As a third-person writer, i can confirm that my manuscript are either "he, he, he, he, he" or "she, she, she, she, she" Its not a first-person problem😌
"I" assume a good fix for the is to just drop the I. For example, " I entered into the kitchen. I smelled warm bread cooking. I noticed my wife at the sink cleaning the mixing bowl. I made my way over. To, Entering the kitchen, the aroma of baking bread filled the air. My wife applied adequate elbow grease to the mixing bowl in the sink. She muttered colorful, explicit words as she did so. Coughing loudly to announce my present, I made my way over.
@greenchenille Fair point, by focusing on one problem another was created. But it's more about writing patterns than experience. Granted, no, I'm not experienced, but I'm sure there are a number of poor habits that are corrected in the revision process for any writer. Or by having another person review the work and point out obvious problems we ourselves have become blind to.
instead of writing i smell . just write the smell of ...or i see something.. write the things comes to the view or appearing ...i feel the pain of .. the pain in'my heart the pain in my leg in my stomach.. i feel happy ~~happyness fell my heart or whatever ... i write in arabic language and i hate to use verbs to much in my writing as much as i hate reading it .. the noun is always stronger unless it's an action scene or love scene .. something that you want you readers to see or imagine happening ..❤❤❤
When I do first person, I usually go at it like I'm narrating my own thoughts and focus more on how the character is experiencing their environment and their own sensations
Thank you so much for this tip! I'm a preteen writer starting to write my debut novel, which is in first person. As someone who struggles with excessive "I" s in my writing, this was so helpful Abbie! ❤
Thank u Abbie. I've been kicking myself in the back cuz Ik the things I want to write would be enjoyed by people who love to read in 3rd person and hate 1st person. I really love to write in first person and that's what I want to do but I've been contemplating it sm bc ppl really seem to hate first person with a passion, so I've been overthinking this for quite some time. But ik I need to write what I love because that's the kind of stuff I want to see, and that I should write for me not anyone else thank u Abbie 🫶
I switched my novel from first to third and I totally agree, just do whatever clicks for your story. Some stories just feel like they belong in a certain context!
Abbie, I just want to thank for all your content. Watching all your videos have helped greatly into becoming a better writer. I was so impressed while reading my OWN work. Really have to thank you for the journey so far. Wishing you more audience as a writer and RUclipsr ❤️❤️❤️
I write third person, and my accidental overused word is as, so when I'm reworking stuff it's fun to come up with replacements for as as the starter in each sentence
As someone who prefers to write in third person, i find first person fascinating, but never really felt like it was for me. Until I tried it once, and suddenly felt like it could be something in the future maybe, because I was actually having fun with the character, But I do still think my main writing point of view will be third person for most of my books, As that is what comes naturally to me.
No joke, I literally jumped when the thumbnail popped up on my feed. I'm sorry, Abbie, but that was the scariest moment of my day 😂 I still love your advice. 😂❤
I can only write in first person, I don't think I use I too much, mostly feelings rather than sights, any suggestions on how to not use it then? Ie "I wondered what it meant"
Just asking about a little something you said at the end... "Only write what you personally love to write." In the context of the TENSE of a story, I'm personally debating whether or not to change my WIP from 3rd person to 1st (cuz my protagonist is very "in-her-head" and has a lot of important thought processes)... but I vastly prefer writing (and reading!) third person!! Just asking for your opinion... what's ultimately more important? Writing to suit my story or writing to suit ME?
#AskAbbie Hi Abbie! I have a question, Idrk if u take questions on here but here it is: how do I outline? I know it’s stupid, but most outline techniques never work for me so could you recommend some really simple ones or easy methods? Ty!
It's not just a writing problem. Learning a foreign language opened my eyes to our obsession unnecessary 'I's. "Where should I put this?" Instead of "Where does this go?"
By having them say or do funny things. (This is actual advice that David Foster Wallace once gave to someone who asked the same question, not just me being a dick.)
The problem definitely isn't 1st person. I constantly write in 1st person and when I try to write in 3rd, I end up with the same problem 😂. Consider writing, "The air smelled of" instead of, "I smelled"
First person view is so much easier in my language (not English). You can never repeat yourself with the word "l", third person however is more of a challenge.
I don’t know if you will answer my question or not, but I will ask because until I do, I won’t know otherwise. It’s a two part question. I’m a huge fan of R.L.Stine. I was wondering, when they were published, Di you read Goosebumps at all? If so, can you please explain to me, why in your opinion, you think Goosebumps were so popular?
I have a personal rule that my paragraphs should appear like piano keys somehow, like if my first paragraph begins with I, the next shouldn't. Not always the case of course since sometimes it is inevitable and using I is still the best to keep the narration simple and smooth, but there shouldn't be a straight line of I-paragraphs in a page in my book.
I would have liked to see some examples of the wrong way to do this, and the right way to do this. Examples make it much easier to understand concepts.
