First Person Dos and Donts

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  • Опубликовано: 15 янв 2025

Комментарии • 135

  • @leah2799
    @leah2799 7 лет назад +132

    the starting every sentence with I is a pet peeve of mine and if too many of my paragraphs start with I i get super annoyed lmao

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +8

      Ha ha it's an easy mistake to make, which is why I try to be mindful of it.

    • @sweetiewoode8469
      @sweetiewoode8469 6 лет назад +11

      What can you use in place of I?examples, please

  • @badaccentgaming271
    @badaccentgaming271 7 лет назад +63

    As a young author I actually think I'm in love with this channel among other things

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +3

      Glad to hear it!

    • @kibbi500
      @kibbi500 5 лет назад

      bookishpixie I have a question so I’m confused about writing. I’m trying to write and I THINK ITS FIRST PERSON POINT OF VIEW. It basically my character interacting with the people and sometimes people interacting with other people. I m wrong it as a play style because that’s the only way it makes sense to me. However I think it’s wrong because what I’m writing is a fantasy action book. Here is what I mean when I say play style.
      Setting: park
      John: hello phill. How r u?
      Phill: hi john I’m good and how r u?
      I have it as dialogue based. Almost all my writing start in this format name: dialogue. I want help because I think this method is wrong but don’t know how to fix it and don’t know what point of view it should be in.

    • @xtonibx5770
      @xtonibx5770 4 года назад +1

      @@kibbi500 When you're writing a play style story, there really is no point of view as there is absolutely no narrative. You should learn how to properly format a play if you want to write a play, but point of view is tied to the narrative and your story doesn't have that.

    • @kibbi500
      @kibbi500 4 года назад

      x tonib x so I’m not writing a play. It’s supposed to be a 1st person point of view. My character interacts with the world but I’m having trouble writing it as a novel. I have it written as a play because I need help writing it in a novel format. I need tips. I know what I want to write. I know the story & I know where I want it to go. I just need to know how to write it as a novel. A first person point of view. With the narrator describing the world or something. Would u like me to show u a text of how I have it written?

    • @xtonibx5770
      @xtonibx5770 4 года назад

      @@kibbi500 I would recommend reading more books for improvement. But you should put yourself in your character's shoes and think about the stuff they would notice and what the people around them are doing as they speak. Imagine your protagonist is talking to a woman in a livingroom and she's smoking a cigarette and the protagonist says something that makes her upset. She might aggressively put out her cigarette, and/or roll her eyes, and walk away from the protagonist.
      Start a scene by describing where the main character is and what he's feeling or why he's there. If he's talking to somebody, describe how they look or how they talk. If your character is at the park, they might pay attention to the trees and nature and others might like to watch the children play.
      I would recommend a video called "how to write descriptions" by Reedsy. You seem like a very new and young writer, so maybe reading something on an app called Wattpad can help you start writing in a novel format and get your start.

  • @WriteHollyDavis
    @WriteHollyDavis 7 лет назад +36

    I usually write in third person but might try first and third for my next novel, so these tips are very helpful!! Thanks!

  • @robertsimmons1653
    @robertsimmons1653 7 лет назад +25

    I absolutely love you're videos! I'm in high school and your tips really help me learn how to be a better writer, especially at such a young age. I really hope to be published some day. I have so many ideas that I wish to put out there for the world to see, so I hope that I'm able to. Thank you for being awesome and a huge help!

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +1

      Aw, you're so welcome, dude! So happy to hear you're finding my channel encouraging, and I think it's awesome that you're already writing and researching! Good luck!

  • @Oh_myra
    @Oh_myra 2 года назад +2

    Quick and easy wrap up and not some 20 min explanation. I like this video.

  • @oofmate911
    @oofmate911 5 лет назад +50

    I have created different personalities for each and every one of my characters, but for some reason I can't come up with one for the main character.
    They're cold and boring.

