Writing Dilemma - 1st or 3rd person

Though it wasn't always a simple decision whenever I started a story, I used to think I had it figured out.
It sort of came natural to get inside a character's mind and share the narrator's limited viewpoint. As a result I used to enjoy writing in 1st person. I still do.

However as I got to developing other characters and a more complex story, it no longer became a cut and dry decision. I tried to compromise by switching between viewpoints (splitting off on chapters) and a 3rd person voice to bridge the gaps.

Now in 2011, as I'm rewriting parts of the story, I'm contemplating if it is worth dropping off that 1st person cliff and using 3rd person for most, if not all of the stories. I'll greatly miss the 1st person voice, but the 3rd person voice may work out better in the long run. It's a trade off as with any decision.

When I am unsure of something , I turn to the web and do a search. I like to see what other people have to say on the same matter. This posting helped push me over that cliff.

That said, I'm trying it out. I've conducted a few trial stories using 3rd person limited to a character or a couple of characters. I've done it before, various years. So far the results have been pleasing with most attempts. It may not be much of a loss to make the switch from 1st to 3rd person narration. I'll see.


So far I notice these differences with my own writing:

1st person: easy to get into the thoughts of a character. I can write what the character is thinking. What the character is feeling, not so much. I can write what the character thinks he or she is feeling. Things like body language tend to get dropped off. It's hard to see what the narrating character is doing when they are talking or thinking. At least I find it harder. The narrator becomes an "existence". At least that is my best attempt at describing the experience of living as a sentient being taking in all the outside stimuli and making sense out of my environment.

3rd person: Body language of the character becomes much easier to describe. What the character is feeling also becomes easier to describe. It is easier to break through situations where the character doesn't know what they are feeling or think they feel one way but really feel another. (unless the character's internal confusion is something I want to play off, then that effect seems to get lost easier than in 1st person) But getting into the thoughts of the character seem to be trickier. I can do it, but it feels more distant and doesn't make as much sense. But this distance may not be a bad thing. Just takes getting used to. Limiting to one character at a time helps to keep some mystery about other characters as well as the whole plot (something that is nice with 1st person). I also get the "existance" without having to be involved in the story (so to speak).

I'm interested to see what your viewpoints are on 1st and 3rd person narrated stories? Which do you prefer to read?

A moment of wondering

Sometimes dreams die hard. I'm in a pensive mood right now. I've been working on a story since probably about 1995. It's grown through leaps and bounds as I've grown up and revised it. A single story developed into a whole series. I dream of making something out of it, but... The opportunities are just not there. I wonder if I should keep on hoping I'll find an agent for it and get some of the work published...or if I should just make a blog and publish it free on the internet? The latter would make sure that people get a chance to read the story, but it also means the end of my dream of seeing it in a published book form. I'm coming to the terms my story may never be popular enough for the mainstream to enjoy. After all, insect like creatures are a hard sell... It would take a very small percentage of the population to enjoy.



No matter what, one thing is for certain is that I can't stop writing it. I've grown attached to the characters and enjoy working on their struggles. I entertain myself by writing in a simple MS word (now Open office) document. Occasionally I sketch and paint out rough illustrations.

2011

A new year. First month almost over in a day. Darn. Where did all that time go? Anyways I am trying to get back into writing as I haven't really had time to take pictures this winter. Dusting off my old rough drafts from 2007/2008. It's amazing what I find. I think I was a better writer then...but then again there are also things needing revision. Some revision needs are huge and others are just plain annoying little awkward errors.

For those just tuning into my blog or stumbling upon it, I write stories about insect people. These guys aren't the creepy icky looking things you find outside. They are people with insect-like features, without the creepy mandibles. One of those great things that bothered me was what I called the older workers taking care of the children in the colony. I called them "Caregivers" but I feel "Guide" is more suited to their role.

Interestingly when I started writing this whole thing (back in 6th and 7th grade, wow!) I used to call them "Guides". Now I am going back. There are other things to sort out, but I'll take those things as I come to them. Most notably their history, and other things I rather not spoil by saying here. If you stumble upon samples in my blog that show inconsistency, that is probably why. I plan to go back and change the story samples on my blog (Artwork and writing), but it may be a while yet. My priorities are working on the actual rough drafts.

This guy looks like he can answer just about any question you may have about ant folk....


Or maybe not. LOL.

