One of the most popular POVs in modern literature is the first-person POV. A first person POV is written using first person pronouns (I, me, my). The narrator is always a character in the story. Usually, the protagonist narrates the story, but, sometimes, the story is narrated by a minor character, such as Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes or Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. This type of narrator is called the first person peripheral POV.
Because the narrator is a character in the story – whether it’s the main character or a minor character – you will need to create a unique voice for that character using appropriate word choice and syntax. If you are writing from more than one POV, you need to create unique, distinct voices for each character.
Many first person narratives are told from the perspective of an older version of the narrator, who is reminiscing about their life, so the books are written in the past tense. However, present tense first person POVs are becoming more popular, especially in YA fiction, but the standard for adult fiction is still past tense.
Advantages of the First Person POV
First person narratives often feel the most natural way to tell a story because that is how we tell stories about what happens in our lives. And, since we all have experience telling stories, first person POV is usually the easiest for new writers to maintain.
Readers experience every thought and emotion with the character, so the first person POV is the most immediate and intimate POV. This is why many YA novels are written from the first person POV because it allows the reader to form a close bond with the protagonist and that’s what this audience is often looking for.
Disadvantages of the First Person POV
Unfortunately, despite its advantages, first person POVs do have many disadvantages. First person POV narrows your story’s scope because you can only write what one character knows, sees, hears, smells and experiences. This limits your ability to explore other characters or subplots. It’s also difficult to create suspense by keeping information from readers; if your protagonist knows something, your readers will too (unless your narrator is unreliable).
When writing in the first person, you need to create a unique and engaging voice. This can be hard if your viewpoint character is different from you, and, if you don’t master this voice, your readers will stop reading.
Finally, some readers just hate first person POVs, no matter how well-written it might be. First person narratives often come across as self-absorbed and egotistical. Nobody objects to third-person narratives.
Conclusion
First person POVs are incredibly popular because they allow the reader to develop an intimate relationship with the protagonist and they are easier for writers to maintain. However, they are not without issue, often being viewed as self-absorbed and annoying. Think carefully about using first person POV because you may put someone off your book simply by using it.
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