FaithWriters.com-Christian Writers Forum

Allison, I really enjoyed your two pieces that you linked.

One thing I forgot to mention - even though I like 3rd person better than 1st person, there is one way I really do like using 1st person. Sometimes if I am struggling with a particular scene or story, it helps to open a new word document or get a fresh piece of paper, and rewrite a 3rd person scene in 1st person. For some reason, just looking at the "I" instead of "he/she" shakes it up enough for me to spot problem bits or see where I can pare away unnecessary fluff (which, for RC "Purple Prose" Barrett, is a good thing ). Then I can just switch it back to 3rd person, with the edits, and plug it back into the manuscript.

Don't know why, but it seems to help.

I'm so excited - I did a piece for Envy and it was mediocre, and then I read this forum and I just knew I had to try first person present tense - which I've never done before (I'm completely new to prose. I've only ever written poetry) and I LOVED IT! I think it's lifted the piece dramatically - because the character is experiencing a complete inner transformation. I enjoyed the immediacy, and how the girl could speak all through it, without needing to italicize internal dialogue. I pray I've done it right! I'll get your opinion after the challenge, Jan, if that's ok. Anyway, it's given me great delight trying this POV.

I look forward to it, Trace!

After your encouragement I wrote my entry for last week in the first person. Certainly was a bit of a change, but that's what the challenge is all about.
The link to the article is here: http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article- ... p?id=50343
Now I will have to try writing in second person, but not for the entry as you rightfully suggested.
Kind regards

Hi Jan

This is the story I submitted for the recent 'envy' challenge. I was hoping you could look at it to make sure I got the actual technique right - I anticipate some errors being my 'first time for first p-erson!'

The address is http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article- ... p?id=50379

Thanks! Your feedback is invaluable!

Trace, your story is beautifully written. It's very exciting to me to see your growth as a writer!

Yay! Thank you That means a lot to me. Sometimes it's too easy to doubt ability!