I’ve been thinking a lot about narration as I’ve been reading books by both self-published and traditionally published authors. Narration is tough. It has to fit the story just right in order to work. It can be limiting if you choose the wrong type of narration. First person keeps you from exploring other characters and situations while third person keeps you from helping to build a character’s personality. Making the wrong choice can be a big mistake. In response to this, I wrote the article, “Creating a Narrator’s Voice for a Novel” for HubPages.
Playing with narration
More experimental forms of narration have been a huge success with some novels. However, it takes a gifted writer to pull them off. This includes writing in multiple character voices, creating fake publications that reference the events of the story, or even incorporating modern forms of communication such as texting and email.
Humor and horror are two other elements that narration can either harm or support. So, it has to be done right. The written word is easy to misinterpret without the subtle nuances of a person’s voice and expressions saying the words to you. This is why writers are always told to read their work aloud. A joke can come off as corny or offensive while horror can easily become hokey or ineffective.
In my article, I ask readers to vote on their favorite type of narration: first, second, third, or other. Please let me know in the comments, either here or on HubPages, if you voted, what you voted for, and why.
Also, let me know if this article has helped you with your current work in progress. I’d love to know what you find challenging about narration.
Thank you for these tips. I’ve fallen out of the habit of writing creatively and I’m so rusty!
Thanks! I hope it’s helpful.
Wonderful tips – I haven’t touched my novel in over a year. But this year may finally be the time I pick it up again in preparation for National Novel Writing Month.
Awesome. I’m struggling to finish my latest as well. Sometimes it just takes that one little idea to turn it all around.
I voted for first person because I really enjoy getting into the mind of a character. I’ve only written one novel in my life, but felt first person really helped me understand my character. Though I do feel like it’s limiting in terms of explaining other character situations.
Thanks for voting! I’ve written from both first and third person, and both are fun to write. For me, I think it depends on how close the character matches my personality. I’ve only written one book where a boy was the main character, and that one was in the third person perspective. I think it would be harder to write first person from a boy’s perspective, but it would also be an interesting challenge.
Nice post. I prefer first person because for much of my work I imagine myself as the character or really am, such as with memoiristic essays.
Thanks! Yes, I think writing style is a big part of that decision. SO, it makes sense that you choose first person because it works best for your storytelling approach.