Several social media posts recently have caught my attention from people who are dismissive of first-person narratives, unless, of course, the book is an autobiography or a memoir. One person wrote I have trouble getting into first-person present tense stories. Each one so far feels like they chose 1st person present in order to immerse the reader but it's so cheap. 3rd person limited past tense all the way for me. Another asked, Am I the only person who despises first-person narratives?
It’s sometimes difficult to determine if it’s the first-person point of view or the use of present tense that distresses some readers. I, of course, have my own opinion about the use of first person and present tense. Instead of dismissing them in general, I base my opinion on the individual books. Writing in first person as well as writing in present tense can be tricky. Some books I’ve read succeed. Others don’t.
There are many more highly successful books in first person than you may think. In my research on this subject, I encountered an article by Diane Callahan that covers the topic much better that I could. If this is something about which you’re interested in learning more, click on The Complete Guide to Writing Fiction in First Person at this link: https://medium.com/swlh/the-complete-guide-to-writing-fiction-in-first-person-d1aedc104cab
Whether you're a reader or a writer, do you have a bias?
It’s sometimes difficult to determine if it’s the first-person point of view or the use of present tense that distresses some readers. I, of course, have my own opinion about the use of first person and present tense. Instead of dismissing them in general, I base my opinion on the individual books. Writing in first person as well as writing in present tense can be tricky. Some books I’ve read succeed. Others don’t.
There are many more highly successful books in first person than you may think. In my research on this subject, I encountered an article by Diane Callahan that covers the topic much better that I could. If this is something about which you’re interested in learning more, click on The Complete Guide to Writing Fiction in First Person at this link: https://medium.com/swlh/the-complete-guide-to-writing-fiction-in-first-person-d1aedc104cab
Whether you're a reader or a writer, do you have a bias?
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