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Published : 6 months, 2 weeks ago (Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:22:44 PDT)
Searched: why-not-writing-first-person-pov
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I'll be first to admit I know squat about POVs. Even within first person, there are variations; I also know squat about those. I have ![[info - personal]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png) synecdochic's wonderfully detailed explanation bookmarked, along with a several others, but I still don't get them. If I were pressed to explain the variety of POVs out there, or even one, I could only do so by finding a fic using the particular POV, pointing, and saying "You know, it's sorta like that."
This post is only about one POV: first person. It's not a meta; I couldn't do meta if I were paid, flogged, or had fic held hostage. This is all about a single question:
What's not to like about first person POV?
Recently, at ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) stargateficrec, the lovely and kind ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) meneathiel graciously recced my Friday at 4:00. I'm always honored to be recced; I'm sure most all of you writers, and most readers can understand that. She also said something I don't recall seeing before (I also don't belong to the comm, so maybe that's why), which I'll get to in just a minute, I swear.
As I've recently started writing (26,000 words and maybe 1/3 done) a new Slave!Daniel fic, I was wondering which POV to use. stagnation13 always has some wonderful comments on my Daniel voice, so I asked if she'd give me her opinion on how Slave!Daniel was sounding. I've yet to send it to her, and maybe, after this post, I won't need to (I heard that, Stags. *g*). I wanted a second opinion, because Slave!Daniel is written in Daniel first person POV. The thing I was wondering about, is that this Daniel, and fic, are serious dramas, while not dark by any means, darker probably than anything I've ever written. When I write, it's all about trying something new, stretching my wings, or whatever. I'm not sure I can carry off a darker Daniel voice -- but there's only one way to find out, isn't there?
I've also been slowly adding tags to my fic: au, first time, est. rel., and I've been considering adding first person tags, mostly, I think, because I like labels and tagging; it makes stuff easier to find. Period.
Then, something at meneathiel's rec post (I've taken the liberty of fixing a couple of spelling typos) really got me to thinking:
Warning:Slash, First person point of view.
Re-Warning. I give this purely because I know some people dislike first person points of view. Not me obviously, but I thought I'd give a heads up.
I'm very happy meneathiel likes first person, and my fic. I also totally understand why she put in a warning for POV. I have no problem with that. This is also not a post about warnings. It's about first person POV.
I've heard/read that some people dislike or avoid reading first person POV fic, though I couldn't point you to where. For the record, I have no problem with any POV; I'll read and enjoy any POV, and I've never made any distinction when reccing, but I apparently do regarding my writing. Below are the three fics I've written in first person POV, along with how I labeled them (beyond the basics of length, rating, etc.) at my fic list, and/or the fic post, along with a POV example.
This was the easiest fic I ever wrote, hands down. Words flowed faster than I could type. This is how my brain sounds; I kid you not.
Daniel Will Say Anything My first shot at first person POV.
Excerpt:
Jack says I tend to ramble, but at least you’re caught up now.
I can hear you agreeing with him, you know.
Then came my second attempt. I always wanted to try a serial format. Believe it or not, this fic wasn't meant to be a riff of Anais' fabulous Diaries, but it is humor, and Daniel keeps a journal; comparisons were inevitable. All of which is beside the point; this was about writing something that took place over a matter of days, that's all. (The fic that prompted it is off the net and not for sharing, and wasn't first person.) It was written for chattycatsmeow in the 2008 Jack/Daniel Ficathon. Again, easy (except for the deadline), because this is how my brain sounds. Maybe that's why I like this POV?
How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Daniel Jackson Daniel first person POV.
Excerpt:
It was then that I finally felt that not only was I back where I belonged, I knew that I belonged with Jack. Preferably in Jack's house. In Jack's bed. In ... well, you get the idea.
Then this last one was all about writing an AU. In talking with tejas the other day, after she read this, I told her the words all but flowed from my fingertips without any prior planning on where the story was going. I'm beginning to see why I like writing first person. But easier writing, doesn’t mean better. This must be my brain when you take away the humor. :)
Friday at 4:00 Huh. I didn't add a first person POV label - though I now plan on doing so. Instead, I labeled it like this: My first Alternate Universe fic. It seemed to be (besides the regular labels) the only thing worth mentioning.
Excerpt:
I lower my voice now, and while not seductive, this is as close as I get to selling myself. "Or ... I can talk to you, find out what you like, what you want, and I can create a one-of-a-kind piece -- or pieces -- for you. You can be involved as much, or as little, as you want." Daniel purses his lips and I'm almost jealous of the long finger he taps against them. I try not to care that he's not wearing a ring. "Either works for me," I assure him, slowly. "It depends on how involved you want to be in the process." I add with a drawl, "And on just how particular you are."
I also have to say that these three stories are probably among my top five favorite things I ever wrote. All of them were recced at stargateficrec and by others, and two of them won, or are current nominees for fic awards. So, I think it's safe to say that they're probably pretty good, and I maybe have some kind of handle on first person with these characters. You are of course free to disagree. :)
Would these stories have been better with a different POV? We'll never know; it's only opinion, after all. Would more people have read them? Personally, all I can think is that it's their loss if they avoided them based on the POV alone.
So, before I get back to Slave!Daniel, and maybe before we all get those Ficathon assignments, answer me this: what's not to like about first person POV? I like it, a lot.
Anyway I'm sorry but that just happens to be how I feel about it. What do you think?
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