Hi, everyone! I am struggling with whether or not to write my novel from the 1st person point of view or the 3rd person limited (or even omniscient) point of view. There are pros and cons to both, so I just can't decide! I'd love your feedback. Let me know of more pros/cons to the different point of views. And if you feel strongly about one, as well, tell me about it! Generally speaking, the novel is about a teen who came out of a somewhat abusive relationship, but not unscathed. He ran away from home, convinced by his "friend" to do so, and throughout the time, this friend emotionally manipulated the MC so he wouldn't leave him. When he does decide to leave, his friend killed himself. The MC was on his way back to him, feeling guilty about leaving him to begin with, when he heard the shot and found him. The resulting trauma causes him to develop PTSD, and, finally back home and at college, the MC is struggling with his relationships (especially with his family and boyfriend). 1st person point of view On the surface, it would make sense for me to write this through the 1st person POV. It sounds like it's going to be a YA novel, and YA follows a trend of 1st person. Furthermore, readers may feel like they could relate better with this point of view. The cons: PTSD and related mental health problems may result in gaps in a first person narrative, due to memory problems or mental breakdowns. While this could add an interesting element to the story, it may be jarring to the reader. 3rd person limited point of view My natural inclination is to 3rd person. This was my original idea for the novel until I began to think of the positives of 1st person. 3rd person to me is great because, personally, I can apply a kind of distance between me and my character. I can write about my feelings without actually writing about myself! It is what I am better at. Objectively, 3rd person allows for a more nuanced narrative. I can apply both the MC's observations and my own observations as an author. Also, I feel like I am less likely to run into cringy cliches as I am with 1st person, given the point of view would be that of a deluded, romantic, and troubled teenager. The cons: I risk isolating my readers, given the topic seems more naturally 1st person. 3rd person omniscient point of view This is just an idea I'm playing with. It would be interesting to go into the minds of not only the MC, but his family members and partner. It would paint a more holistic picture of trauma and how it affects everyone involved. The cons: It may get too convoluted fast.
There's no reason at all why close third person should distance your reader. The distance is an option--an option that you don't have with first person. In fact, I think that a reader trapped in an anguished teenager's first person POV without a break is likely to want some distance. The only issue I see is the market one. Is YA so overwhelmingly first person that close third is unthinkable? Edited to add: you can get those other people with third person limited and changing POV at scene or chapter breaks. That would be my (amateur) recommendation.
I really like books that are written in a 3rd person omniscient pov, and I think your topic is a good one to do this with. It would allow you to easily fill in 'memory gaps' etc, and would provide an interesting element of character development by allowing other characters to kind of weigh-in on your MC. Just my humble opinion though!
YA still has 3rd person books being published. First is more common, but you should do it how you want:
