When writing erotic fiction which do you think is better, to write in the first person point of view or the third person point of view?
For example:
ie. His balls slap against my pussy, stimulating my clit as he fucks my virgin ass, grabbing my nipple with one hand while his other hand rests on the back of my neck. Bending over me he bites my shoulder as I feel his body shake and his groin muscles tense up. I feel him explode and blow his load inside of my ass, his cum oozing out as he pulls his cock out of me slowly. We both crumple into a heap on the floor of the shower stall, the warm water still flowing over our sweaty, shaking bodies.
or
His balls slap against Tiffany's pussy, stimulating her clit as he fucks her virgin ass, he grabs her nipples with one hand while his other hand rests on the back of her neck. Bending over her, John bite's Tiffany's shoulder as she feels his body shake and his groin muscles tense up. She feels him explode and blow his load inside of her ass, his cum oozing out as he pulls his cock out of her slowly. They both crumple into a heap on the floor of the shower stall, the warm water still flowing over their sweaty, shaking bodies.
Which description would keep you more interested in the story and make your imagination wander?
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First or third person?
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by scottswallows
I like the first person.It's easier to picture myself in the story.
Precisely why I prefer third person. Then I can picture myself in the most appropriate character, instead of having to be the "first" person.
The other big advantage of third person "fly on the wall" is that the reader can know what is happening elsewhere, or in the head of every character, rather than being limited to knowing only what the protagonist can know.
For example "As I thrust into her unwilling body she fought to preserve her virginity." No - the narrator/ cannot know the motivation of the victim. Perhaps she has some dreadful disease which makes sex hurt like hell and which she doesn't want to spread, even to a , and he is only a because of this fact. Really she likes him and would normally welcome his advances. I appreciate that this is an unlikely scenario but it demonstrates my point.
Most first person stories are set in one character throughout and if the reader is of the opposite sex, or a widely different age group, then an appreciable part of the story's appeal is lost through the reader's inability to imagine him/herself in the character's position. I am male and I really can't imagine what it feels like to be impaled on someone's prick. (And the answer to your next suggestion is "No, thank you.")
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I prefer the first person, reading 'I did this' and 'he/she did that to me' etc gives the reader a sense of involvement which I really like. It makes it easy to imagine being a part of it. Although I've read and loved many third person stories on here too, it all comes down to the skill of the writer being able to draw the reader in.
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Active Ink Slinger
For me, I'm still trying to find out with style fits me better. So far in my two stories, I used third person in first story, then first person from his point of view in 2nd story. In the current story I'm writing, I'm using first person from her point of view. I just giving every style a try so I can find which one I like best.
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Active Ink Slinger
For short stories there's hardly any advantage or disadvantage choosing one over the other. Most stories will be from one character's perspective whether they are first or third person. For me I guess it's easier for the reader if I write in third person if the main character is female. From my own stories, Three Bears and Brazilian Wanderer have female lead characters and are written in third person, Student Body has a male character and is written in first person. Circle of Friends has seven characters, all of which take a turn in lead - writing that in first person would have been impossible!
Interestingly, Unreserved Seating is written in first person - but there is no indication at all that the narrator is male - it's implied because I'm the author and I'm male, and the character behaves in a masculine fashion, but it's never stated. I did consider writing an alternative ending where it's revealed that the narrator is in fact female - maybe I will one day ;)
In larger works of fiction - the more characters and the more situations they find themselves in the harder it is to maintain first person narrative. The book Treasure Island, for example, is written in first person - Jim Hawkins - which works well as Jim is the only one who interacts with everyone else. When the crew split up though - he can't know what other people are up to - the author gets around this by having a few chapters written from the ship's Doctor's perspective.
In summary, I'd say: if you need to get in the head of more than one character it has to be third person. If you're only focussing on one person, go with what feels right for the situation.
Interestingly, Unreserved Seating is written in first person - but there is no indication at all that the narrator is male - it's implied because I'm the author and I'm male, and the character behaves in a masculine fashion, but it's never stated. I did consider writing an alternative ending where it's revealed that the narrator is in fact female - maybe I will one day ;)
In larger works of fiction - the more characters and the more situations they find themselves in the harder it is to maintain first person narrative. The book Treasure Island, for example, is written in first person - Jim Hawkins - which works well as Jim is the only one who interacts with everyone else. When the crew split up though - he can't know what other people are up to - the author gets around this by having a few chapters written from the ship's Doctor's perspective.
In summary, I'd say: if you need to get in the head of more than one character it has to be third person. If you're only focussing on one person, go with what feels right for the situation.
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Why not read some stories instead
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Why not read some stories instead
NEW! Want a quick read for your coffee break? Why not try this... Flash Erotica: Scrubber
I agree with overmykneenow, in that there isn't really any advantage/disadvantage in using first or third character. I think that tense is MUCH more important.
Past tense in story-telling allows the reader to build a more complete picture of what happened, while present tense gives tunnel vision and seems more like an instruction manual.
Just my thoughts.
Past tense in story-telling allows the reader to build a more complete picture of what happened, while present tense gives tunnel vision and seems more like an instruction manual.
Just my thoughts.
Advanced Wordsmith
I prefer third person. First person has to really catch me, topic wise, to keep me interested.
I find present tense to be totally off putting, though.
I find present tense to be totally off putting, though.
The Right Rev of Lush
First person has the advantage of being much more intimate, more 'up-close and personal' than third person.
Third person is easier to master, more flexible, and much more common among today's published works.
All that said, Lush is a great place to experiment. Try 'em both and in different categories.
Third person is easier to master, more flexible, and much more common among today's published works.
All that said, Lush is a great place to experiment. Try 'em both and in different categories.
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Yeah, I started with third actually...two out of my first three stories were third, but really I greatly prefer first person for various reasons I don't feel like typing...
Really, either works...as long as you don't use second person...then you're just doomed for complete and total failure from the start...
Really, either works...as long as you don't use second person...then you're just doomed for complete and total failure from the start...
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Quote by DirtyMartini
Yeah, I started with third actually...two out of my first three stories were third, but really I greatly prefer first person for various reasons I don't feel like typing...
Really, either works...as long as you don't use second person...then you're just doomed for complete and total failure from the start...
Exactly as long as it isn't second person anything is fine.
Active Ink Slinger
My opinions agree with others here, but I want to reiterate my POV.
1st person usually lends a sort of intimacy with the reader. It involves them in your
fantasy, and that's really why the lot of us write.
But.
I typically write in 3rd person if I'm writing about something I haven't experienced
before, but fantasize about. I can't really say what it all feels like if I haven't felt it
myself now can I?
1st person usually lends a sort of intimacy with the reader. It involves them in your
fantasy, and that's really why the lot of us write.
But.
I typically write in 3rd person if I'm writing about something I haven't experienced
before, but fantasize about. I can't really say what it all feels like if I haven't felt it
myself now can I?
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Active Ink Slinger
I prefer to read stories that are written in the Third Person P.O.V. But I find it difficult for me to actually write in the Third Person.
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