Today I have a question for all you readers out there. And, to be honest, it's a question that I've rolled my eyes at in the past. But lately I've been really struggling with POV and so I'm wondering, do you have a preference for first person or third person POV? And, if so, what is it you like or dislike about one or the other?
Full disclosure: In terms of reading, I can't really say I like one more than the other. Which should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me. I generally answer all either/or questions with yeses or nos. Coffee or tea, wine or beer, red or white, light or dark, favorite season, favorite color--whatever. The more the merrier. Pisces are nothing if not inclusive. So, in terms of viewpoint, it totally depends on what I'm in the mood for at any given time. But when it comes to writing, I definitely prefer third person--unless the viewpoint character has a voice that really stands out.
In most of my first person stories the viewpoint characters have had what were--at least to me--interesting voices. They've also been very chatty. It definitely makes the writing process smoother when you can practically hear the characters' voices in your head, or when you feel as though you're merely taking dictation.
Sadly, that doesn't happen as often as it should.
Which leads me to the book I'm writing now. This is a story told in alternating first person--one chapter in the hero's POV, the next chapter in the heroine's. It's not the first book like that I've written this way, and I actually have another book written like that--the sequel to this one, in fact--all planned out and ready to go. And those characters are practically screaming at me to let them speak.
The h/h from this story, on the other hand? Yeah, not so much.
They've been so very quiet that it's reached the point where I'm wondering if I've made a mistake. Perhaps this book might be better in third person. Hence my opening questions: First? Third? Do you care? And why?
Inquiring minds want to know!
For romance, I prefer alternating third person. In other genres, I'm fine with first person, but multiple first person in one novel or first person present tense are harder sells.
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