Writing Perspective

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Asked around and this seemed the best place for it. More or less I want to discuss perspective in writing. Ya know, first, third, etc? What do you like to read, write? What works best in your opinion, and what's the pros and cons of each?
Also discuss changing perspectives. Be it sometimes being first sometimes third, or swapping the perspective character between chapters.

 

Partially I'm asking to get a feel of what people think, for my own writing, so this is a pretty important topic for me. I hope to see some interesting thoughts. ^^

[Blake]

I really dislike first person.

 

I feel like you limit the narrative as a whole too much, in exchange for further emotional development of the character(s) whose perspective is focused on... and thoughts can still be explored in third person.

[Flash Flyer - Sakura]

Depends on the writing.

 

Third person lets you see the thoughts of all characters, and is usually how a lot of books I've read do things. (Probably the one I'm most familiar with)

Problem is that you're reading things from the writer's POV, and likely the characters in question say different things.

 

First person is sort of iffy, because you're getting the main character (or author's if this is a self-reflection) POV of the situation, and there is no guarantee that they'll be accurate with regards to others. (Though, there have been some texts in first person that I had to read for English; that, and writing my fiction assignment in this)

 

I've yet to see someone write in second person though.

 

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As for changing perspectives, I usually don't do it much (unless in character speeches).

One of my classmates did that for their fic, and it came off as somewhat confusing.

 

Most of my 5Ds spinoff fic offline is generally 3rd person [you don't need to know what's in it].

 

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For writing, probably fanfics and maybe some other stuff related to action and stuff.

Not really keen on the gushy romance kind of stories (there are some exceptions in shipping ones, but even those have their limits).

 

Though, it might not help that most of the stuff I read nowadays is either manga or some other small stuff.

Just not any "longer" books that suit my interest.

[Fusion X. Denver]

For the best perspective, I think it depends on what story you're writing. Sometimes I agree first person is a bit narrowed and I'd like more of an omnipresent narrator, other times I only want the 1st person perspective because it makes the story more interesting that way.

Like with Harry Potter, I wouldn't want the story to be retold through a different narrative style, not even 1st person despite still being in Harry's head. And I wouldn't want Sherlock Holmes or The Great Gatsby to be told by anyone besides Watson and Nick.

 

If I had to pick a preferred reading style, it'd probably be third person, or limited third person. There is more freedom that way and I think it lends itself to stronger prose overall.

[Alice Moonflowyr]

I've written in both first and third person, and I personally prefer third person. First person is useful for when you want to tell a story from ONE person's perspective and ONLY their perspective. Third person is useful when you want multiple views and perspectives on a story from more than one character. 

 

I enjoy reading both styles, but when it comes to my own writing, third person is usually what I'll end up going with. 

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

For the best perspective, I think it depends on what story you're writing. Sometimes I agree first person is a bit narrowed and I'd like more of an omnipresent narrator, other times I only want the 1st person perspective because it makes the story more interesting that way.

Like with Harry Potter, I wouldn't want the story to be retold through a different narrative style, not even 1st person despite still being in Harry's head. And I wouldn't want Sherlock Holmes or The Great Gatsby to be told by anyone besides Watson and Nick.

 

If I had to pick a preferred reading style, it'd probably be third person, or limited third person. There is more freedom that way and I think it lends itself to stronger prose overall.

Out of curiosity. What kind of stories do you feel work best with first and best with third?