What Perspective Should You Write From?

First lets discuss perspective

• First-Person: Written as “I” or “my” story. 
• Second-Person: Written as “you” or “your” story (I very rarely come across stories like this)
• Third-Person Objective: Written as “his” or “her” story and does not reveal any character’s thoughts or feelings.  Characters may reveal their feelings through actions or dialogue. (Again, this is something I've read very little of)
• Third-Person Limited: Written as “his” or “her” story and reveals one character’s thoughts or feelings. (This, in my experience, is the most commonly used Third Person)
• Third-Person Omniscient: Written as “his” or “her” story and reveals more than one character’s thoughts or feelings. (This may become confusing for the reader to follow so must be done carefully)

(If you are unsure you fully grasp what perspective really means, look over the glossary again then pick up several different books and identify which perspective it is written in after reading the first paragraph/s.

Take note of the differences in these perspectives, how they affect the openings and tone of a story.)

Now lets start. This is not an attack. This is a difference in opinion.

It was mentioned in a particular blog I read that choosing a perspective (first or third person, usually) required a lot a thought from the writer about the book they intended writing to find which best fitted their story. It strongly dismissed choosing a first/third person perspective simply because it was EASY to write.

This is where I disagree, strongly.

Ok, yes, put in the time, research, and mental thought process to figure out which perspective works best for your story. This is important.

But if this is your first book? If you are new to writing? If you are still developing your craft? 

While I strongly advise testing your limits, going outside your comfort-zone and trying something new to push your skill, IF you are at that stage where you feel you’re secure in your writing as it stands.

Even if you are a strong writer and one perspective works for you over the other, perfect.

But there is nothing wrong in writing in a perspective that is easiest for you!

My mother likes to tells us a particular quote (though she no longer remembers where it comes from) when we are discouraged or otherwise in need of herding in the right direction. It goes something like this, “If you can’t, then do what you can.”

Honestly, sometimes the best way to get something done is the easiest way. Now, please, note that I am not telling you to cut corners with your writing nor am I telling you to stay stagnant and not improve your writing because it’s “easier not to.” 

But I am saying is that if something works for you and your story AND it happens to be easy, then you’re one lucky writer!

This should be a passion of yours, not a nightmare. If you try to force a third person perspective when you naturally write in first person (visa versa) people will very quickly pick up that you are not comfortable with this perspective and your story will come across as weak and disconnected.

Editors and publishers would much rather read a story in a perspective the author has control over because that is a colossal part of the story-telling process. This is a part you do not want to take chances with.

If you have thought about it and decided that, you need a perspective completely different to the one you find easiest for your story, then by all means go ahead! I’m not saying don’t. I am simply saying make sure your writing comes naturally.

If the new perspective change is giving you trouble, write several pages in that perspective before undertaking your new story. You want to really capture the essence of this new perspective change before taking it to your precious story. If you've put in the time to think it all through, put in a little more to make the change appear natural in your next book.

Here are some exercises to do in different perspectives to help you really grip the changes between the two of them:

First Person Perspective – Write a diary entry of half a page to a page long

Third Person Perspective – Rewrite a recent event you’ve heard. E.G. your friend told you about their trip to the store. Write down the trip as if you are following that friend’s tale

Here are some things that may help you swap over:

Take a paragraph or half a page of your own written work. 

If it is First Person, I want you to rewrite that piece again in Third Person (or Vise Versa) it may take you some time, an hour maybe two, if you aren't used to swapping perspectives.

After you've rewritten your piece in a different perspective

1. Write down a short list of pros from the new perspective
2. Then write down some cons you experienced from this
3. Write down how it influenced character, plot and basic story telling

By doing this simple thing you will A) find you are able to swop perspectives when you may not have thought you could before and B) find out what works for you and your story by weighing up your own personal opinion of which one you prefer.

And it’s as simple and easy as that.

Kel