Figuring out how to start the story is something you have to do on your own. It's your story, not mine. I shared my opinion that I don't think you should use a prologue, and I gave you a link to a thread that discusses the pros and cons of using one. That's all I can do for you.
You see this as a bad thing. I see it as a good thing. A very good thing. Maybe it's because a large percentage of my reading is mysteries, but I think that a book (mystery or not) that explains everything that has happened or is happening, is likely to be a really boring book. It still offers the mystery of what's going to happen, but I think that mystery regarding what has happened and what is happening is also valuable.
I mean. Really? No context? Just dive into this crazy stew of stuff? I mean. The cop, military and bounty hunters all suddenly coming out of the woods to find this person. Gangs getting destroyed by both. People being angry, sad, scared. You wouldn't want some clue into why this terrorist is getting such a reaction? Definitly the fake. Most people seem to think it is her story. lol
Well, but if you allow the characters to talk to each other, there will be lots of clues. "The St. Matthew Church terrorist? No. I don't buy it. Someone doesn't commit mass murder, take a twenty year break, and come back and start again." "Fifteen years." "Whatever. The principle still stands." "Maybe she didn't vanish. Maybe she's been in prison, for something else." Just those four lines provide a lot of backstory, right?
Never? OK, I'm sure that there are times when they're valuable, but I've never actually seen one that (1) was valuable and (2) needed to be named a prologue. The prologue of Rumer Godden's In This House of Brede, for example, was dandy, but I felt that it was a dandy Chapter 1.
Can I ask you on the shifting POV idea I have now? Which would be opening maybe with a father/daughter. The father being a cop. The daughter being the fake terrorist. Per @Lea`Brooks suggesting revealing that she is the terrorist pretty early. Shifting between the cops(father and others) and the fakes perspective. That is until the real one arrives at which point her perspective joins the rotation. Seem good? Or a okay start?
Yeah, I think that works fine. I suspect I would maintain more secrecy for longer, but that's purely purely a personal preference thing; I don't necessarily think that my preference is actually better.
It really depends on your story - mood - audience. I always have been a fan of using the first person. Doing quite a bit of fiction myself that does a lot of "I's" and "me's". Kristine
I usually do a third person narration as it allows for people not to know all the thoughts of the main characters or other characters. I find it fun to do. First person is a bit too personal sometimes.
I read almost entirely first-person books, so maybe that's why I only write using first person ? I know that using the third person is better in terms of knowing the feelings of all the characters etc and not only the main one, but to me it sounds so outdated, it reminds me of the deadly boring 19th century novels I had to read in highschool.
You can switch POV characters in first person or even alternate between first and third if you need to get other characters' thoughts and feelings in.
That may mean that it would be worthwhile grabbing some early 21st century third-person novels just to get yourself to the point where you can stomach third person. I'm not saying that you won't end up writing first person, but I think it's good to have the option.
This is a good advice , and I have already read some 21st century-third person novel, and even if I enjoy the novel because of the story and the plot, I have to admit I'm not as into it as the 1st person novels. If I read a 3rd person novel, it's really because I find the story to be very interesting, but I just don't like the way it's written and it shows in the fact that I don't really care for the characters etc. It's maybe because with the first person, I feel "close" and can identify to the characters. Now that I think about it, the only exception to what I said, are actually 19th century novels by authors that I do like, such as Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde etc.. and was not forced to read by teachers. I think I like 3rd person only in old novels, because I feel like it's authentic, but in modern novels, I just don't like it, I feel like it's ancient and not adapted to the present day, even though as I said I did read some modern 3rd person nvoels that I liked =).
I'm curious as to which ones you've read? I'm wondering if the issue might have been something other than purely third person. I realize that I'm probably in denial in trying to find third person that you can like. I have a mild preference for third person, but can happily read either third or first. But I simply can't stomach present tense; I've tried and will try again, but I haven't succeeded in tolerating it. So I should accept the fact that someone can't stomach third person.
This. I'll happily read either, if they're written well, but when I write it's invariably in first-person. I think if I'm honest, it's because I'm more comfortable with this POV and find it easier. Otherwise I wouldn't like to read third-person either... which isn't the case.
Both are equally good. I have read good and well written books in first person too and of course third person writing style is very common. If you want to keep yourself away from other writers, do go for first person, provided you can handle the story very well.
I'm going minimalist this time: 1st person, obligate reflexive, continuous tense. I'm calling it "Solipstense".
In first person view, the person can also kind of narrate in third person yeah? Or that's what they are doing naturally / anyway? Fuck I have no clue what I am talking about.
Because I really want to focus in on the feels, the human experience for my first novel, I am contemplating writing it first person.
How about "Papa Can You Hear Me?" 2nd person, Barbara Streisand-as-cute-yeshiva-boy tense! Total feels up'n'er.
If you're used to writing it one way, it would be good to try a hand at writing it the other way. I personally write always in third person because I insist being the narrator and I need to know what every character is thinking at any given time. I guess I'm a bit of a control freak in that sense, but I personally don't like how limited writing in first person is. You never get true, honest looks at what the other characters truly think. That's not a *bad* thing, mind you. Just a personal writing preference. I read anything in any format. Good luck!
