Wednesday, February 16, 2011

YA lit and first person narrative

I've noticed a trend lately. There's a good chance you've noticed it too if you read YA literature. It doesn't matter the genre really, this trend seems to fit any category. And no, it's not vampires.

It's first person narrative.

I suppose I should back up for the possibility that some of you have no idea what I'm talking about. Quick rundown time! First person, second person, and third person are the three basic types of point-of-view narration in writing. Here are the differences:

First Person: I like squid because they are cute.
Second Person: You like squid because they are cute.
Third Person: Sarah likes squid because they are cute.
I dare you to say Mr. Bobtail Squid isn't cute.
Now for some real life application: First person takes place in the head of a character. Second person is generally limited to Choose Your Own Adventure novels and instruction pamphlets. Third person is outside of a character's head and can take the form of a narrator. Ultimately, first person is really intimate, second person pulls the reader into the action, and third person can zoom in and out of narrative focus.

Now let's get back to what I was saying.

I don't have anything against first person narrative, but it's starting to feel like whenever I pick up a new YA book, it's always in first person! Maybe it's because it's so easy for people to relate to something written in first person, or maybe it's because all of the current writers happen to really like first person. Either way, first person narratives are really popular right now and I'm curious about the whys of the matter.

Personally, I've always felt that third person has a delightful flexibility. First person is fun to read and write too, but I usually stick to third. Which is maybe why this whole first person narrative explosion is confusing to me. I'm biased. So I'm turning the question to you guys.

Are you partial to the first, second, or third person narrative? Is one better than the other? Why? Do you like to write in one and read in another? Or doesn't it make a difference? Please tell me in the comments.

11 comments:

Fletch8502 said...

I almost consistently write in third person limited, but I love to read first person narrative. I like to write like an outsider looking in, but when I'm reading, I want to feel like I'm in the story. Contradictory? Yes. I just hope my readers won't mind. =)

Quitting My Day Job

Brenna Braaten said...

I'm not necessarily partial to either. I think it depends on what the story needs and what's working within it. It also depends on the writer and how best they're connecting to the story. But, I agree there is a definite trend lately. I changed my POV because I kept switching to first when I was writing. It DEMANDED to be written in first, so I went with it. But I still like third.

SqueezeBoxPharm said...

I've noticed this trend too, and I'm not a big fan. First person feels too limited to me, and if I'm not enamored with the character it can make them more irritating *coughcoughMarycoughcough*.

Sarah Robertson said...

Haha, I'm sure they won't! After all, Cassandra Clare in one of the few that writes in third person and she has a fanbase army. :)

Sarah Robertson said...

I've actually been having this issue where I keep trying to write in present tense . . . even though I hate writing in present tense! Maybe for my next WIP. That would be an exciting new endeavor. :D

Sarah Robertson said...

I think it really depends on the book

Kate Robertson said...

I like third person.... and the squid is cute....

Sarah Robertson said...

Haha, I'm glad you like the squid! I pride myself in being able to pick cute squid specimens.

Brenna Braaten said...

I think you should totally give it a try.

max said...

How dare you? You know how I feel about squids.

Sarah Robertson said...

Okay, I suppose YOU have permission to not think he's cute. :3

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