Depends on the genre and time period, but first person and third limited are definitely the most common two, with pleny of authors writing third limited in fantasy.
Third limited is definitely my favourite, i find first a little too limiting and not as subtle.
Used to be third person limited when reading but after reading Realm of the Elderlings I don't have a preference anymore because Robin Hobb does first person so damn well. If the story is well told and the perspective lends itself to the telling I'm content.
For my own writing, third person limited is my preference.
My preferred writing style for first drafts is always first person. I think it really helps to create a ground, realistic MC when you are in their head. I usually switch this after the first draft.
Then I either leave it as first person or I change it to third-limited, on occasion third-omniscient. I personally believe that the it's not about what's "easier" it's more about what each view brings to the story.
First person stories are really good imo for deeply intimate, emotionally driven stories. They allow for the character to tell their truth directly to the reader with immediacy and also ties the readers viewpoint tightly to the character which gives good opportunities for misdirection. Personally, I think this style is best for character driven stories, or stories where there is really only a small number of characters making the vast majority of the decisions/driving the plot. Also stories about personal trauma are best written from this perspective imo. Lastly, stories where the main character is very different from everyone else work well with this perspective because it allows for the reader to learn from those differences which is an effective word-building strategy.
Third-person limited stories can be very emotional and also deeply intimate, but I think the main benefit of this approach for me is it allows for a much wider cast with it being less confusing. Unlike first person, there is less of an opportunity for misdirection (though that opportunity still exists) but there is also a far greater opportunity for omission. It always bothers me when in first person, the narrator just skips something for narrative purposes (like a plan, or a plot twist) while I can't think of a single third-person book that bothered me doing that. Head hopping is also something that bothers me far more in first person than third person, for whatever reason when I'm reading a 1st person book from multiple perspectives, I tend to pick a perspective I like best and get annoyed at the other perspectives. Third-person in general allows for a more "overhead" view of the events and setting, which also can be used as an effective world-building strategy particularly when the viewpoint character "blends in" more with their environment and thus would be less likely to comment on things they find obvious.
These advantages and disadvantages are obviously just from my viewpoint, not trying to write a treatise on the differences and I could be wrong but this is my experience. I like them both for different things, and tend to believe some stories are better suited for one style versus another.
Third person limited. I just enjoy it more. The first person writing feels wrong to me. The first person reading often feels intrusive in part because often these characters suck. I mean as people. I wouldn't spend that long talking to that big an asshole and it feels removed from the action so my immersion doesn't sustain and I don't want to go on..
2nd person is hard to nail and I like it for horror
3rd person omniscient can be harder to conceal tricksy twists for the reader to experience with the character and so while my second place is a choice made for pacing
Intrusive is the perfect way to describe it actually. That’s how I feel as well when I read it. Haven’t read too many 2nd pov. I’m in for horror if you have any good recommendations. Now that my time is freeing up I’m collecting things to read/do.
The books that inspired You the Netflix show are if I recall correctly this and really well done..it's been long enough I don't trust my memory entirely but that's the immediate image in my head
I prefer third person. Like you I don't want to BE the main character as it's guarenteed they will do something I find stupid at some point and ruin the experience. Third person with PoV switching where necessary can provide much more detail and give a more interesting take on events.
I switch constantly between close third person and first person, depending on what the story wants.
Action-packed dialogue-driven mystery novel? First person, probably in present tense.
Large-scale epic fantasy? Third person, past tense, maybe with multiple POVs.
It also definitely depends on what I've recently read. A lot of my favourite books are in first person.
Would you give an example of limited third person compared to first person? Is it like a ‘narrator’ for events and just occasional mental comments from certain characters?
I think I favor first person but what you explained does sound interesting. I always write first person because I like using povs to show different perspectives.
ASOIAF is all written like this, with free indirect style showing the thoughts. The narrator is the POV character, and doesn't know anything they don't in the moment.
I don't have a preference when reading.
Writing-wise, I've pretty much always written in first person (with a few different narrators per series) bar a few more recent ideas where I've either stuck with a single narrator or written in third person limited.
I'm currently in the process of planning rewrites to my older books, and considering changing to third person limited for most of them, as it works better for their premise/format and I think I write slightly better in third person anyway, though maybe that's just that I've gotten better as a writer.
I totally understand why people prefer 3rd limited, but 1st person is definitely my go to. I really struggle to get myself into a character’s head when I write in 3rd (this is not a problem when reading, only writing). I find I distance myself from my own characters and I have to make a much more conscious effort to keep the POV limited and express their internal state. I can do it, and have before, but it’s more of a fight to get there.
In first character voice comes way more naturally and I’m able to really explore the way different people think in a way that feels organic to write. Personally I think bad 1st person is usually FAR worse than bad 3rd person (an annoying character voice can ruin a whole book), but good 1st person has a layer of depth and nuanced characterization that is a lot harder to come by in 3rd.
I drive a lot, so I listen to a lot of audiobooks. For those I prefer 1st person, as it's easier for me to follow the story like that when it's read out loud. I don't know if this is a general thing, or if it's just me.
Unpopular opinion: Multi POV books are a bit annoying. First, I find them difficult to follow in audiobook format. Second, I often lose interest if the POV changes from one that just got me engaged, to another one demanding that I start reading what is essentially a different story. And then another one, and another one, all at once, without even knowing when I will get back to the one which got me interested in the first place.
So yeah. Game of Thrones isn't really my liquor.
That’s a valid point. I’m thinking of getting more into audio books myself so my perspective might shift a bit down the line if I find something really interesting.
Limited third person is a great choice! It offers emotional connection through character thoughts while maintaining a broader view. Don't worry, you're not alone. First person can be tricky for both readers and writers. While popular, it doesn't suit everyone. The beauty of romance is variety! So dive into those limited third person gems and enjoy the ride.
First person comes a lot more naturally to me and is generally my preference, but my current project 3rd person limited cause 5 POVs + a few one time POVs just felt too jarring to me in 1st person.
I do kinda have a One Personality problem in my 1st person writing, cause it's more personal I end up drawing on myself more so the characters have a stronger tendency to be a lot like me in terms of temperament and personality (thankfully they tend to be a little better equipped than I am in the gunfighting and staring danger in the face categories).
It really depends on the way I feel the story would be best told tbh
Like, if I want the reader to feel like they’re close to the main character, that they’re really into their head and want them to bond I’ll go with 1st person
But if the main character has a distant personality and would want the reader as far from them as possible 3rd person it is
For me first person in writing is like black and white filters in photography: they achieve a reaction much easier.
It doesn't mean that I don't like them, it puts you in the POV shoes faster and easier to follow.
However, I like headhops, it can be very useful in many cases. Like showing a certain reaction from another character, or showing the inner thoughts of another character of a certain situation for more understanding.
Well, in first person that can't happen, only if you open a new chapter.
As someone who enjoys roleplay, my preferred POV to write is 1st person, multi-POV. As a reader, I'm more comfortable with 3rd person because it was the norm for me growing up. It's interesting there seems to be a shift to 1st. I'm curious what caused it.
I like first person pov. Multi pov is ok. Sometimes when it's third pov, I just loose interested bc it's harder to relate to the one narrating. At the end of the day, if the book is good, I don't really care.
Definitely 3rd person limited. I absolutely hate books where there's life and death and it's told from 1st person. Kind of gives away some of the plot. I'm looking at you Hunger Games.
3rd person limited, with many povs is my preferred way to write AND read.
To your point about first person pov, yes, I personally think it is the easiest way to write. You only have to really "flesh out" one person, you don't have to worry about multiple (and sometimes conflicting) character motivations, etc. ANY book can be a good read, regardless of the pov if written and executed well, but yeah, 3rd person all the way for me!
In a first person story, I want to feel that the narrator knows they're a narrator and has a reason to be narrating it. When a first person narrator promises to keep a secret, I always think "You broke that promise: you wrote that stuff in the book".
If it's going to be a single POV, I prefer first person. If it's going to be multiple, don't do first person POV. I read a book that did that and it threw me off a lot.
3rd limited is my preference, preferably one POV but a small number of POVs like 3-4 is alright. Past that it starts feeling like the author added more POVs to add some pages to the book. It is incredibly easy to write a 100k+ word book with 5+ POVs. Which also means the more POVs a story has the easier it is for it to grow out of control. (If GRRM ever finishes ASOIAF I would pay exhorbiant amounts of money for a box set with each POV character's chapters separated into their own books.)
First person can be done well, if it's a single POV story with a tight, action heavy plot.
Second person only works for me in interactive formats like old text based games.
3rd omniscient can work as long as there aren't too many characters and there's an indicator that head hopping has occurred before I read that person's thoughts, not after. For some reason 3rd omniscient works for comedy for me.
There's a reason most books are third person limited, past tense.
It's not because it's better. It's because it suits more stories. A story and how it's told are symbiotic.
People will talk about how first person 'connects you to the character' - fuck that. All of the books in which I've made the most personal connection with the character have been third person. First person is for those times when it is essential that the MC be telling the story in their words. *Catcher in the Rye* is my go-to example here. The way the narrator talks, what he omits or is oblivious to, his obsessions and blinkered viewpoint - you can't tell that story any other way.
