It literally just dawned on me as I was reading something in first person. Just now. Like I’m not reading a book in first as we speak but that’s besides the point. Sometimes things take a little while for me.
I don’t like using first person POV because, reading it, it sounds absolutely ridiculous. When I snap into writer mode, I’m looking at first person and going, is that how the character is really thinking? “Sun rays danced across the ground like faeries in a circle.” Really? If I think that way then I can’t help but think of the Family Guy episode where Peter narrates his own life. Equally as ridiculous.
If it’s not thought presently but maybe the MC relaying information after the fact, then they really talk like that? Really? Star-freckled skies? Really?
It just doesn’t make sense to me. First person is as intimate as you can get with a character. You’re literally inside their brains as they’re going through the story. When they’re going through the actions, do they really think all of that in such a verbose way? Really?
When I snap out of writer mode, it’s fine and some damn good writing. Of course I can read through it just fine. But writer mode keeps poking through the screen going WTF?!
Maybe I’m being way too technical here. First person is inside the character’s head. In the character’s voice. Sometimes I can’t help but think what pretentious asses characters are when they spout off internally like that. At the same time the same thing could be said for third person limited. Sort of. You’re not in the head there. More like on it. Same character voice but you’re not squishing the brain.
I mean, dialogue is one thing but when people shut their mouths, you have to wonder what’s running through their heads and if it’s anywhere near as loquacious as some of these first person narratives make them out to be. I have a hard time believing they all are but writers have to stretch their creative fingers somehow, right? I just have a hard time believing even fictional characters are running that high all the time.
When I read first person, I usually assume that the narrator is writing about things after the fact, allowing room for prettiful descriptions that are no where close to how anybody actually thinks in real life.
Which is probably why I usually don’t like first person present tense.
I read a lot of first person in diary form or like Sonja said in first person past tense. It does make it easier to read.
I’m currently writing a novel in first person but it is proving surprisingly difficult. I’m thinking rewriting it into third. I think I’m in the dreaded first person present tense.
Glad I’m not the only one that reads this stuff like this. My default is third limited (which I think is pretty common) but every once in a while I’ll get the urge to write something in first, but it’s usually past tense. I can’t imagine writing in present! My most recent experiment I started writing in first because it commanded it and then maybe a couple thousand words in it switched to third limited. Way to tease, man.
Seems to be a problem of voice, or at least that the character doesn’t stick to it. If the voice is not genuine then it is going to pull you out of the story regardless of pov. That is a problem you often noted on your YA reviews.
Most 1st person reads like after-the-fact pseudo-diary or autobiographical musings, and I’m fine with that. When I write, sometimes I hear the narrator talking in first person and so that’s just how it comes out. As a reader I like first person because it feels as if the character is speaking directly to you, a person telling you about their life, rather than some all-knowing godlike narrator spying on people’s thoughts. Not that I don’t like third person (especially when it comes to stories that use multiple character PoVs) but I’ve never agreed with what I’ve read at times about there being no real reason to use first person and that third person is just as intimate.
As far as prettiful writing, I’d be going WTF? at “star-freckled sky” and dancing faerie sunbeams no matter what the PoV.
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