    • @Cheetomelito
      @Cheetomelito 5 лет назад +7

      My protagonist is basically me but a bit more sassier try to act lile you're the protagonist it helps

    • @oofmate911
      @oofmate911 4 года назад

      @Kayleighanna O'Connor True

    • @hannahatkinson8101
      @hannahatkinson8101 3 года назад +2

      SAME 😭

    • @OdinPlays94
      @OdinPlays94 3 года назад +1

      Sounds like a typical anime.

    • @entitledbobcat
      @entitledbobcat 2 года назад +1

      Cold and boring is a personality

  • @t.r.warthorne1472
    @t.r.warthorne1472 7 лет назад +34

    thanks for the helpful video 😁 I was wondering, could you also do one on 3rd person?

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +11

      You're so welcome! To be entirely honest, I'd think a third person tips video would probably be nearly identical-except it wouldn't have the "I" bit. If I think of tips that are more third-person-centric, I'll make a vlog. But for now, these tips definitely could largely work for both. :)

    • @t.r.warthorne1472
      @t.r.warthorne1472 7 лет назад

      bookishpixie thank you!

  • @rudylabsilica2286
    @rudylabsilica2286 7 лет назад +8

    I’m actually writing my first novel in the first person pov, thanks for This I need it!

  • @iamjwang
    @iamjwang 6 лет назад +5

    Thank you for this! Been super observant about and annoyed when I keep starting with "I," then opened this video and was like...UGH I KNOW *cries*

  • @jacobmayo6884
    @jacobmayo6884 3 года назад +3

    In under four minutes, you've helped MUCH more than any 15-20 minute video I've seen thus far. Bravo👏👏🎉

  • @creativewritingprose6387
    @creativewritingprose6387 7 лет назад +4

    Thank you for this. I'm writing a book where each chapter has a different character's perspective.

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      You're welcome! Glad I could help.

  • @Frombeyondthehorizon6860
    @Frombeyondthehorizon6860 4 года назад +1

    This gave really helpful information since my first novel is told from first person

    • @chao2229
      @chao2229 4 года назад

      explosive pixel glitch wow a comment that’s not years ago

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  4 года назад

      Glad you found it helpful! :)

  • @mrjakejohnson
    @mrjakejohnson 4 года назад +1

    Excellent advice. Well done!

  • @carrot1160
    @carrot1160 7 лет назад +14

    The one with starting every sentences with "I" is me. I hate it because i keep repeating myself. Can you give me tips how to avoid this? (Avoid using "I" and avoid repeating the same words) And what words can i use as a substitute? :

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +3

      Basically, I don't worry about it while first drafting, then when revising I look for it. There isn't really a single word that can replace it generally, though-usually it means looking at the specific sentence and seeing how you can restructure it. Sometimes that means removing filtering (I see, I smell, I hear, I think, I feel, etc.) which helps a lot. Other times it means changing the way the sentence is structured to something that works around the "I". It really just depends on the sentence!

  • @danbirt1
    @danbirt1 7 лет назад +16

    Are there specific genres that you would say definitely NEED to be written from 1st person?

  • @CoreysReviews
    @CoreysReviews 7 лет назад +5

    You've made some really great points on First Person and Third Person. I'm currently brainstorming ideas for my first attempt at writing a manuscript and after some thinking I think I'm going to go with First Person, but do you have a process or anything to say about deciding whether to write in past or present tense? Could you make a vlog about this, or a response will work just as well. By the way, love your channel. I've been binge watching your videos and I find it very inspiring to give writing a shot myself.

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +1

      To be honest, when I'm not sure I try both for a few paragraphs and then read them aloud and see which I like better. It can be hard to choose, sometimes!!

    • @CoreysReviews
      @CoreysReviews 7 лет назад

      Ok, thanks alot! I'll try that as soon as I finish developing my characters and outlining, cause after binge watching you, Jenna Moreci and Kristen Martin, I would definitely consider myself a plotter. I'll definetly try that. Thanks for the feedback.

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +1

      You're so welcome! Good luck!

