Support for Indie Authors discussion

It's not unusual for a novel to have two or more narrative perspectives / points of view. But as far as I can recall, first-person narration is usually reserved for one perspective—normally the principle character.

I'm considering writing a novel with two characters' perspectives, and writing both of them in first person. It's possible one would be past tense and the other present tense. Chapters would be clearly titled with the characters' names.

I feel first person gives a sense of immediacy, and can sometimes help readers to identify with (or react to) the narrator a little more strongly. I want both characters to feel central and immediate. I also just think I just write better in first person. But I'm concerned about the potential for confusion with two "I"s narrating.

Any warnings or advice about this approach?

One of my current projects is similar to this, being told through diaries and interviews. It's broken into many short sections, each section starts with From and interview by... or From the journal of....

Along with this, I think the best thing you can do is make sure each character has a unique voice.

There are actually quite a few books around that swap between two or more first-person narratives, especially in YA. Switching between past and present can cause some confusion or be more complicated for you, but I've seen it done.

The most confusing/awkward combination that I've read was between a first-person narrative and a third-person narrative. I can't remember the tenses, but it was pretty jarring.

I don't see a problem, as long as the POV is clear.

It worked for Wilkie Collins in "The Moonstone".

I'm a sucker for questions like this. I'm really interested with pov, and I think what you're suggesting has interesting possibilities, especially if you make your book (at least in part) about this. You know, different perceptions of the same 'truth' Rashomon-style, different ways of being right and/or unreliable narrators. We all are unreliable narrators to our own lifestory, I think...

Thanks, all. It's encouraging to hear this isn't off-the-wall.

And P.D., now that you mention it, I do recall seeing multiple 1st person narrators in YA.

I'll give it a go and see how it feels.

That is one tough writing assignment. I am eager to see the end result.

Ian wrote: "I don't see a problem, as long as the POV is clear."

Concur. That's probably the most difficult part of writing dual first person narratives. The "voice" of the characters needs to be distinct. If they both have the same speech structure, idioms, etc. it is less effective and can even confuse the reader.

A great, albeit extreme, example of using this technique effectively is Irvine Welsh's trainspotting series. Some characters "think" in a Scottish patois, some don't.

Depending on your style, you may want to spend more time than you otherwise would on your character development off the page-- how/why they think, act, and talk, so you can have that in mind as you write the story.

I feel first person gives a sense of immediacy,

It's a common misconception, because as the author, and knowing the character, situation, etc., as you read it, you place the emotion you'd use when reading it to an audience. But the reader has no such luxury.

Take two versions of the same line:

1. He went to the garage to get his car and bring it out front.
2. I went to the garage to get my car and bring it out front.

In both cases the same person got the same car and brought it to the same place. Does changing a few pronouns magically bring the line to life and make it immediate? No, because you're not taking into account what really matters, which is viewpoint. And viewpoint is what changes telling to showing. Placing the reader into the protagonist's viewpoint, is what makes it immediate and personal. A condensation of one very powerful way of doing that, by Randy Ingermanson, can be found if you search on, Writing the Perfect Scene.

As for multiple first person protagonists, in general? It's been done, but it's far from common, so readers may be scratching their heads when they encounter it.

It also worked for the last of the Divergent series, Allegiant. Though I personally didn't like it at first, it allowed for one of the POV characters to be killed, and the reader continued the rest of the book in only the other first-person POV.

Also, in the romances I usually read, it's not unusual to switch between the hero's and heroine's POV.

Sharon wrote: "I'm a beta reader and editor and I can tell you that it used to be that it was only acceptable to write from one POV. Times have changed."

Must have been a very long time ago. Multiple POV is far, far from a new thing.

Deleted your comment due to the link.

Personally, I find it confusing (and I have to say, first person POV isn't my preferred to read or write). Just make sure each has a very distinct voice so it's clear who is who by word choices, pacing, etc. I've seen some books do one 1st POV and the rest 3rd... That was odd, too. It just throws you every time you switch over. Good luck!

Jay wrote: "Placing the reader into the protagonist's viewpoint, is what makes it immediate and personal."

Here Here. Agreed and I think it's all about your writing style and how you wield your words with skill and not POV.

I find it much easier to write in the first person. I am currently writing in the third person for the first time and I wouldn't do it again. As for having two main characters - I've noticed in some books they use a different font for each.

Rita wrote: "I find it much easier to write in the first person. I am currently writing in the third person for the first time and I wouldn't do it again."

I think it differs for everyone. I don't think I could write in the first person, even though it seemed likely for my current project before I started as I often thought the scenes through from the MC's PoV.