What Person? Tip#3

Dear Storyteller,

What Person? is Tip#3, and you might very well be asking, what is she even talking about?

Let me explain…

Once you’ve finalized in your mind that amazing scene or idea (through your incredible daydreaming version of “brainstorming”), and you’re eager to get to the computer or that pad of paper waiting for you, take a very brief moment to pause and reflect. Because, before you pound out that mind-blowing scene, now’s the time to determine what person you will write your story in: 1st or 3rd.

Why?

What person you choose determines the flow and tempo of your story. 1st person generally lends a faster pace to any story. 3rd person typically provides a slow, methodical progression of events. Choosing 1st over 3rd or vice-a-versa will set the tone and mood of your story as well.

How do I choose between them?

Ultimately, this determination really depends on you and your preference. 1st person is by far significantly easier to write compared to 3rd person.

If you find yourself still struggling with and/or nervous about getting your story down in the quickest way possible and you would prefer the path of least resistance, I would suggest writing in 1st person.

Why start with 1st person if I’m struggling to write my story?

In terms of grammar and flow of word and phrase, it’s very easy to convey your thoughts and feelings and produce the right amount of description if you’re writing in 1st person. When utilizing 1st person, you’re creating a world experienced through your eyes, which transfers to the reader as experiencing the world through their eyes.

It’s also much easier for you, as the writer, to pull the reader into your story. Readers essentially see first-hand the world you’ve created and what’s happening to the main character…or really, what feels like is happening to themselves. This creates the optimal value of drawing readers into your story so deeply, they’ll feel as if everything happening in the story is truly an extension of themselves and their own personal experience.

Another benefit of 1st person writing…

There’s a lot less description. Since you’re just describing what you’re “seeing” as you take the reader through the adventure in your story, there isn’t really a need to “set-up” your surroundings because you’re only tuning the reader in to what matters to you. This makes it very easy to pick up the flow and naturally speed the reader along on the journey you’re creating for them.

What about 3rd person?

3rd person has always been described in the writing world as infinitely harder to write, quite simply because you have to convey to the reader what’s happening via a 3rd party, so to speak. How the story unfolds is still indirectly from your perspective as the storyteller, but it’s seen through the eyes of your main character (MC). Now you have to engross the reader in the story by drawing them in via the MC’s experiences…which is much harder because the world is seen through the MC’s eyes, not yours…well, again, indirectly not yours.

In essence, you now have to set-up the MC’s surroundings a bit more so that the reader can see what the MC is seeing and experiencing.

Can you still draw a reader in with 3rd person?

Definitely you can. The use of emotional intelligence is key here because now you’re playing on the reader’s emotions to draw them into the story. You will need to write compelling scenes where you incite fear, excitement, suspense, anxiety, dread, happiness, hope, sadness, etc., in the reader. Using emotional words and descriptors helps pull the reader into the story and mainly feel for the characters. At this point, it’s like watching a really good play or movie (hence, Tip#2, Daydream. If you missed this one, check it out here).

In some respects, it also serves to distance the reader from the action, turmoil, and fear the MC experiences, which can be a good thing, particularly if things get really intense in your book. And yet, at the same time, it makes the reader feel concern for what will happen to the MC. It’s more about evoking sympathy and empathy, if that kinda makes sense, and is what you use to draw the reader completely into your story.

3rd person description…

As touched on previously, 3rd person also requires a little more description in terms of establishing the setting of your novel, while 1st person requires much less. I noticed this in particular with Janette Oke’s books (which have drastically helped my own writing technique by the way).

Janette wrote The Canadian West series all in 1st person. There was very little description (which at times I wished there was a little more, but that’s neither here nor there and just personal preference) because Janette was just giving the details of what the MC, Elizabeth, saw throughout the story, which was just enough to establish an understanding of where the character was, but it didn’t elaborate on or create an immersive experience in which the reader was able to really see the whole world Elizabeth encountered.

On the other hand, with 3rd person, I generally see more authors “describing” the scene and intermixing dialogue with it…well…at least in the traditional books (think Austen, Brontë sisters, etc.). Contemporary books have taken a much different direction based on the “decaying minds” mentality of our society these days, but that is truly a whole other topic.

Side note:

The advice I’ve heard on the topic of contemporary writing (i.e. penning a novel in the 21st century) is truly mind-boggling and honestly saddens me, but, after processing their advice, I realize it’s just an unfortunate reflection of the truth of our society.

If you’re interested in what this entails, I’d be happy to include it in the Myths section of The Writer’s Nook, as I can’t quite take it upon myself to include it as solid advice. At least, I’d encourage you to strive for something better, higher, holier, and loftier. As Paul says in Philippians 4: “think on those things that are noble and true.” I believe seeking the highest potential we have to offer the Lord in terms of a great story and great writing is infinitely more important than penning something that will just “make sales.”

