So I'm curious as to if there is a difference in gals and guys on writing style preference. So guys only 1st or 3rd person in a story? I will ask the same question in the 'ask the gals' section. If there is a difference, it would be worth knowing when targeting a certain group with a story. Please feel free to comment why you like one or the other.
For those who may not know..
1st person is; I went to the shop, I bought some milk, then I walked home.
3rd person is; Jane went to the shop, she bought some milk, then she walked home.
When it comes down to choosing between first and third person it really depends on the story itself. If it is an account of a true story, even if it is not the author's personal experience (e.g. an experience that happened to a friend with minor liberties taken), then I would always prefer it to be in the first person. However, more often than not, I prefer third person since I feel that it is better streamlined for detailing the setting, scene, and actions. Sure, I want to know the thoughts and emotions of the main character but I also want to know what is going on without being limited to "I saw...", "I then...", etc.
I can’t think of a good tagline so this will have to do. Suggest a better one for me?
No preference. It all depends upon how well it is written, the story concept, consistency, whether it has great dialogue, excellent action and is believable.
Any story can be told well from either POV if the writer can create a great story. I bounce between the two depending on how the story is going. Sometimes a first person POV works... sometimes a third person POV works... it really just depends.
First person, present tense! Every single time.
The only time I write otherwise, is if I'm co-writing.
I will read others who write in third person or past tense, however, I will not. I much prefer first/present.
Ironically...Second person, at least in writing short-stories.
It's been my favorite narrative mode for quite a while. In an ideal piece, the narration will build around the readers, who will have to fill the link between themselves and the character they're forced into. It's a process similar to a dream where narration instead of your subconscious intrudes to bring new elements, or a video-game, which outcome is written while "you" as a participant are not aware of it yet.
On the long run, it requires tremendous feats of writing that I'm incapable of to keep the illusion alive. But on short bursts, it can absorb and puppet the reader around, giving them deep -if somewhat self-generated- understanding of the character with minimal exposition.
On longer work, I tend to prefer non-omniscient third, which keeps the disparity of information you often need, without forcing you into a one and only character perspective.
haha.