  • @katemarie5968
    @katemarie5968 7 лет назад +1

    I'm starting revisions on a 1st person manuscript soon, so this video was definitely helpful and timely 😊📖

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      Glad to hear it! Good luck with your revisions! :)

  • @ThewritingkingRichard
    @ThewritingkingRichard 7 лет назад +1

    I've got a book that I'm writing that has four main characters. I rotate first person between them. But each chapter has it's own point of view. Great video, thanks.

  • @karishnaidoo2523
    @karishnaidoo2523 7 лет назад +12

    Hey bookishpixie! I recently found your channel & after a marathon session of binge watching all of your videos (when I really should have been studying for a med school exam) I can honestly say that you’re my favorite literary vlogger :) I just have a quick question after watching your video on prologues. The prologue for the book I’m writing doesn’t have an info dump or major clichés (or at least I seriously hope it doesn't). Its main function is to set the tone of the book and provide a slightly unconventional view into the main character’s past. Its style is more artistic and abstract than the usual prose of the book. Admittedly, it is a bit of a shameless hook though. I’m really worried that an agent or editor will disregard my book or think that I’m a weak writer because I decided to add a prologue. At the same time I consider it one of the strongest pieces I’ve written & I really, really don’t want to axe it. Any advice on this would be great!

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +2

      Hey Karish! Firstly, I'm so glad to hear you've enjoyed my channel! And I'm impressed you binged _all_ of my vlogs-that's quite an accomplishment ha ha. :D
      Anyway! Without looking at your manuscript, since your prologue deals with the character's past, I'd probably make it a flashback instead, somewhere within the story. Especially since you recognize it's kind of a shameless hook, it sounds like readers will probably recognize it as the same-but that doesn't mean you necessarily have to axe it. You could probably just move it later in the manuscript instead. :)
      I hope that helps!

    • @karishnaidoo2523
      @karishnaidoo2523 7 лет назад

      Thank you so much for your time & advice, I really appreciate it! :D
      I hadn’t considered using it as a flashback & I’ll definitely try it out. It's back to the writing mines for me :P

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      You're welcome! Good luck!

    • @chriscameron4706
      @chriscameron4706 7 лет назад

      Karish Naidoo love you

  • @mistein837
    @mistein837 6 лет назад +5

    I came here to know about first person shooting games tips . lol

  • @sandykay1593
    @sandykay1593 2 года назад

    Very helpful,clear,no water,thank you!

  • @justjerm1823
    @justjerm1823 2 года назад

    It’s hard to break away from the I’s but it leaves room for thinking outside the box

  • @hrathernew5624
    @hrathernew5624 7 лет назад +2

    Thank you for doing this video it will help me to use the right voice in my first person story

  • @jamespeck125
    @jamespeck125 4 года назад

    Very clear and concise. Thanks very much

  • @spiritofhyrule8131
    @spiritofhyrule8131 6 лет назад +1

    Something I'd add to this list is to make sure the perspective enhances the experience. First person is a fantastic way to endear the character to the reader. An amazing example of this is Memoirs of A Geisha. The perspective really adds to the story because of the character's quirky perspective on everything. One of my other favorite books is written in third person and is a good example of a character that wouldn't do well in first person. As much as I love Eragon, seeing things from his eyes would probably be really dull. So third person was a good choice there.

  • @alwritey6174
    @alwritey6174 7 лет назад

    Fantastic tips. :) So true about character's voice in first person.

  • @chuckolator1859
    @chuckolator1859 3 года назад

    Great video! Short and sweet, concise and useful. Thanks for this! God bless!!

  • @madajafarmer5414
    @madajafarmer5414 3 года назад

    This is very helpful, thank you!

  • @andrewherndon3136
    @andrewherndon3136 6 лет назад

    Thanks I am trying to write my first book. Helpful.

  • @ahren4836
    @ahren4836 2 года назад

    thank youuuuu i needed this for a englsh class

  • @cleggbancroft
    @cleggbancroft 3 года назад

    Great video. I can see that you know what you're talking about.

