There's More to 'I' Than You Think

First person narrating is reader friendly. It makes you connect with the main-character, like you're his/her best friend. When used correctly, it's an excellent way of sucking your character into your book.

It has the potential of being a writer and a reader's best friend, but it also has a way of being a writer's downfall, as well as a reader's torture.

PROS

1. Make it unique, make it interesting, make it fast

When you're writing from a character's perspective, you often have an idea of what that character is like already floating around in your head. You can implement that personality into your writing easily. Fit in your main character's thoughts here and there, make that character interact with others in a unique and interesting way, and voila! you have a surefire way of snagging readers with your distinct and engrossing character.

2. Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number...(okay I'll just shut up now...)

When a book is written in first-person, I often finding myself wondering, 'Would I react to this scenario like the main character did?' I find myself connecting with the MC's actions and feelings, and thus I find myself more interested in that character, and therefore more interested in the book. The main character quickly becomes my personal BFF in the book-world she is guiding me through.

CONS

1. Why are you so stupid, Main Character?

Realize that the whole plot of your book is inside the main character's head. So anything that the main character doesn't experience in some way...well, you just can't include it.

So, what if this detail is important to the overall plot line but you can't include it because the main character wasn't there when it happened? What if all the other characters know something the main character doesn't and the reader HAS to know what the main character doesn't know but the main character is the narrator of the story so how does the reader find out that information?

I'm sorry. Really, I'm very very sorry. I cannot help you.

2. One viewpoint, one story. One direction. (just made a 1D reference right there...anyone? anyone?)

When writing from one viewpoint, you'd better be sure that it is a viewpoint that can take you through the WHOLE ENTIRE story without becoming boring. Which means your character better be interesting...AND consistent. If you have a bland POV, the reader will become aware of the fact that your character is not interesting, and therefore your book is not interesting. And as for consistency...if your character is moody and angry for one chapter and happy and joyful for another chapter for absolutely no reason, your reader gets disoriented and confused, and will thus let go of your book.

Happy writing!

See Veronica Roth's comment on first-person writing here.

My Voice is a Bit Hoarse

There are times when I wonder if I'm all over the place in terms of my writing 'voice'. Sometimes my writing is reminiscent of a snobby elitist, and other times my writing looks like the a conversation between two average 16-year-old teenagers (sprinkled with 'likes' and 'you knows', stuff like that, you know).

If you can put your own personality into your writing, then by god, you can put anything into your writing. After all, it is a feat to put yourself into your writing, because doing that requires a heck of a lot of heart and soul.

When your writing has strong voice, your writing has charisma. It's almost as if you're watching a TV show or a movie...in your brain! The actors are all there (the words) and you're the director (the writer). Arrange the words well, make them create beautiful things, and voila, you have a masterpiece (well, that's a bit of an overstatement). 

Having trouble finding voice? This is what I do:

For an informal essay (maybe even a literary analysis):

• write the way you think (directly on to your paper--don't worry about grammar and spelling, that can wait until later). This makes your writing more relatable. 

• do your pondering before hand (if you're planning on making deep observations about human nature, don't ponder on the page--no one likes to see the messy thinking process, one wants to see the finished and complete idea) 

• be passionate (if it's an informal essay, that means you have a lot of freedom! If you believe in something, write strongly about it. A toned down voice is just plain boring--save it for the research paper) 

For a formal essay:

• be sure about what you're writing about (do research beforehand, not during! If you have facts and quotes to back you up, then your writing will be sound, and you'll naturally speak in an active voice, rather than a passive voice that is unsure) 

• avoid using vague words, specificity is key! Bump up adjectives like 'good' and 'bad' with words like 'benevolent' and 'monstrous'.

Hope that helps!