Should you write your story in the first person (writing as if you are the character, using I, me, my) or in the third person (writing about the character, using their name)?
There's no "right" answer, but here are a few questions to ask to help you decide.
Which Comes Naturally to Me as a
Writer?
Some writers love to take on the voice of a character, crafting wonderful first person narratives that stay firmly rooted in that person's head.
Other writers prefer the slightly more
detached third person perspective, perhaps shifting between different characters' points of view.
Personally, my novels and most of my short stories are written in the third person: for me, it's the most natural fit. But you might find that the first person comes most easily to you.
What's the Convention in My Genre?
Some genres pretty much require a first person (or third person) narrative. Switching this up would be distinctly unexpected, and could impact your book's marketability.
Most romance subgenres, for instance, are written from the "I" perspective of the female heroine.
Most historical fiction is written from a third person perspective.
Of course, you'll find exceptions ... but all else being equal, it's best to fit in with your genre's conventions.
Which Feels Like the Right Fit for My Story?
What if you're equally happy writing both first and third person, and your genre has a good balance of books with each of those perspectives?
Then it really comes down to what seems to fit your story. Do you want the intimacy and strongly voiced prose of first person or the greater
distance and flexibility of third person?
It's also worth keeping in mind that some readers find first person irritating (it's definitely a more divisive choice than third person), so third person is generally a good, safe option!
Struggling to Decide? Draft Both Ways
Obviously, you won't want to write a whole novel from both the first and third person perspectives ... but you could definitely try out a scene written both ways.
Which flows better for you? Which do you feel reads better? Which seems like the best option for the story you're trying to tell?
For more thoughts on viewpoint, you might like to take a look at these posts on the
Aliventures blog:
