| Author |
Message |
    
Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number:
1713
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:21 pm: |   |
I am writing a story in first person. I'm up to about 30,000 words, but it seems a large part of it is dialogue. Of course, even what isn't actual dialogue seems like dialogue because the person is "telling" the story.
It seems to be mostly dialogue and emotion and I'm not 100% certain that is a bad thing, but I'm not certain it's a good thing either.
When writing in first person is more dialogue necessary to drive the story? I mean if there wasn't dialogue between the character telling the story and the other characters wouldn't it just be the one character's voice droning on and on? Plus, dialogue is the only way the main character will learn things she doesn't already know.
I'm just wondering, because it is quite a bit different than anything I've ever written before, both because it's in first person and because it just isn't the same type genre or whatever.
Anyone have a clue what I'm talking about?
Gloria Davidson Marlow
**The Butterfly Game***Shades of Silence***Flowers for Megan**
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Pacwriter
Unity Member
Post Number:
2277
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:29 pm: | |
mmmmmmmmmm
The best thing is to set it aside for a day and read a book written in first person. When I am stumped and the story seems UNBALANCED, I read writers who have proven themselves with a certain style and genre.
http://www.perrycomer.com
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Stephen Lodge
Hunger Member
Post Number:
88
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 09:01 pm: | |
Sometimes a story calls for first person. I don't think I could have told my latest story (manuscript) any other way.
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Shadows of Eagles"
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
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Stephen Lodge
Hunger Member
Post Number:
89
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 09:02 pm: | |
But I do slip in a narrator every so often.
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Shadows of Eagles"
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
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Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
4237
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 09:08 pm: | |
I switched to first person for my latest book after trying it in third person. It worked better in first person because it was my Grandma sharing the story of her life from early childhood to just before her death.
It's very difficult for me to write first person. I did add dialog between characters as much as possible, but there was more narrative than usual too.
I learned a great deal by writing this particular book.
Laurel
My Name is Esther Clara
======================================
http://laureljohnsonblogs.blogspot.com
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Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
3185
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 04:56 pm: | |
Dialogue and observation (and maybe emotional response).
Other than that, there's really not much else you can do in first person.
That being said, almost all of my material is in first person.
(although Death Brings the Victory is in third...go figure)
Mindsight Moderator
Check out the musings over at Aston's new blog
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Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
3
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 09:39 pm: | |
Hi Gloria,
This is one of the hot topics of discussion (of mine) that I wanted to be a part of.
I am strongly considering writing my next book in 1st person. I know about Gulliver's Travels and Huckleberry Fin, but I recently read a book by H. Rider Haggard titled "She". I guess I never came across the book before although I swear I've seen it on TV as a kid.
Anyway, I found it interesting that the Hero/Chosen One was not the person telling the story and there was eighty percent dialogue verses narration.
It does take time and effort, but I do think it is good to include third person narration in a first person written story. It make sense to or at times you will be subject to writers block as you deal with the "How do I tell this part in first person?" drama.
I plan to challenge myself by combining first and third person with my next book which I plan to call;
"Karate Joes".
Peace & Good Writing
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Richard Taylor
Awareness Member
Post Number:
44
Registered: 10-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 08:49 am: | |
Diana Gabaldan uses an interesting technique in her books -- she uses first person when the scene is in the POV of her heroine, and third person for every other POV.
Richard Taylor
"Virtual Control" -- available from Behler Publications
http://www.behlerpublications.com/titles-taylor.asp
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Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
6
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 09:35 am: | |
Is it Gabaldan or Gabaldon and are all of Diana's books written in first person? Do you have amy more examples of authors and recent first person books? Especially in a action/adventure setting?
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
3259
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 04:13 pm: | |
"Diana Gabaldan uses an interesting technique in her books -- she uses first person when the scene is in the POV of her heroine, and third person for every other POV."
Damn, and I thought I'd stumbled upon something new when I thought to do such a thing in a murder-mystery (which was created long ago, though still in the depths of my hard drive)...
Mindsight Moderator
Aston's Blog
MWWB |
William R. Park, Sr.
Hunger Member
Post Number:
74
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 12:23 pm: | |
Brian Haig (son of General Alexander Haig) is a great author who writes effortlessy in the first person. I suggest you pick up one of his latest novels at the library and read how he does it. I learned a great lession for him. Another suggestion is to write a chapter as you normally would--then go back and revise into first person. That exercise appears to work. |
Fred Dungan
Unity Member
Post Number:
1600
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 01:15 pm: | |
Didn't Poker Casino also write effortlessly in the first person?
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
3262
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 03:00 pm: | |
"Another suggestion is to write a chapter as you normally would--then go back and revise into first person. That exercise appears to work."
I did the opposite, and changed three chapters from 1st to 3rd...and other than a few pronoun swaps and other assorted clean-ups, not much changed. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.
Mindsight Moderator
Aston's Blog
MWWB |
Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
10
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 06:02 am: | |
Stephen,
Question #1 - How do you feel about mixing 3rd person in with a 1st person POV? I think you/the reader needs both.
Question #2 - Where does it get sticky when using both POV's?
Question #3 - Why isn't it a easy transition for the reader regarding a needed narration of the dramatic/romantic events?
Peace & Good Writing
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Cassandra Zaruba
Awareness Member
Post Number:
9
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 04:04 pm: | |
Another book that is not consistent in person is Drowning Ruth. It is mostly 3rd person, but there are parts where it switches to 1st, from the perspective of either Amanda or Ruth. It works okay in that novel, but it's not something I would do in my own writing...
Cassandra Zaruba,
author & research junkie
www.cassandrazaruba.com |
Stephen Lodge
Wandering Member
Post Number:
122
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 05:29 pm: | |
“Question #1 - How do you feel about mixing 3rd person in with a 1st person POV? I think you/the reader needs both.”
It works quite well for me in my newest manuscript. Combining a 3rd person narration, with the two characters who tell their story in 1st person, helped me to enhance what I was saying.
”Question #2 - Where does it get sticky when using both POV's?” It never got sticky for me. Something just told me when the narrator needed to cut in – usually to set up the reader for a new scene (setting), and other times to clear up minor discrepancies between what the two main characters had said.
”Question #3 - Why isn't it a easy transition for the reader regarding a needed narration of the dramatic/romantic events?”
It’s all in the way it’s presented. In my case, I label each character’s section or chapter, with their name in caps above the dialogue before it begins. And I separate the narration with a star (*) before and after.
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Shadows of Eagles"
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
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Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
11
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 12:07 am: | |
Thanks Stephen.
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
12
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 07:21 am: | |
Stephen,
Here is a BIG request!
Could you (and everyone commenting on this thread), list your three (3) top 1st person books published in the last 7 years.
If that time slot is to narrow, then your top five (5) 1st person books. Throw in a couple that have mixed in 3rd person and are done well.
Thank You in advance!
What I am after is; Reading and comparing basic foundations and creative ideas in 1st person POV. I do have a idea of how I want to write my next book, again I did like the set up in "She" by H. R. Haggard. Yesterday, I took a moments with a excerpt from one of Diana Gabaldon books.
More references would be great.
Peace & Good Writing
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Stephen Lodge
Wandering Member
Post Number:
123
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 11:17 am: | |
"Could you (and everyone commenting on this thread), list your three (3) top 1st person books published in the last 7 years"
Jackie,
I am not what you would call an avid reader of fiction. Maybe that's because I write fiction, I really don't know. I don't think I've bought any new books of fiction, with the exception of three or four in the Western genre, in the past 7 years. I recall one book I read in the last few years that was written in 1st person with 3rd person narration, but it was an older book and wouldn't fall into your seven year five year categories. I can't remember the title anyway. Sorry I can't be of help, but I'm sure there are others who frequent this board who can give you some titles written in first person.
Steve
Novels by Stephen Lodge:
"Shadows of Eagles"
"Charley Sunday's Texas Outfit!"
"Nickel-Plated Dream"
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Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
3270
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 01:39 pm: | |
Most of your higher profile female mystery writers (Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Patricia Cornwell, to name a few) write in 1st. None of the above, as far as I know, have mixed 3rd in the same book as 1st.
Mindsight Moderator
Aston's Blog
MWWB |
Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number:
1738
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 07:16 pm: | |
Jude Deveraux wrote a book a few years ago that was done in first person by both the male and femal protaganists. I enjoyed it a lot.
Victoria Holt and other "gothic romance" writers are always in first person. I loved all of them.
Mary Higgins Clark has done the 1st person/3rd person thing and I enjoyed it a lot as well.
I just read a book, "Remembering Blue" and it was very good. It was first person.
Gloria Davidson Marlow
**The Butterfly Game***Shades of Silence***Flowers for Megan**
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Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
13
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 07:29 am: | |
Thanks Stephen & Gloria,
So far...it seems that there are no action/adventure books in 1st person. Hmmmm...Maybe I'll be the 1st in that genre. Also, no martial art books in 1st person either. Kool!
Peace
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2658
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 08:26 am: | |
Jackie,
That these people haven't read a book of your particular genre in first person doesn't necessarily show or mean that there are no books out there in 1st person of that type, just that they haven't read them, because maybe they haven't been interested in them, or possibly they didn't even know they exist in the first place. Hate to burst your bubble on that. There may be hundreds of books out there that are action/adventure written that way. I would suggest you go to the local library or nearby university and look up the genre that you are interested in to see what is available. Or do a google/ask.com or check out the type book you are after on Amazon or B&N or Alibris and then look at the web page of the author or the publishing house to see if the writing style is described on it or if you can get a feel of what POV it is written in.
Afterall, there have been writers for a few thousand years and there are really no original thoughts anymore or styles, as they have all been tried at one time or another, some with good results and some with horrible ones. So, do your diligent work and then you may find some or many such books with that style POV. Then again, you may not, but at that point you can likely say that you might be the first person to try using a POV that way. Twenty to fifty people on a website is not a good enough representation to make a judgment call about what has been done or not done by writers for over two thousand years. That is sort of like taking a poll of a thousand people and telling the nation/world that EVERYBODY thinks according to the poll results that you have worked up. Tisn't true my friend. The results can be skewed by demographics, race, geography, climate, interest, money spent on product, etc, you get the idea.....
Of course, we here at Mindsight are the doers of the world and have in our collective minds the knowledge of the millenium, however we are not infallible... (I am seriously joking here folks), and we know all there is to know about everything, so I would really say with forthright honesty that you can ultimately take our word as gospel and make you truth based on what we here and only here have to say on any subject....... yeah right!!! **That tongue in cheek jab is kind of rough and I seriously to value each and every persons contributions to any subject that is brought up here, we are all very intelligent people and have been around for a while and checked a lot of things out in many places and forms for our own reference and knowledge value, but I beg you not to take only our opinions as gospel on any guestion.**
Claudia
MINDSIGHT MODERATOR
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Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number:
1739
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 09:01 am: | |
I don't read action/adventure books, so I don't know if there are any written in 1st person.
Besides those I mentioned, I usually don't read books written in 1st person. I'm not sure why.
Gloria
Gloria Davidson Marlow
**The Butterfly Game***Shades of Silence***Flowers for Megan**
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Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
14
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 07:55 am: | |
I hear you loud and clear Claudia. If my last message read as if I would be that naive to of not checked out a library or bookstore, then that was my writing error.
I've been there, done,that...doing that off of every author's name that is associated with a 1st person book. Actually, H. Rider Haggard's book "She" started me on this 1st person trail.
Although Claudia, You might of stopped me from putting a pillow behind my head when it comes to feeling that there are no actions books out there in 1st person. Or better yet; recent martial arts action/adventure 1st person books.
Just promise one thing Claudia. When you burst my bubble(s) in the future, please do not use the small needles found in a new purchased men's dress shirt. They make the bubble pop the loudest.
Peace & Good Writing
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2659
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 09:09 am: | |
Jackie,
I just wrote what I did to you so that you would think with a bit more rationality than you sounded like you were doing about the subject. That you wanted information on the subject shows that you were feeling a bit uneasy about how you were telling the story and I wanted you to make sure that you were getting all angles covered. And not just relying on our *expertise*... of which many of us abound with, but it may not suit your particular needs.
I would NEVER <g> (burst your bubble, especially with those sharp little pins found in the shirt cartons) <g> intentionally or unintentionally.... I sincerely hope for your sake that there aren't too many out there and that all the research you will be doing will be a short process. Let us all know what you find while you are poking around, OK. I wrote/write mainly non-fiction and think that I wrote in 1st-and a bit of 3rd person, but my book is not action oriented in any way. However, there are many books our there in the on-fiction category that are in 1-3rd person, mostly because of the personal nature of writing non-fiction, I would think. And because of the personal nature of the writing of the story you are trying to convey, it comes very easy. (just my thoughts.)
By the way, welcome to the board..... I think I already said that after your first post, but I am saying it again.
Have a great day.
Claudia
MINDSIGHT MODERATOR
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Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
15
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 11:17 am: | |
Thank You Claudia
Much Love to Ya! The needle comment was only to make you laugh. No harm done.
Peace
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Cassandra Zaruba
Awareness Member
Post Number:
10
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 03:24 pm: | |
On the site www.allreaders.com, you can search for books specifically by genre and also by person. I did this when I was looking for a novel that had a mentally unstable protagonist and was written in 3rd person (because most of those books are in first)...
Cassandra Zaruba,
author & research junkie
www.cassandrazaruba.com |
Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
16
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 11:15 pm: | |
I don't know you Cass...but now; I love you!
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
Cassandra Zaruba
Awareness Member
Post Number:
11
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 04:30 pm: | |
I'm glad I could help  I hope the site is useful to you...
Cassandra Zaruba,
author & research junkie
www.cassandrazaruba.com |
Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
17
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 06:57 am: | |
I'm sure it will.
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
William R. Park, Sr.
Hunger Member
Post Number:
75
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:45 pm: | |
Jackie: I would suggest author Bryan Haig (son of General Alexander Haig) as a perfect example of a writer who writes suspense-thriller-adventure novels with ease. For someone who has a successful technique for switching from 1st person to 3rd--pick up any of Elizabeth Peters mystery novels set in Egypt. |
William R. Park, Sr.
Hunger Member
Post Number:
76
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:48 pm: | |
Sorry, Jackie: The name's BRIAN HAIG (not Bryan). |
Jackie Grant Miller
Awareness Member
Post Number:
18
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 08:23 pm: | |
Thanks William! Good lookin' out. I'll check both of them out ASAP.
Peace & Good Writing
Jackie Grant Miller
ISBN 141207782-2
Trafford Publishing |
EmV (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 216.154.205.203
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 03:24 pm: | |
The last three I read where the 5th-7th books in Jim Butcher's Dresden series. |
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