Hearing Voices
When I started writing His Bewitching Guardian last year, I knew I would have to avoid sounding too contemporary. It was set in Regency England so some things they just couldn’t say. Some words wouldn’t have left a proper young lady’s lips and some words hadn’t even been created yet. It would have sounded ridiculous to have my hero call his friends “dudes” or have a girl talk about PMS.
It was a tough modification, but I bumbled through. There are definitely moments where my Linguistics major CP Jordan still points out these errors but I think, like anything else, that it's possible to get used to watching out for things. You start noticing when a word might not fit and where you might have to avoid informal language.
I’ve started a new project. It’s a YA Paranormal tentatively titled Touched. All of a sudden, I’m able to sound as contemporary as I want.
Now I have to worry about using contemporary language that feels clichéd. 'Cause really, who says gnarly anymore?
I should be breathing a sigh of relief. I won’t be looking up the type of underpants girls in 19th Century England wore. Yippee! But, now I have to worry about what kind of underpants a teenage girl in Generic American Town would wear if she were a normal girl who ran cross country, sort of hid in sweatshirts, and avoided conversations. Not that her underpants will show up in my book (I suspect anyway) but character development is important.
My YA is also in 1st person. The story made it necessary, but I’m still getting used to the idea. Thank goodness our Quartermaster writes a slamming first person and is holding my hand a little bit here.
So, this historical 3rd person writer, accustomed to using more formal language, avoiding pronouns, and in possession of a healthy disdain for dialogue tags, is wrestling with her contemporary 1st person voice. A whole new world has opened up to me.
I’m still exploring my horizons.
Do you prefer 1st person or 3rd person novels? Do you write 1st or 3rd person? What do you think are the benefits of each POV? Do you think some stories just require a certain POV? Any 1st person stories that really stick out to you? Any historicals you've noticed language that felt too contemporary?
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35 comments:
I'm reading a Regency historical pubbed in 2003 that is so loaded with contemporary language (the feisty heroine is always saying 'okay')that I may have to throw it against the wall.
I started a first-person thing once. It was tons of fun to do. I may get back to it. Good luck with yours! I work with teens, but I'm not going to ask them what kind of underwear they wear for you. I'd get fired.
I'm not fond of contemp language in historicals and yes I've read a few that didn't ring true and got a good buckin' against the wall.
And I love reading both third and first person... but first person is harder to do and so many authors F*uck it up. Sorry it's the truth. I've tried my hand at it... I'm not sure I'm any good :)
I love Keri Arthur's and Sarah Monette's first persons. They are by far the best for giving a range of every characters emotions and situation. I find some 1st person writers forget about others reactions in sitty's aside from the character they are telling it through. I'm sure there are a few more I'm forgetting, but a story told well in first person, won't jar you into realizing you are reading first person--if that makes sense.
Maggie - I completely understand that sentiment. I taught HS too and I think I might have been shocked by their answers to stuff. Not that I wasn't a little crazy at that age, but they look so young to me now. LOL!! And "Okay?" That would get on my nerves too!!
Tiff - I think 1st is harder to do too. But I love how close it feels.
Sometimes 1st annoys me because it feels like the author is trying too hard. It's almost as if you have to not mind letting the reader hear every little thing. With 3rd I think it's easier to hide stuff.
And I agree about the author forgetting other's reactions. And I like how you said that "a story told well in first person won't jar you into realizing you are reading first person." Soooo true.
I'm excited for you Marn, not only taking on a new project, but doing something completely different! It makes it fun, don't you think? And completely nerve racking I'll bet LOL
I have been thinking about writing a YA (in the moderately distant future), but I'm not sure I can do the snarky, teenage voice justice.
I have written mostly in third person, but I did try to do first person in my last book, and I think it turned out well. It's definitely a switch and you have to really really think about your tenses as you're going along. Because usually first person also changes the tense. You feel like you should write in present tense, rather than past, as you traditionally do in third person.
But it was SO fun! I loved trying something new, and learning new characters through an entirely different vantage point, because that's exactly what first person does.
I can read first or third person and usually enjoy both. However, I love to get into the heads of several characters so third will probably always be my first love.
I started reading a first person last week that was written in present tense (as JK mentions) and I didn't like it. Put it down and picked up something else.
Lisa Kleypas has done the best first person stuff with her contemporaries. She did it so well that readers will always call Blue Eyed Devil Hardy's story even though the entire book was told through Haven's eyes.
Forgot to say go you on the new story and new genre! Sounds like you're having fun with it and that's how you know it's working. Can't wait to read it.
JK - Thanks! I'm having fun with it. It is different though, coming at it from this angle. Emotions feel more immediate in first person. It's a little disconcerting and I feel like it's a little harder to keep removed from the action. Something that takes some getting used to.
I'm not sure if I can do the snarky teenage voice thing either. In fact, I'm not trying to be snarky. I'm a little sarcastic all on my own, so I think that's in there. Ok ok... I'm a little more than a little sarcastic a lot of the time. I hope that works well enough.