Really helpful!! Thanks so much!! Definitely going to try the challenge you suggested. I will definitely let you know how it goes in your next video 😊❤ Please help me out here: 🙏🏻 How can we make the plot of a story unique yet interesting. Also, When I write, (I'm a teenager who has like just 1 published book) I tend to use first person dialogues excessively. Its not as interesting as I want it to be. How can I avoid too many dialogues without changing the meaning of the dialogue? Thanks 🙏🏻 love from India ❤️
As someone who’s doing the same thing, I’d recommend having at least some sort of villain (not necessarily a character, could just be an antagonistic force) for the first book. If you want, you could even have a “decoy” villain- someone who seems to be the main antagonist but is actually just a red herring for the true villain.
Yes, in the genre of “choose your own adventure” books. Basically roleplaying games in book form, since dungeon masters will also often narrate to you what “you” are doing. For a film example, look for the animated Dungeons & Dragons short film “Scourge of Worlds”.
As a third-person writer, i can confirm that my manuscript are either "he, he, he, he, he" or "she, she, she, she, she" Its not a first-person problem😌
Thank you
Even worse, for me, at least, I find myself using the protagonist’s name more than I probably should. Claudia did this, Claudia said that, etc. lol!
Same problem!!!
I SWEAR 😭😭
Yeah. It helps if you skip the "he," "she," "I," and go straight to describing the scene.
"I" assume a good fix for the is to just drop the I.
For example, " I entered into the kitchen. I smelled warm bread cooking. I noticed my wife at the sink cleaning the mixing bowl. I made my way over.
To,
Entering the kitchen, the aroma of baking bread filled the air. My wife applied adequate elbow grease to the mixing bowl in the sink. She muttered colorful, explicit words as she did so. Coughing loudly to announce my present, I made my way over.
sorry- but elbow grease 😂🤚
@@lilly_girl2151 It seemed better than enthusiastic brillo padding.😁
I casually read over the elbow grease, if I'm reading fast sometimes I just guess the word after a first glance 😂
Repetitive use of ing starts is also dull and, well repetitive. A classic sign of an inexperienced writer.
@greenchenille Fair point, by focusing on one problem another was created.
But it's more about writing patterns than experience. Granted, no, I'm not experienced, but I'm sure there are a number of poor habits that are corrected in the revision process for any writer. Or by having another person review the work and point out obvious problems we ourselves have become blind to.
'Only write what you personally want to write' - best advice you've given Abbie! Thanks!
I’ve been struggling with this in my book with describing scenes and stuff, so imma try this
You have NO IDEA how much I struggle with this! Thanks for being super helpful as always Abbie!! 😘
instead of writing i smell . just write the smell of ...or i see something.. write the things comes to the view or appearing ...i feel the pain of .. the pain in'my heart the pain in my leg in my stomach.. i feel happy ~~happyness fell my heart or whatever ... i write in arabic language and i hate to use verbs to much in my writing as much as i hate reading it .. the noun is always stronger unless it's an action scene or love scene .. something that you want you readers to see or imagine happening ..❤❤❤
Exactly, rephrase. Doing less narration of the scene and more description.
Actually use this technique it's really cool. Annoyed me when I was reading my own stuff
Writers, Show, don't tell!
When I do first person, I usually go at it like I'm narrating my own thoughts and focus more on how the character is experiencing their environment and their own sensations
Thank you so much for this tip! I'm a preteen writer starting to write my debut novel, which is in first person. As someone who struggles with excessive "I" s in my writing, this was so helpful Abbie! ❤
Me too
Oh that's awesome!!! Love to see the fellow young writers! :D
What's your book about, may I ask?
Thank u Abbie. I've been kicking myself in the back cuz Ik the things I want to write would be enjoyed by people who love to read in 3rd person and hate 1st person. I really love to write in first person and that's what I want to do but I've been contemplating it sm bc ppl really seem to hate first person with a passion, so I've been overthinking this for quite some time. But ik I need to write what I love because that's the kind of stuff I want to see, and that I should write for me not anyone else thank u Abbie 🫶
Don’t switch to third you’ll end up putting the characters names in every single dialogue tag and have to edit that instead
I switched my novel from first to third and I totally agree, just do whatever clicks for your story. Some stories just feel like they belong in a certain context!
Abbie, I just want to thank for all your content. Watching all your videos have helped greatly into becoming a better writer. I was so impressed while reading my OWN work. Really have to thank you for the journey so far. Wishing you more audience as a writer and RUclipsr ❤️❤️❤️
Never thought about it until you brought it up ! Would you believe I found my novel full of I ,s. Thank you so much . lol ( laughing at myself ).
I write third person, and my accidental overused word is as, so when I'm reworking stuff it's fun to come up with replacements for as as the starter in each sentence
As someone who prefers to write in third person, i find first person fascinating, but never really felt like it was for me.
