Point of View Questions

  1. What are some tips for switching from third to first person writing without making it awkward or confusing?
  2. When writing in the first person what do I write instead of “I” all the time?
What are some tips for switching from third to first person writing without making it awkward or confusing?

You need to be careful. This is known as “head hopping” when not done right. Switching from third to first person in writing can be a little tricky, but there are a few things you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible:

  1. Make sure you have a clear reason for switching: The most important thing is to have a clear reason for switching from third to first person. This will help you determine the best way to make the transition. A good rule of thumb is character development. Never miss an opportunity to develop your characters.
  2. Use transitional phrases: Using transitional phrases, such as “I” or “me,” can help bridge the gap between the two points of view.
  3. Consider the perspective of the narrator: If you’re switching from third to first person, it’s important to consider the perspective of the narrator. This will help you determine the most appropriate way to make the transition.
  4. Try nesting your first person account into your third person narrative or nesting your third person narrative into your first person account. I did this in a manuscript I wrote that was in third person. I had one character, whose story was told in the third person, recount an adventure she had in the first person. This also allowed me to show her personality by telling the story through her point of view.
  5. Be consistent: Once you’ve made the switch, it’s important to be consistent with your point of view. This will help avoid confusion for your reader.
  6. Revise and proofread: As with any writing, it’s important to revise and proofread your work to ensure that it is clear and flows well. This is especially important when making a switch between points of view.

I hope this helps. By following these tips, you should be able to smoothly transition from third to first person writing without causing confusion or awkwardness for your reader.

Here are some resources I found in my research that you might find helpful.

Here are a few articles that might help.

When writing in the first person what do I write instead of “I” all the time?

One problem writers have is that they want to spell too much out for their audience. I’ts alright to be vague and let your readers imagination fly. Preferable, even. When you let your readers imagination roam free it involves them in the story.

So, instead of saying “I drove to the game.” try describing the car ride. If they’re in their office trying to ditch the boss before he can have them stay for the weekend and then we see them in the car on the freeway, the reader will put 2 and 2 together for you.

Also, try focusing on their experiences more. Incorporate some of their sense data into the narrative. Is it hot? Is it cold? Is there a strange smell in the car? A rattle in the fan? Is there a lot of glare on the road? You can describe all these things without saying the word “I” once.

You can also try focusing on action. Describe your characters heart pounding in his chest as he slinks past his boss and into the elevator. The spasmodic way the boss jerks his head around looking for the character. Try describing what’s happening around the character instead of to the character himself. Just be sure to be consistent. You can only describe things the character can actually perceive with his own senses.

He can’t describe his boss coming around the corner because he can’t see around the corner. But he can hear the bosses heavy footsteps. Hear his ragged, raspy breathing. Smell his overpowering, toilet water cologne. Try focusing on these things.

I hope that helps. I’ve also made some resources in the form of articles and videos available below.

Here are a few articles that might help.

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