The Complete Guide to Writing Fiction in First Person

In terms of point of view (POV), most authors either write in first person (using the pronoun “I”) or third person (using the pronouns “he,” “she,” or “they”). Here, I’ll cover the ins and outs of first person, including:

• Advantages and disadvantages of a close POV
• Types of first-person narrators and narrative forms
• Past vs. present tense
• First person in young adult vs. literary fiction
• A writing exercise

Advantages

First person is a highly versatile point of view, and its limited scope is both a blessing and a curse. As far as advantages, it allows you to…

1. Establish an immediate emotional connection

The audience is granted access to the protagonist’s innermost thoughts and feelings. Readers view the world through that character’s unique lens, as if they’re hearing a story told by a close friend. In the case of likable characters, their emotions often guide the audience’s reaction. Their happiness is your happiness; their sorrow is your sorrow.