When writing we need to have a clear point of view and we must remain consistent with the point of view we’ve chosen to use.

For many writers using first person point of view comes natural and for others they find third person to be more natural.

When you write in third person you become the narrator and tell the story as it happens.  Writing in first person means that you write from your perspective as a character in the story.

Writing in first person doesn’t have to be from the main character’s perspective either.  You can write in first person as a supporting character, although writing from this perspective may have its drawbacks and be difficult.

Most readers want to hear the story from a narrator or from the main character’s point of view.

The following are some short examples of first and third person.

“As I returned home, I noticed a large package on my front steps.  I approached with caution because I wasn’t expecting any deliveries this week.  I had an eerie feeling as got closer to the brown box; what could it be I pondered?”

“As Sarah returned home, she noticed a large package on her front steps.  She approached with caution because she wasn’t expecting any deliveries this week.  Sarah had an eerie feeling as she got closer to the brown box; what could it be she pondered.”

“As Sarah returned home, she noticed a large package on her front steps.  I approached with caution as I wasn’t expecting any deliveries this week.  Sarah had an eerie feeling as she got closer to the brown box; what could it be I pondered?”

As you can see the first paragraph is written in first person, the second paragraph is written in third person and the third paragraph is just wrong!  The third paragraph is written in both first and third person point of view and you can see it doesn’t work and only leaves a reader being confused.

Always check your work and make sure you stay in the same point of view throughout the story.

Take some time to practice writing in a different point of view than you’re used to.  This will help to get you thinking outside the box and hone your writing skills.

Do you have trouble staying in a certain point of view?
Which point of view do you prefer to write in?

Write On!
Patti Stafford