Meaning: If I begin a story in first person with the MC, is it acceptable to continue with first person in continuous chapters with additional characters? Their moments? Or does this seem like head hopping even if I separate with new chapters? Possibly this could or should be done in third person deep... What are your thoughts?
Yes. I've seen it before, though I can't think of an example offhand. I think as long as you're able to make it clear who the POV character is and keep straight the other nonsense of who knows what inherent to 1st person, then you should be good. Though that said, a bit of ambiguity and a bit of mystery never hurt a story. Except for when it does, so, you know, watch out for that. ETA: I've been told that As I lay Dying by William Faulkner does this, but I've never read it, so I can't make a first hand recommendation.
Yeah, It seems fluid to me as I write it. But of course I'm biased in the moment so I'm asking. I will look at Faulkner. I think the idea sprung up as a means to introduce the cast and I'm trying to show who they are and what they're dealing with as well as the MC (all in the moment.. like a birds-eye view of them all as the story starts).
Doesn't Faulkner have another book that also does something like this? I can't remember the title, but there are different sections in (close?) third from different characters and then the last section is in first from one of the characters. But these aren't just short chapters and aren't really skipping around. It's well laid out. Can anyone remember that book and the title? I think I remember the last section being from Katie's(?) POV? Does this sound familiar to anyone? @David Lee -- I'm not a fan of this approach, but if you are set on using it, I would give some thought to the layout and presentation of your story and how you are telling it. I would suggest long chapters or sections titled with the character's name. I wouldn't go back and forth and all over the place. A lot of writers around here ask POV questions and feel they need to include multiple POVs. But most of what I read and I like to read a lot has one character POV or is omni. You want to present your story in the clearest and cleanest way. I would give your thoughts on this some more time. Do you really need to jump all over the place? Maybe you do. I don't know. Just try to pick an approach that is going to really fit your story and not distract from it.
Yep you can. Though it can get tricky the more characters you have in play over time, and have to portray. And since it is in 1st POV they kinda all become MCs as a result (in a manner of speaking).
Yes, it is possible. One thing you can do is to use each if your character's voice. Make it clear who speaks like what at the beginning, so the reader can follow your story.
It is possible, but it gets messy the more characters you're portraying. I've used first person for some of my work, but I've not been brave enough to do it with anything more than short stories. I've seen it done a couple of times in works where there are only a few characters and their speech styles and personalities are very distinct. The key is to ensure your readers can easily figure out who's talking after they've put the book down for a day/week/month. I've also seen it done very poorly too. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it'd be something attempted when you've already got established and are fully confident in your skills as an author. It will probably also be a harder sell if you want to get your work published as it's seen as a rookie mistake by many publishers and agents. The third person is a useful literary device to keep the reader (and sometimes the author) on the straight and narrow as to who is doing and saying what and it's what many readers, publishers and agents expect.
I love the House of Night books, and they solve it very easily by starting a new scene or chapter with the name of the character it focuses on. If you start the book with the name of the MC as the chapte title, we know right away it's about him or her. If you want to switch to a new character, simply use that name as the chapter title. It gets straight to the point, and leaves out all confusion. I think that worked really well.
This reminds me of something Rick Riordan does in his Heroes of Olympus Series! Each chapter (Normally four in a row) we see how the story advances with the perspective of each character. It's not tecnically first person, it is third person, but not omniscient. The narrator only knows the thoughts of the character the chapter is focused on. The point is that it can work if done correctly. Maybe make the name as the chapter title, like the others said? Good luck with it!
*Me Before You*by Jojo Moyes uses first person by several characters, if I remember correctly. It’s done in a very specific way (the book is a fairly short read if you want to check it out), and I thought it worked well for the story and provided additional weight to the events that would have been harder to achieve from just one person’s POV. I’d say try it. You can always re-write. Or you can try writing a few chapters each way as a trial run. But ultimately, every first draft is a trial run anyway, so I’d just go for it. *Sorry for the lack of italics for the title. Selecting the correct words of the text to italicize wasn’t working well on my phone today.
You could, but whether or not you should is a different matter. Your voice would have to be distinctive for each character. If you are really skillful with that aspect of dialogue, I'd say you have a got shot of getting away with it. But keep in mind it's not a mode most readers are expecting, so you need to make the transitions at the start of each chapter very clear. It's not head hopping if you maintain your POV with great discipline within each scene/chapter. You should always keep that in mind even if you don't adopt an uncommon style. A good example of a novel written in this manner is "T is for Trespass," by the late Sue Grafton. Ms. Grafton is an excellent role model for anyone wishing to master first person narrative.
I don’t see why not. Just be sure to indicate who is the POV at the start of each chapter. I prefer third person limited since it’s easier to switch, wile having the same or similar amount of closeness. It really comes down to writing style and what you’re trying to accomplish.
Actually this is what i'm doing I guess. Or it's evolving into this format as I write. The only actual first person is the MC, all others are deep third. I would love to read this book you speak of.
Another book I remember is: The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal. There are two main protagonists and a handful of other viewpoint characters. She also uses past and present tense. Just a warning it’s very graphic, she doesn’t pull her punches.
I have used a change in POV in first person, and I agree with Big Soft Moose that you should title the page. For me I didn't have chapter names so I used a subtitle like 'Renee's Lament' and short or long I made it a chapter. That being said I would abandon first person if you need a back story or a lot of changes in POV.
It would be that old "Meanwhile back in the jungle." that your first person hasn't seen, or a plot against their life or anything out of their view. Your character will have to be told of these situations It is also difficult to segue through the use of changing POV which would disrupt the flow of the story. Also you miss out on a surprise ending. Putting you MC into a 'no hope' position and then enter with a character that you had introduced previously that would save the day. In first person that is very hard to do even with a change of POV. Anyways that is my experience with first person. I'm sure a real author would make it work and that could very well be you.
Yes. Irrespective of how much backstory or POV changes you have. It’s all a matter of what you can make work.