I guess we'll see. Even if it doesn't work, it's really helping me flex my creative muscles and I suppose any practice flexing those muscles is a worthwhile endeavor.
And yay you flexing your muscles too! It is fun. And I love trying new things too. Just to see if I can pull it off. :)
PS, Thanks Ter. It is fun so far. I'll post a little for you guys to read soon, so you can tell me what you think.
Ter - I haven't read Blue Eyed Devil, though I've heard good things. And that's cool about people calling it Hardy's story. Sort of like The Great Gatsby. It's 1st person from Nick's perspective but I don't know if it's really Nick's story.
I do think not being able to get into multiple heads is a problem with 1st. Especially if (as Tiff mentioned) an author doesn't really give us what the other characters are doing or how they're acting.
Things to keep in mind as I go forward.
I think I prefer 1st person. I love how it draws me in so completely into that character that it isn't a story anymore--it's happening. 3rd person gives too much opportunity for head-hopping which I'm having LESS AND LESS PATIENCE for as I read more 3rd person novels.
And I don't really care what the hero is thinking. I have my suspicions it's: "Lord almighty, she's hot" and "I wonder how soon I can get her into bed." And it just repeats, with some sort of commercials of ESPN stats and highlights. Or golfing techniques.
Marnee, I'm sure you'll be great in 1st person. :) *winks at Tiff* And I sure hope Tiffany wasn't speaking about me when she said some authors totally bollocks up 1st person.
I've noticed the more I write in 1st, the harder it is to go back to 3rd...it doesn't sound natural. I think that's part of my problem with the new manuscript since it's in 3rd person--and it does "flow" like the other book did.
OH, and the heroine's underwear is boycut hipsters.
Oh, and I agree: I hate present tense first person. It makes me want to go through and correct it to past perfect tense.
I had never seen a first person book in present tense before. I couldn't get into the story with it written that way. And I really wanted to read the book as it's about a single mom and her daughter, but I have no idea if I'll give it another go.
To you think some stories just call for first person? Are most YA books written in first person these days?
1st? 2nd? You completely lost me somewhere back there…. All I keep thinking about is that Abbott & Costello baseball routine. Could you imagine having Those Guys for Your critique partners? The conversation might go like
“Who’s on first?”
“The 1st person?’
“Then who’s on second?”
“Uhhh…. The narrator?”
Julie
Common… yah know you want me to critique your WIP!?
Awh, Marn, you called my first person slammin'. I don't think they've used slammin' in years hon. LOL I was trying to think of the appropriate word but I'm not that hip either, though I do have a love of the slang language.
I will only write in first person. After my third person debacle of early '08, I'm not going to do that to myself ever again. Too stressful to look through objectively. Makes me feel weird to write third person.
I picked up a Christopher Pike book the other day (a real old school one) and realized it was present tense first person. I think the author really has to have a handle on it to make it work. I couldn't make it work. It would be ridiculous and make me sound slightly dopey.
I think some novels just call for first person. Lately, I've seen more of it. Must be all the rage.
I like deep deep POV, especially if it's done in 3rd person and I can get into the minds of the hero and the heroine. I think I've just read too much bad 1st person - and it can get really bad (not to say 3rd can't). If 1st person is done very very well, I can handle it, but otherwise I'll always go for 3rd person.
That being said, if a 3rd person author starts hopping between heads, that book will hit the wall in he first chapter. I detest head-hopping. But 3rd is still my love.
One of my favorite authors new book is in first person, present tense, and I couldn't read it. I wanted too, since I usually love her books, but I just couldn't get through it in 1st and present tense.
Julie--I'd totally have you as a Crit Partner. *LOL* Just because I'd love to see you re-enact the Abbott and Costello bit. *LOL*
Slang: you know all my slang words are the following: "Sweet" (which I acquired from a college student who worked for me or I wouldn't be that hip now even); "Wicked" (still my favorite); and "Awesome" (which I use WAY too often).
I did use the word "spunk" yesterday, as slang form, not as "she's got spunk" (although I think that might work both ways now that I think on it)--and I rather horrified myself when it popped out of my mouth. But I blame Judy from the library. She was talking about Robert Pattinson (sp?--Edward in the Twilight movie/Cedric from Harry Potter), and apparently his "nickname" is R-Patti...and the interviewer asked him if he got to pick his own name, what would it be? He SAID: Ransom Spunk.
Seriously. If that's not a porn name, I've never heard of one.
I use wicked a lot more than I should. Or nice.
Oh no. It's Spunk Ransom. I mean seriously, is that not the funniest name ever? I crack up every time I think about it. I see him as a stripper in a seedy bar with that name. LMFAO
Sorry, sorry...I was quoting Judy! I didn't watch the interview. I cracked up, I did. And Judy said he was serious--but he's BRITISH, so they look serious and I know he's SURELY got to know better. Surely.