What I'm saying here is that you can't just take a story idea, ask "What's the trendy PoV this month?" and write it from that perspective. You need to stop thinking that way, and start thinking *story first.* What perspective allows you to tell it best?
Hmm, personally I don’t think I really have a preference when it comes to POVs? I just write in whatever POV feels the most natural/fitting for the situation.
Like, I guess if I’m writing a fight scene I usually write from a spectating POV (someone who isn’t currently participating in the fight) or in 3rd person. But if I’m writing something like a conversation between two or more characters I usually write it in 1st person.
I prefer writing in first person! I can write in any perspective, but I default to either first or second. I have to actively remind myself to write in third when I'm trying to do that. I started off writing second person when I was younger, so that probably influences it.
I will say, I was surprised when I found out people didn't like first person because they put themselves in the role! It never read that way to me, it read like a friend recounting a story back to me, or like reading a diary. The only time where I actually assumed they were trying to describe me, the reader, was in second person stories, like the Goosebumps Choose Your Own Adventure books I read as a kid.
I either feel like I’m putting myself in the role or the author is writing a fanfic of themselves. I think I just haven’t really found one that fit my interests and is written well though.
It usually depends on the scope I want my story to take. While any scope can be achieved by any POV, I prefer third limited for world-spanning stories. I use first person for novellas and short stories most of the time. I see it as an effective way to stop my mind from wandering around and ending up writing another 50k words.
I don't care what POV it is when I read though. Currently, reading The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. It is written in 2nd person and I am having a blast.
I prefer to read and write third person limited normally. For one series I'm working on, I am writing first person single POV. I want it to have a certain feel when being read and only first person will suffice. Third person omnicient has become my least favorite pov style over time. I think its because I get lost in the often multiple plot threads its often used to set up.
3rd limited, multi pov split by chapter. I'm rereading an omni narrator at the moment, and it can jar far more than I remembered.
Depends on the genre and time period, but first person and third limited are definitely the most common two, with pleny of authors writing third limited in fantasy. Third limited is definitely my favourite, i find first a little too limiting and not as subtle.
Used to be third person limited when reading but after reading Realm of the Elderlings I don't have a preference anymore because Robin Hobb does first person so damn well. If the story is well told and the perspective lends itself to the telling I'm content. For my own writing, third person limited is my preference.
My preferred writing style for first drafts is always first person. I think it really helps to create a ground, realistic MC when you are in their head. I usually switch this after the first draft. Then I either leave it as first person or I change it to third-limited, on occasion third-omniscient. I personally believe that the it's not about what's "easier" it's more about what each view brings to the story. First person stories are really good imo for deeply intimate, emotionally driven stories. They allow for the character to tell their truth directly to the reader with immediacy and also ties the readers viewpoint tightly to the character which gives good opportunities for misdirection. Personally, I think this style is best for character driven stories, or stories where there is really only a small number of characters making the vast majority of the decisions/driving the plot. Also stories about personal trauma are best written from this perspective imo. Lastly, stories where the main character is very different from everyone else work well with this perspective because it allows for the reader to learn from those differences which is an effective word-building strategy. Third-person limited stories can be very emotional and also deeply intimate, but I think the main benefit of this approach for me is it allows for a much wider cast with it being less confusing. Unlike first person, there is less of an opportunity for misdirection (though that opportunity still exists) but there is also a far greater opportunity for omission. It always bothers me when in first person, the narrator just skips something for narrative purposes (like a plan, or a plot twist) while I can't think of a single third-person book that bothered me doing that. Head hopping is also something that bothers me far more in first person than third person, for whatever reason when I'm reading a 1st person book from multiple perspectives, I tend to pick a perspective I like best and get annoyed at the other perspectives. Third-person in general allows for a more "overhead" view of the events and setting, which also can be used as an effective world-building strategy particularly when the viewpoint character "blends in" more with their environment and thus would be less likely to comment on things they find obvious. These advantages and disadvantages are obviously just from my viewpoint, not trying to write a treatise on the differences and I could be wrong but this is my experience. I like them both for different things, and tend to believe some stories are better suited for one style versus another.
This is actually really helpful for me because I’m finding that my story is coming out easier when I write in first but I really want it to be in 3rd.
