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Sep 20 10 12:31 AM

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I'm writing a book in first-person perspective. There is no way I can change that. To change it to third-person would ruin it. Everything that goes on in my main character's world has to be told through his eyes or it wouldn't work.

But there's another character: the love interest. She feels something too. It's something that I'd like to emphasize but I wouldn't be able to unless I could focus on her. (Note: This story is NOT a romance. However it does start out like one.)

I know I can switch perspectives for a bit. But to me it is my main character's story. I don't EVER want to refer to him in third person. Ever. It would make it feel like he's become less important to me. Even if the readers wouldn't feel it, I would.

I think I have a couple options:

Option 1: I was thinking, I could do what James Patterson did in Maximum Ride. The story is in First Person, but when focused on a character different from the main, then it switches to Third Person. But this only works if the main character never enters into this second character's "world" so-to-speak while that scene is going on.

Option 2: This is the one I REALLY want to do, but it would mean breaking the barrier between two characters. Have the story stay in first person, but allow the main character to focus on the second character. What she's thinking and feeling. The problem with this is that it will seem like he can read her mind, or is stalking her.

Should I stick with Option 1 or 2? Is there a third option available to me? Is there a way I can pull off Option 2 without the audience getting confused? Help?
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#1 [url]

Sep 20 10 12:48 AM

AzraelSakura,

First, welcome to the Fiction Factor forum!

Honestly, you're the only one who can decide which route is the 'best' one for your story.

That said, there is no reason that the POV character can't pick up through conversation, actions, what others say, think and cofide, and make reasonable statements or assumptions on what the second character is thinking. Will he be right all the time? No...but that's okay, isn't it?

We live our lives in first person POV. Yet we judge what others we are close to feel or think--based on words, actions, nonverbal cues, history/experience, what others reveal to us about the person in question, etc.

I've written and had works published in both first person POV and third person limited. I agree that some stories are better told in one or the other, so good luck with whatever route you choose.

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
Editor for MindFlights
My Blog Up Around the Corner

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munboy

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#2 [url]

Sep 20 10 5:23 AM

I would say to try to write a scene where your main character makes observations on this other character based on movement, facial expressions, speech...all that. See if it works for you. If not, try the first thing out. Find out which one works best for you.

On an island in the sun.
The Gatekeeper - Revision...ongoing...

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#3 [url]

Sep 20 10 12:16 PM

You can write both viewpoints in first person. A lot of books I've read do this and it doesn't break the flow. I've also seen one point done as first and the other characters as third. It's all about how you feel as a writer. Does her pov sound right in first or third?

T.L. Kenworth
Traci Kenworth

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fiction

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#4 [url]

Oct 20 10 5:00 PM

If you're writing in first person, I'd be very wary of switching viewpoints over to a different character. This will not seem natural if the rest of the book is told in first person of the protagonist, only to switch to the inside-thoughts of a different character.

This may work from third person limited, or you have the option of the viewpoint character noticing various body language signals or characteristics of the other character from that primary viewpoint. Don't confuse them though.

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