  • @larafto
    @larafto 4 года назад

    im like having trouble with writing to much he said, I said. its like in every sentence. is that supposed to happen? cause it sounds to repetitive

  • @MishaGerrick
    @MishaGerrick 7 лет назад +1

    Excellent tips. Trying to think of something to add, but I think you got the big ones. :-)

  • @elena-ke3cw
    @elena-ke3cw 5 лет назад +1

    Quick question how do u transition from the first person’s point of view to another persons point of view in sections?

  • @josefineandersen2165
    @josefineandersen2165 Год назад

    I am struggleing a lot with the I. I use it so much, and its anoying. but I legit dont know how to formialte it diffrently.

  • @maheekxvi8642
    @maheekxvi8642 2 года назад

    Thank you, It was helpful

  • @archiethewriter3997
    @archiethewriter3997 7 лет назад

    i've been enjoying your videos over the past few days!
    i just started a writing vlog too :)

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      Awesome! If you have any questions let me know-and good luck with your own channel!

  • @bossshun9
    @bossshun9 7 лет назад

    Another great hit to remember. Nice. It will be helpful.

  • @joelacquah2204
    @joelacquah2204 4 года назад

    So what words do I use besides I?

  • @Jordan-kz3ms
    @Jordan-kz3ms 4 года назад

    What if I want to write from a 1st person omniscient POV because it supports the main character's personality (egostical & know-it-all)?

  • @CallMeMargo
    @CallMeMargo 7 лет назад

    Thanks so much for this video. I like to write in first person a LOT so I'll probably be coming back to this video over and over again😂

  • @jehanspeirs4107
    @jehanspeirs4107 4 года назад

    When writing in first person, can I use the word 'one'. I'm not sure whether that sounds like a third person narration, not first.

  • @davidk1308
    @davidk1308 7 лет назад +1

    I'm a simple man-boy, I see a new video about writing, it gets an instalike. :)

  • @failedatmakingasandwich423
    @failedatmakingasandwich423 5 лет назад

    I searched up "Writing in the first person perspective from someone outside the story" and this was the first video to show up.

  • @poopdick485
    @poopdick485 7 лет назад +1

    I write in a unique style... A lot. I talk about another character talking about the main character... It's hard to explain.

    • @randomfantasy9523
      @randomfantasy9523 7 лет назад

      this is forth person :D

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      Okay. But that could still be first or third person depending on how you write it. What you're writing about doesn't affect the perspective. :)

    • @kittypop5424
      @kittypop5424 6 лет назад

      If you can’t explain it how are reader supposed to understand it?

  • @chassidycook9725
    @chassidycook9725 3 года назад

    My son has to write a character analysis in first person view on Prince Prospero (from The Masque of the Red Death) lol. It’sa short story and he has no clue how to go about it bc the character isn’t talking or showing his feelings at all! I guess he just needs to write it from his point of view of the character?! 🤷‍♀️ I am going to share this video with im in hopes that it will help! Thx!

  • @josephgonzales9550
    @josephgonzales9550 6 лет назад

    Thank you, this was most helpful as I am considering writing a novel in the first person. I have written five books in the third person and I am just about to publish my first one. I have had trouble finding someone to edit my books. Any ideas would be helpful. thanks again.

  • @navin4984
    @navin4984 7 лет назад

    Will you please recommend a few novels that have multiple POVS?

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +3

      Sure! Some of my faves include:
      -ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis
      -A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab
      -I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson
      -OTHERBOUND by Corinne Duyvis
      -SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo
      -THIS SAVAGE SONG by Victoria Schwab
      -THE 5TH WAVE by Rich Yancey
      And I would be remiss if I didn't mention my debut, BEYOND THE RED, is dual-POV as well.
      I hope that helps! Happy reading!

  • @elvanmelikesutlu2611
    @elvanmelikesutlu2611 4 года назад

    ok but you look BEAUTIFUL

  • @charmleneboni
    @charmleneboni 4 года назад

    If I'm writing my novel in the first person, how do I refer to my parents? (i.e. mom or my mom) And when I'm talking about my siblings with my parents, which pronouns should I use? (our dad, her dad)

    • @kiritadoshi
      @kiritadoshi 3 года назад +1

      I'm definitely no expert on this. But I'd assume you would refer to them as you would if you were writing in your diary, but a little different in the sense that you want whoever finds your diary to understand who is who.

    • @charmleneboni
      @charmleneboni 3 года назад

      @@kiritadoshi thank you

  • @littlepinkskeleton
    @littlepinkskeleton 7 лет назад

    Can you have scenes in first person, in which your character isn't in?

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +1

      Uhh no? Because there'd be no narrator if your character wasn't in it, so there'd be no "I" to begin with. Does that make sense?

    • @disasterindisguise7534
      @disasterindisguise7534 7 лет назад

      littlepinkskeleton Maybe possible if another character is narrating his/her adventure to the protagonist.... (just a crazy thought).... otherwise NO WAY!!

  • @sicorange3
    @sicorange3 5 лет назад

    Considering your statements about the use of "I" too often in novels, and how it's frowned upon, what are your thoughts of the novel "You" (Caroline Kepnes). Being first person, inside Joe's head, a LOT of sentences begin with "I"s. How is this allowed to be accepted?
    Seriously need some input. I wanted to place my reader inside my character's head and use "I" quite often as well.

  • @arielsteinsaltz1956
    @arielsteinsaltz1956 7 лет назад

    I wrote my book in first person, only narrated by one person, and in the sequel, there is narration by multiple other people, but everyone except the MC narrates in third person and she still narrates in first person. Is this a problem? And is it a problem to switch narrators during a chapter?

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +1

      I've seen different POV styles (first/third) used in the same book before, and while it can be tricky to pull off, it's definitely possible. And it's okay to switch narrators during a chapter as long as there's a break between the perspectives to differentiate the two perspectives.

    • @arielsteinsaltz1956
      @arielsteinsaltz1956 7 лет назад

      bookishpixie thanks

  • @peterxyz3541
    @peterxyz3541 5 лет назад

    Can you suggest a few novels with good execution of First Person Single and First Person Multi view? I have a few ideas for stories and I’m fearful that I suck.
    I know suck and like to turn out all my Suck to find the Good. Thanks

  • @joshuaeliason5832
    @joshuaeliason5832 7 лет назад

    Hi, I just started a story of my own, and I have a character in my story that is my MC's coworker. I'm aiming for her to be funny and energetic, meaning she replies with snappy comments to my MC after some of his sentences. Its proving to be difficult to make the conversation "flow" between the two without it looking like it has too many "he said she said" moments. Also, later on in the story I'm aiming for some serious moments between some characters. So I'm wondering if you have any tips on making a conversation between two characters a little less "he said she said". I'm hoping this makes sense. Thanks!

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      I've done two vlogs on dialogue that you'll hopefully find helpful:
      1) 5 Tips for Writing Dialogue: ruclips.net/video/q8eZ7VtRe4Y/видео.html
      2) 5 Dialogue Don'ts: ruclips.net/video/gAFx8agy8u8/видео.html
      Good luck! :)

    • @joshuaeliason5832
      @joshuaeliason5832 7 лет назад

      Thank you!

  • @ramyfili1434
    @ramyfili1434 7 лет назад

    This was supper helpful :)

  • @mininovaband
    @mininovaband 4 года назад

    But in our own thoughts, we do tend to think things like, "mom thinks I'm skipping school" so I find myself breaking this rule.

  • @AMoniqueOcampo
    @AMoniqueOcampo 7 лет назад

    Have you heard about Deep POV? What advice do you have about writing in this kind of POV, especially in first person?