Jumping off a cliff - with microsoft

I need a new computer. It goes so slow, doesn't do HD video streaming well. Not to mention the hard drive is making unusual noises. I've been putting up with a compaq presario, from like since 2003. I've seen enough screen shots and heard enough of windows vista that I know to stay clear...I'm not sure windows 7 is much better. My software is out of date. My keyboard(s) are shot. The mouse still works okay,though takes up a usb port. The next best thing, I figured is to go ahead and make the switchover to a mac.

Now that I ordered one,I anxiously wait and prepare to rebuild my system and get the software I need. it may take a while. I don't do credit cards or charge if I can avoid it. I buy big things by saving my money and not spending it all on little things like ordering lunch every day. Bag lunches are cheaper. Having no car is a pain, but that also means no gas to pay for and no insurance to have to pay on it either. If all goes to plan,and no unplanned events/expenses occur, I shall be able to buy photoshop CS in another month or two.

There are some things I will miss. Petz used to be one of my favorite games and time wasting projects. I haven't played it in years, so I doubt I'll miss it any more than I do now. Some other games will be lost, but then again I probably could still find mac versions of those old games that are even better(bugdom.)If not, then it isn't really a big deal. After all the main thing I want it for is to operate photoshop (CS5) and whatever else I wish to do with my art and photography.

Leap Frogging Buses

I'm not sure what it is "officially" called. The scenario: You're waiting at a bus stop. The bus comes. Right behind it is another bus of the same route number.
How did that happen? Was it a mistake? Did one driver fall behind schedule and then end up near the bus behind them by 15-20 min or did the driver get ahead of schedule and then meet up with the bus that would have been in front by about 15-20 min? Then the all important question: Should you enter the first bus or the bus right behind it?

Whenever my dad came across the situation, he advised me to take the rear bus, thinking that the one in front is overloaded with people and behind. When I am in the situation it seems either bus I take ends up full and takes longer than the other, or that both get pretty close to my desired stop at about the same time. It seems they take turns as the front/rear bus anyway. Maybe I am just unlucky.

A wow moment....followed by a darn I wish I had my camera moment

This morning on my way to work, I saw perhaps the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life (or at least in a very long time.) And darn it, it happened to be winter, my least favorite season!

Trees are very beautiful things decorated with leaves that fit each season; green in summer, flame red, orange, and yellow in the fall, and lovely pink, red and white blossoms in the spring, but what about winter? The bare skeletons left behind create an interesting pattern with a lace like quality, but still no leaves. Those trees lucky to have leaves are withered and brown. Pine trees and evergreens are the few that hold any green.

This morning every tree, branch, and shrub was adorned with a new set of leaves - pure white frost. There was something very mystical and unbelievable about it all. Everywhere I looked, it was a perfect scene out of painting, or several paintings. I was nearly in tears. Words could not describe the scene before my eyes. Cloudy skies formed a soft gray backdrop. Everything in the horizon dropped into a thick veil of misty frozen fog. Near the window wispy crystal flakes whipped up and swirled around the air.

The news team referred to it as Hoar Frost (though the term "Rime frost" could also possibly describe the conditions.) Whatever frost it was, was created by the dense fog and the very cold temperatures.

As much as I wanted to savor the moment, my ride ended and I had to go to work. No time for pictures. This time, it was probably good that I didn't have my camera or the time to shoot pictures. Being stuck on the light rail, my attention would have been focused on trying to shoot moving targets. Disappointment with whatever shots I missed or got rendered poorly by movement blur, window reflections and blocked by obstacles would be inevitable. Without the camera, I was left to take in all I could see to create a lasting vivid memory. Still, it would have been nice for blogging sake to have a picture...maybe some day I'll paint one.

LOST

Just saw LOST tonight. Was that ever a weird episode or what? I wasn't really surprised with the plot opening. So far it seems to be sort of going the way I wondered about.

For those who haven't seen it and want a mild spoiler: It looks like it opens up with a couple different timelines; one if things went the way they "should" have if they had fixed everything and if the island wasn't there, and the other with their attempt to change the future failing.
I had a hunch if the characters could fix everything to be the way they wanted, it probably wouldn't be ideal, and that what did happen on the island was probably the best they could get (even considering all the bad things.) Will be interesting to see how this continues thoughout the final series.

It kind of begs the question with our daily lives, if we had the chance to do things over would they really be better?

On a side note, it appears that comment moderation only works with the account that the blog was created with, not the one that I've been using to post lately. Appologies for the delay.