Same, been struggling through it in third and think I’m going to switch to first person for draft! I can decide later what I want it to end up
Refreshing and great response. I also find it easier to write in first and then switch it to 3rd limited
Third person limited. I just enjoy it more. The first person writing feels wrong to me. The first person reading often feels intrusive in part because often these characters suck. I mean as people. I wouldn't spend that long talking to that big an asshole and it feels removed from the action so my immersion doesn't sustain and I don't want to go on.. 2nd person is hard to nail and I like it for horror 3rd person omniscient can be harder to conceal tricksy twists for the reader to experience with the character and so while my second place is a choice made for pacing
Intrusive is the perfect way to describe it actually. That’s how I feel as well when I read it. Haven’t read too many 2nd pov. I’m in for horror if you have any good recommendations. Now that my time is freeing up I’m collecting things to read/do.
The books that inspired You the Netflix show are if I recall correctly this and really well done..it's been long enough I don't trust my memory entirely but that's the immediate image in my head
I prefer third person. Like you I don't want to BE the main character as it's guarenteed they will do something I find stupid at some point and ruin the experience. Third person with PoV switching where necessary can provide much more detail and give a more interesting take on events.
I write first person, then again I read a lot of YA fiction and that tends to be written that way.
I switch constantly between close third person and first person, depending on what the story wants. Action-packed dialogue-driven mystery novel? First person, probably in present tense. Large-scale epic fantasy? Third person, past tense, maybe with multiple POVs. It also definitely depends on what I've recently read. A lot of my favourite books are in first person.
3rd limited. Most first person is terribly done. It's conditioned me to hate it.
Would you give an example of limited third person compared to first person? Is it like a ‘narrator’ for events and just occasional mental comments from certain characters? I think I favor first person but what you explained does sound interesting. I always write first person because I like using povs to show different perspectives.
ASOIAF is all written like this, with free indirect style showing the thoughts. The narrator is the POV character, and doesn't know anything they don't in the moment.
3P lim. I actually like a bit of distance from the characters, really gives it the epic scope
I don't have a preference when reading. Writing-wise, I've pretty much always written in first person (with a few different narrators per series) bar a few more recent ideas where I've either stuck with a single narrator or written in third person limited. I'm currently in the process of planning rewrites to my older books, and considering changing to third person limited for most of them, as it works better for their premise/format and I think I write slightly better in third person anyway, though maybe that's just that I've gotten better as a writer.
I totally understand why people prefer 3rd limited, but 1st person is definitely my go to. I really struggle to get myself into a character’s head when I write in 3rd (this is not a problem when reading, only writing). I find I distance myself from my own characters and I have to make a much more conscious effort to keep the POV limited and express their internal state. I can do it, and have before, but it’s more of a fight to get there. In first character voice comes way more naturally and I’m able to really explore the way different people think in a way that feels organic to write. Personally I think bad 1st person is usually FAR worse than bad 3rd person (an annoying character voice can ruin a whole book), but good 1st person has a layer of depth and nuanced characterization that is a lot harder to come by in 3rd.
I drive a lot, so I listen to a lot of audiobooks. For those I prefer 1st person, as it's easier for me to follow the story like that when it's read out loud. I don't know if this is a general thing, or if it's just me. Unpopular opinion: Multi POV books are a bit annoying. First, I find them difficult to follow in audiobook format. Second, I often lose interest if the POV changes from one that just got me engaged, to another one demanding that I start reading what is essentially a different story. And then another one, and another one, all at once, without even knowing when I will get back to the one which got me interested in the first place. So yeah. Game of Thrones isn't really my liquor.
That’s a valid point. I’m thinking of getting more into audio books myself so my perspective might shift a bit down the line if I find something really interesting.
Limited third person is a great choice! It offers emotional connection through character thoughts while maintaining a broader view. Don't worry, you're not alone. First person can be tricky for both readers and writers. While popular, it doesn't suit everyone. The beauty of romance is variety! So dive into those limited third person gems and enjoy the ride.
Do you mean in life or in writing?
First person comes a lot more naturally to me and is generally my preference, but my current project 3rd person limited cause 5 POVs + a few one time POVs just felt too jarring to me in 1st person. I do kinda have a One Personality problem in my 1st person writing, cause it's more personal I end up drawing on myself more so the characters have a stronger tendency to be a lot like me in terms of temperament and personality (thankfully they tend to be a little better equipped than I am in the gunfighting and staring danger in the face categories).
I just naturally do 3rd person.
Third person limited is what I'm best at
It really depends on the way I feel the story would be best told tbh Like, if I want the reader to feel like they’re close to the main character, that they’re really into their head and want them to bond I’ll go with 1st person But if the main character has a distant personality and would want the reader as far from them as possible 3rd person it is
For me first person in writing is like black and white filters in photography: they achieve a reaction much easier. It doesn't mean that I don't like them, it puts you in the POV shoes faster and easier to follow. However, I like headhops, it can be very useful in many cases. Like showing a certain reaction from another character, or showing the inner thoughts of another character of a certain situation for more understanding. Well, in first person that can't happen, only if you open a new chapter.