Yeah, I'm sure you'd like to see him as a stripper. *LOL* As Edward, of course.
OH, and I use "NICE" too.
Ransom Spunk sounds more like something you could catch in a public bathroom. LOL!
I admit I picked up "hot mess" from So You Think You Can Dance. They have the best slang on that show. LOL!
I like to throw out the old slang and make it new again. Nothing better than telling someone something is swell and getting that deer in the headlights look. LOL!
And I call my daughter a goober almost daily. I just love that word.
Dear Spunk Ransom is a bit of a smartass me thinks. To watch him in an interviews just cracks me up. He's got a dry sense of humor. I dig that about him. Overall, he's just a cute kiddo with a good heart. I've not seen one interview where he's let all the fan girl screaming go to his head (other than the dry joking humor stuff) and he generally looks embarrassed when reporters ask him about it. It's rather endearing.
I like to say "hot mess" too but we've been doing that for years. Now it's getting too commericalized. Something new will come along and take over for the whole "hot mess" fiasco.
I know I've definitely read contemporary writing in historicals, and I know it's bugged me.
That's why I so don't write historicals, all my books would have dukes saying: dudes and my heroines saying: OMG! Kidding, of course. I'm too lazy to do all that research involved with a historical, but I love reading them.
Congrats on starting the YA, Marnee. I think it's always good to see what else you can do with your writing.
Woot! I got an in-text mention! I have to go recover!
Oh, and on Regency language: I bow to the OED. I used to have access online (back when my sister was a full-time college student and I knew her login and password...). I miss it.
I don't dislike first person pov, but I do think it is harder to do well and consequently more writers fail when they attempt it. When it does work though, it adds immediacy and power that are unique to that pov. Imagine The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Catcher in the Rye in third person!
Kristan Higgins uses first person in her books, and it works well with her characters. She does some of the prsent tense stuff, but much less than in some books where I found the tense problem so distracting that I could not finish the book.
I am a long-time OED addict, but one thing my constant checking has taught me is that all words that sound modern are not. Sometimes the complaining reader is wrong.
Good luck on your YA novel, Marnee. I have been a YA reader since the days when I actually was YA (a l-o-n-g time ago), and I think some of the best and most original writing in fiction has always been in that genre. And that market certainly seems to be booming right now.
Julie - I was going to use Abbott & Costello! Great minds and all that!
I think I prefer 3rd person but have yet to turn my nose at 1st person.
And I love Kristin Higgins - that lucky duck!
Have to chime in to say I LOVED Abbott & Costello. We watched their movies every Sunday morning as we got ready for church. I even bought one of those audio greeting cards because it has them doing that "Who's on first" skit. I can't part with it to actually give it to someone. LOL!
Sorry guys, I haven't been able to hang out since this morning.
Hellion - I hate present 1st person too. There's something about it that irks me. I can't get into it. It isn't really happening that very second, it's in a book after all.... Strange stuff.
Ter - I think a lot of YA is written in first person, probably to give the reader that "this could be me" feeling
Sin - *me blinking* People don't say slammin'? Man, I'm really going to stink it up with my contemporary language. Of course, the sentiment behind my statement is still on target: you write some good 1st person. Slammin' in fact. LOL!!
I have to admit that i think Spunk Ransom has to be the best nickname I've heard recently. :) I crack up too, everytime I hear it. It is porn star-fabulous.
Ely - thanks for the congrats! We'll see how it goes. And I wanted to have my heroine say "totally" in a valley girl way so many times in my book. And everytime I would crack up. It's the little things that make me giggle.
Awh, Jordan, you know you're my linguistic guru!! :) And do you mean this OED?
http://www.etymonline.com/
Janga - thanks! I love YA books too. I can't help myself. It's such an angsty time. So many big life understanding experiences happen then.
And I love how you said this.... "When it does work though, it adds immediacy and power that are unique to that pov" I couldn't have said it better.
And Santa, I don't turn my nose up at anything either!
Oh and Julie, I'm sorry I missed you the first time! You can crit me any day!! :)
Just stumbled across your site, and have been reading, I'm a hopeful author just really becoming serious about writing. You ask some good questions, so here are my answers:
I don't really have a preference for POV when reading, most historical romance which is my first love is 3rd person, but I've read some good 1st person too. I myself usually go for 3rd person, I find it therapeutic and helpful creatively to try and get into everyone's head in my writing, so I can be more true to them as I write.
1st person is wonderful when you really try to get personal with your main character and explore every avenue of their personality and thought processes, while 3rd person is much more general. IMO, anyway...
I can't really think of specifics, but there are definitely stories that I remember reading where I was like, "Oh, come ON, they would not have said that back then"... And on the other hand, there are plenty of books I've read where the author has gone so overboard- Imagine everyone in the book talking like Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady... YIKES!
Thanks for a great read, and I will definitely be checking back!
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