Camy's Thang!!!

Dear Brian-Addled Emu:I find third person ever so much easier than first person. Beat your head on the wall a few times, and you'll see I'm right.LoveRaccoon

Dearest Raccoon,Now my head hurts.LoveEmu

One usually has a painful head after dealing with the masked critter.My take on writing in first or third is, it really isn't easier in one than the one, but it sure is different. Third is harder to get started writing in, but after you've done it a few times, it's just as easy as first. And it does allow you to do things you can't do in first, so is a little more powerful a tool.The feel of the story is much different depending on which you use. I let that dictate to me. If I need the thoughts of two different characters in the story, or if I need to have events happening that the main character cannot be aware of, then I write in third. I guess what I'm saying is, I let the story decide for me as to what voice I write in.I think first person gets the reader closer to the characters, and so I like it for that reason alone. But again, after you've written in both, one isn't necessarily easier than the other. It just feels that way at first.C

I guess I'm finding third person difficult because I'm relatively new to it. There are quite a few stories written in the first, where the point of view changes character with every chapter. But, it's supposed to be a bad way to write. Like starting a sentence with a conjunction!

Conjunction juntion! Choo choo!:)I like third person. I find it hard to write in first... I can't write anything in first without it sounding corny. So yeah... <-- jealousMaddy (:

.... it's supposed to be a bad way to write. Like starting a sentence with a conjunction!

But, that's just not true.

the major rule in writing fiction is, there are no rules.believe it!C

the major rule in writing fiction is, there are no rules.believe it!C

Are you swinging a little crystal pendulum?

Naaaa. I'm not into kinky stuff.C

the major rule in writing fiction is, there are no rules.

Oh I'm quite sure there are plenty of rules, but:* They're not what the books say they are.* Sometimes what gets called a rule is really a guideline.* If breaking a rule makes a better sentence, it probably wasn't a rule - just someone's opinion.* They change all the time with the rest of language.* There are some occasions where what you're trying to write doesn't yet have clear rules - and by writing you're helping to make them clearer.And finally:* There is a difference between rules and personal style. Some teachers of writing get confused about the difference.

the major rule in writing fiction is, there are no rules.

Oh I'm quite sure there are plenty of rules, but:* They're not what the books say they are.* Sometimes what gets called a rule is really a guideline.* If breaking a rule makes a better sentence, it probably wasn't a rule - just someone's opinion.* They change all the time with the rest of language.* There are some occasions where what you're trying to write doesn't yet have clear rules - and by writing you're helping to make them clearer.And finally:* There is a difference between rules and personal style. Some teachers of writing get confused about the difference.

You, sir, are talking my language!!!c

I despise most stories that are written in the first person...There are a few that I find are exceptional but usually...I don't even read past the first paragraph.Whether or not it's my own personal opinion, again most first person narratives are poorly written. I've always believed that the author should show you character instead of telling you character. And this is the mistake that most first person narratives make, they tell instead of showing. Then again, I've been wrong so many times in my life....Jason