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад +1

      I have heard of deep POV and actually use it (and recommend it) all the time! I actually wrote a blog post about it a little while back that you might find helpful: avajae.blogspot.com/2016/05/how-to-write-deep-pov.html

  • @wyrmoffastring
    @wyrmoffastring 6 лет назад

    I am currently reading a book that skips between first person, third person limited and third person omniscient and it's a clusterfuck and it's awful...

  • @beepbeepimmadragon8758
    @beepbeepimmadragon8758 6 лет назад

    I’m writing a first person with twins and I switch perspective from chapter to chapter there’s a boy and a girl and they’re different ages by the chapter and they’re magic only the girl has a 6 year old chapter tho each has chapters when they’re both 8 11 13 16 and 20 so that’s like 11 chapters or you’d think I’m breaking the 13 year old chapter into 6 chapters 2 for them dealing with their dad dying 2 for magic missions and 2 for their semi formal my characters are drawn on my deviantart linked in my profile

  • @zigaudrey
    @zigaudrey 6 лет назад +3

    Twilight is the worst example on how to write a first-person story.
    Wait, you have the Kinra girls in your bookshelf?

  • @mbaloch3057
    @mbaloch3057 5 лет назад

    Hi, might be late (oh sorry) too late ,but what it cost to say in french ты выглядишь очень красиво, поэтому я люблю тебя.

  • @amyroseauthorofficial
    @amyroseauthorofficial 3 года назад

    I find myself putting I in most sentences but later I review it and edit, if I try and edit while writing a sentence my adhd brain will be confused 🤣

    • @anavonrebeur6121
      @anavonrebeur6121 3 года назад

      Write in Spanish. We don't use first person! ❤️

  • @RitCore
    @RitCore 5 лет назад

    Im scanning through what i wrote and All the I's! WHYYYYY.... *I* quit.
    EDIT:
    OOH! I see the mortal instruments books in the background!

  • @theblanketfortcohort7332
    @theblanketfortcohort7332 4 года назад

    Is there ANY way, any way AT ALL, I can tip the readers off to something without the POV character making the connection too? I know it had a proper name but I call it a Sally-Anne moment, because I'm a psychology nerd lol.
    They work really well in 3rd person POV but it's gotta be nigh-on impossible to use in 1st person. Somehow, they've gotta notice something but not make a connection, whilst the reader DOES make that connection.
    Perhaps the character is tired, or drunk, or you somehow bait the reader into getting stuck on a seemingly innocuous detail... GAh!!

  • @westhaze2791
    @westhaze2791 6 лет назад

    I could watch you 24/7 how cute you are xD

  • @lennyscastillo7066
    @lennyscastillo7066 7 лет назад

    hello ;)

  • @eduardowolf8890
    @eduardowolf8890 7 лет назад

    thought you added AF to the books i laughed a little but you have young viewer huh thought most of them were all adults or teenagers

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      There are lots of adults in teens here, yes, but you'd be surprised how many comments I get from nine and eleven and twelve year olds. So just being mindful. :)

  • @issamhamad3828
    @issamhamad3828 6 лет назад +1

    Great points. Thank you- but you talk fast!

  • @codysearsmusic
    @codysearsmusic 3 года назад

    hI CoMmUnItY Of AwEsOmE!!!

  • @randomfantasy9523
    @randomfantasy9523 7 лет назад

    😂😂😂 dont start every sentence with "I"
    can you make third person dos and.donts

    • @bookishpixie
      @bookishpixie  7 лет назад

      Honestly I think it'd be pretty near the same, except for the rule you mentioned because that wouldn't be a problem. If I think of some meaningful differences for dos and don'ts I'll do a separate vlog.

  • @timetellersunion3711
    @timetellersunion3711 4 года назад

    Jesus bless you

  • @xexpinoza25
    @xexpinoza25 5 лет назад

    This wasn’t helpful

  • @aimeepartain1248
    @aimeepartain1248 6 лет назад

    You always sound so bored in your intro.

  • @timonpluecker880
    @timonpluecker880 4 года назад

    Useless