Keep in mind…

In the end, please take my advice and everything else you may have heard from me with a grain of salt. It is truly just my opinion on the subject. You are the author, which is truly the magical portion of this whole Writer’s Nook concept. You get to decide what and how much of anything and everything you include in your story: from storyline to description to characters to themes, etc.

At the forefront of my own thinking is the idea that I essentially want to give you launching points. To give you something to encourage your skill and fuel your desire to pen that novel. The rest is, as they say, up to you. So definitely take from these posts what’s helpful-if anything at all-and then place your own twists and artistry on how you choose to convey your story to the world. In fact, if you disagree with anything or everything I’m sharing, that may be even better! Because it fuels your passion to write “better” than what anyone’s telling you is the “right way” to write, including me. Although, I’ll be clear here. I don’t believe my method is the “right way” to pen a story. All I can share with you is that it is definitely a method that works for me and continues to work for me.

All that aside…let’s keep going.

Is there such a thing as too much description though?

Mmm, yes and no. How much description you include is unique to you as the writer and really depends on what “voice” you write in. This is my next tip-Tip#4, Finding your Voice. I personally prefer a little more description. However, I have noticed for my own writing that as I progress and mature my skills, I tend to use less description, such as with my current WIP (work in progress), which isn’t Book 3 of my debut series, In the Shadow of Emerald Fire. It’s something totally new, and I’m really hoping you’ll love this book as much as Finockt’s continuing journey!

Can you be a successful writer with a lot of description?

Mmmm, let’s see…

Traditionally published authors with lots of description in their books…

Robin McKinley is an author who writes with a lot of description. Actually so much so that she had a difficult time finding a publisher who would take her books. Eventually, one did, and McKinley was quite successful. The Hero and the Crown is one story I enjoyed reading growing up.

(Another side note: if you venture into this reading territory, please be aware that McKinley is a secular writer. She does have a bit of a bizarre ending to The Hero and the Crown from what I remember, but I believe I was mature enough at the time for it not to bother me. I read that book in like 8th grade, I think).

Also Beauty, her retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is a magical encounter. There is a lot of description utilized; however, it never made me want to close the book. I find more description-as long as it’s not superly overdone-produces a very immersive experience, which is everything you want for your readers. You want them to literally experience your story, not just read it. The more they feel immersed in your story and lose track of time and reality, the more you’ve elicited their imagination and assisted them in actually experiencing your unfolding story, rather than just having the pleasure of reading a story and then setting it off to the side.

If I’m in the market for a quick, entertaining read, I don’t mind indulging in a book that’s bare-boned and just gives the basics, as long as it’s enjoyable. These have their place, and I wouldn’t mind writing one of these stories as well one day.

Also keep in mind…

Your writing and your desire for more or less description when creating your story can morph and/or change over time. This has more to do with experience, personal preference, and adeptness at writing, yet it is possible. Don’t feel like everything is set in stone. Writing is definitely an art form, and art, as we all know, is subject to change over time, based on mood, personality, perspective, and/or skill level.

We all have to start somewhere as writers, which is oftentimes why you’ll see book reviewers mentioning something about the writer’s “debut novel” being exceptionally outstanding or perhaps a good story but the reviewer is looking forward to seeing the writer’s growth throughout his or her writing journey.

So don’t be hard on yourself. It’s hard to hear the criticism, but realize two things: 1) the reviewer (whether professional, familial, or friend-based) is sharing their perspective, which is truly just their perspective; and 2) your writing is subject to growth and maturity. What you’ve currently penned isn’t the be-all and end-all. Your writing skills only stop when you do.

Bottom line:

You can immerse your reader into your story with or without a lot of description, and whether or not you write in 1st or 3rd person. This is essentially where you step in and cultivate the experience you want your reader to have. The garden of storytelling is yours to nourish and flourish in your own time, your own way, and in your own vein of perfection.

Have you decided?

Based on this post, what person have you chosen to begin your story? Either way, you can’t lose. It’s just a matter of preference, what comes naturally to you, and what inspires you the most.

Your turn…

Now that you’ve daydreamed that awesome idea into existence and/or created a full-fledged, heart-stopping scene, choose your person of choice: 1st or 3rd. Make the decision and then get ready to find your voice (upcoming Tip#4) because all of this is coming together very soon.

What did you think?

Any thoughts on this post? I do hope you enjoyed What Person? Tip#3, and are looking forward to the next post on The Writer’s Nook.

Miss the first couple of posts?

Head back to the main page of The Writer’s Nook here and read the other posts available!

If you want to share any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to email me at contact@adgermanbooks.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time…I hope you find picking what person you want to write you story in easy and inspirational. God bless xoxo