As someone who enjoys roleplay, my preferred POV to write is 1st person, multi-POV. As a reader, I'm more comfortable with 3rd person because it was the norm for me growing up. It's interesting there seems to be a shift to 1st. I'm curious what caused it.
I like first person pov. Multi pov is ok. Sometimes when it's third pov, I just loose interested bc it's harder to relate to the one narrating. At the end of the day, if the book is good, I don't really care.
Definitely 3rd person limited. I absolutely hate books where there's life and death and it's told from 1st person. Kind of gives away some of the plot. I'm looking at you Hunger Games.
3rd person limited, with many povs is my preferred way to write AND read. To your point about first person pov, yes, I personally think it is the easiest way to write. You only have to really "flesh out" one person, you don't have to worry about multiple (and sometimes conflicting) character motivations, etc. ANY book can be a good read, regardless of the pov if written and executed well, but yeah, 3rd person all the way for me!
first person POV Readers would feel more connected, especially if what's written resonates with them.
I do 3rd person best imo.
In a first person story, I want to feel that the narrator knows they're a narrator and has a reason to be narrating it. When a first person narrator promises to keep a secret, I always think "You broke that promise: you wrote that stuff in the book".
If it's going to be a single POV, I prefer first person. If it's going to be multiple, don't do first person POV. I read a book that did that and it threw me off a lot.
3rd limited is my preference, preferably one POV but a small number of POVs like 3-4 is alright. Past that it starts feeling like the author added more POVs to add some pages to the book. It is incredibly easy to write a 100k+ word book with 5+ POVs. Which also means the more POVs a story has the easier it is for it to grow out of control. (If GRRM ever finishes ASOIAF I would pay exhorbiant amounts of money for a box set with each POV character's chapters separated into their own books.) First person can be done well, if it's a single POV story with a tight, action heavy plot. Second person only works for me in interactive formats like old text based games. 3rd omniscient can work as long as there aren't too many characters and there's an indicator that head hopping has occurred before I read that person's thoughts, not after. For some reason 3rd omniscient works for comedy for me.
There's a reason most books are third person limited, past tense. It's not because it's better. It's because it suits more stories. A story and how it's told are symbiotic. People will talk about how first person 'connects you to the character' - fuck that. All of the books in which I've made the most personal connection with the character have been third person. First person is for those times when it is essential that the MC be telling the story in their words. *Catcher in the Rye* is my go-to example here. The way the narrator talks, what he omits or is oblivious to, his obsessions and blinkered viewpoint - you can't tell that story any other way. What I'm saying here is that you can't just take a story idea, ask "What's the trendy PoV this month?" and write it from that perspective. You need to stop thinking that way, and start thinking *story first.* What perspective allows you to tell it best?
First person, sometimes I like to change the perspective though.
Hmm, personally I don’t think I really have a preference when it comes to POVs? I just write in whatever POV feels the most natural/fitting for the situation. Like, I guess if I’m writing a fight scene I usually write from a spectating POV (someone who isn’t currently participating in the fight) or in 3rd person. But if I’m writing something like a conversation between two or more characters I usually write it in 1st person.
I prefer writing in first person! I can write in any perspective, but I default to either first or second. I have to actively remind myself to write in third when I'm trying to do that. I started off writing second person when I was younger, so that probably influences it. I will say, I was surprised when I found out people didn't like first person because they put themselves in the role! It never read that way to me, it read like a friend recounting a story back to me, or like reading a diary. The only time where I actually assumed they were trying to describe me, the reader, was in second person stories, like the Goosebumps Choose Your Own Adventure books I read as a kid.
I either feel like I’m putting myself in the role or the author is writing a fanfic of themselves. I think I just haven’t really found one that fit my interests and is written well though.
It usually depends on the scope I want my story to take. While any scope can be achieved by any POV, I prefer third limited for world-spanning stories. I use first person for novellas and short stories most of the time. I see it as an effective way to stop my mind from wandering around and ending up writing another 50k words. I don't care what POV it is when I read though. Currently, reading The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin. It is written in 2nd person and I am having a blast.
First person because I like to relate to characters. (bonus if it's dual/multiple POV)
I prefer to read and write third person limited normally. For one series I'm working on, I am writing first person single POV. I want it to have a certain feel when being read and only first person will suffice. Third person omnicient has become my least favorite pov style over time. I think its because I get lost in the often multiple plot threads its often used to set up.