really needs is a thorough edit, but I have a local friend who is a school teacher and she's going to do that for me. I still haven't figured out where I want the reviews posted but I'm thinking of adding a guestbook section on my site for it or possibly a forum. I'm still working on that.
Magus,
It's okay, you can pay for a copy when it comes out. Just kidding. Whenever you find the time or just want to read it, let me know and I'll send it.
| Posted By: Magus Jan 28, 2005 - 10:01 am | | 
You be sure to tell me when it does. I'll pay the money for it, because I doubt I'll have the time to get it for free.
| Posted By: Middy03 Feb 20, 2005 - 08:49 pm | | Hello this is Suede my username got messed up again so I changed it back to Middy. After everyone's help and suggestion, I finally finished the Introduction and the first three chapters of my book. I posted up my Introduction "Prince of Paladins" I just wanted to know could everyone check it out and tell me what you think. This is the first book I did in third person so if I messed up let me know.
| Posted By: aldan Feb 21, 2005 - 12:43 am | | What sort of third person did you use? See previous posts on this topic if you're unsure (that way you can get REALLY confused!!) about what sort you did use.
| Posted By: Magus Feb 21, 2005 - 07:05 am | | It seems that you used omniscient, right?
I think you need more showing and less telling, make it a more personal story for readers.
| Posted By: Middy03 Feb 22, 2005 - 08:23 am | | Omniscient is what I tried to use, but I'm going to rewrite my Introduction/prolgue and have it posted soon.
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