Until I tried it once, and suddenly felt like it could be something in the future maybe, because I was actually having fun with the character,
But I do still think my main writing point of view will be third person for most of my books,
As that is what comes naturally to me.
No joke, I literally jumped when the thumbnail popped up on my feed. I'm sorry, Abbie, but that was the scariest moment of my day 😂 I still love your advice. 😂❤
"Eyes!" Too funny
Its only a matter of "describe, don't explain", again. The solution for most writing problems 😁♥️
Always great tips. :D
This is such good advice!!
As a writer, I love to write third person and first person, there really isn't a preference.
I can only write in first person, I don't think I use I too much, mostly feelings rather than sights, any suggestions on how to not use it then? Ie "I wondered what it meant"
What thoughts might you have when you're wondering what it means? "It could mean a number of things..." Or "this meant one of two things..."
@@lour8237 What someone said usually, that was just an example. My narrators all have a habit of planning ahead abd overthinking everything!
@@sarahglover3286 I'm not sure what you mean by the first sentence
Just asking about a little something you said at the end... "Only write what you personally love to write." In the context of the TENSE of a story, I'm personally debating whether or not to change my WIP from 3rd person to 1st (cuz my protagonist is very "in-her-head" and has a lot of important thought processes)... but I vastly prefer writing (and reading!) third person!! Just asking for your opinion... what's ultimately more important? Writing to suit my story or writing to suit ME?
Thanks Abbie
Always great advice.
#AskAbbie Hi Abbie! I have a question, Idrk if u take questions on here but here it is: how do I outline? I know it’s stupid, but most outline techniques never work for me so could you recommend some really simple ones or easy methods? Ty!
It's not just a writing problem. Learning a foreign language opened my eyes to our obsession unnecessary 'I's.
"Where should I put this?"
Instead of
"Where does this go?"
Have you read the book Mates by Sobers Rodrigues. You should. I know you would like the story.
Q: How do you make a funny side character?
By having them say or do funny things.
(This is actual advice that David Foster Wallace once gave to someone who asked the same question, not just me being a dick.)
This is so true, I use a bunch of sentence starters.
Good point.
The problem definitely isn't 1st person. I constantly write in 1st person and when I try to write in 3rd, I end up with the same problem 😂.
Consider writing, "The air smelled of" instead of, "I smelled"
I have a question how do I make a character's backstory interesting
Can you use first person and third person in the same book
I was writing me story in third person so what are the points which I should keep in mind through the rest of the story
Use "this one."
"I" like your thumbnail and video 🤭
First person view is so much easier in my language (not English). You can never repeat yourself with the word "l", third person however is more of a challenge.
I don’t know if you will answer my question or not, but I will ask because until I do, I won’t know otherwise. It’s a two part question. I’m a huge fan of R.L.Stine. I was wondering, when they were published, Di you read Goosebumps at all? If so, can you please explain to me, why in your opinion, you think Goosebumps were so popular?
I have a personal rule that my paragraphs should appear like piano keys somehow, like if my first paragraph begins with I, the next shouldn't. Not always the case of course since sometimes it is inevitable and using I is still the best to keep the narration simple and smooth, but there shouldn't be a straight line of I-paragraphs in a page in my book.
I would have liked to see some examples of the wrong way to do this, and the right way to do this. Examples make it much easier to understand concepts.
I write in 3rd person but have the same problem with the protagonist’s name.
Same here. "Name did an action." litters my first draft.
Hilarious thumbnail, thank you for that!
Really helpful!! Thanks so much!! Definitely going to try the challenge you suggested. I will definitely let you know how it goes in your next video 😊❤
Please help me out here: 🙏🏻
How can we make the plot of a story unique yet interesting.
Also,
When I write, (I'm a teenager who has like just 1 published book) I tend to use first person dialogues excessively. Its not as interesting as I want it to be. How can I avoid too many dialogues without changing the meaning of the dialogue?
Thanks 🙏🏻 love from India ❤️
Challenge accepted!
#AskAbbie: Is it okay to have a villain who you don’t know for the first book?
As someone who’s doing the same thing, I’d recommend having at least some sort of villain (not necessarily a character, could just be an antagonistic force) for the first book. If you want, you could even have a “decoy” villain- someone who seems to be the main antagonist but is actually just a red herring for the true villain.
@@normal_spirit_in_elysium thanks for the advice! I’ll have to try that 😊
The jumpscare
Is writing in second person possible?
Yes, in the genre of “choose your own adventure” books. Basically roleplaying games in book form, since dungeon masters will also often narrate to you what “you” are doing. For a film example, look for the animated Dungeons & Dragons short film “Scourge of Worlds”.
How do you write good arranged marriage chemistry????❤❤❤
Instead of I smelled rotten flesh, you can use the smell of rotten flesh turned my stomach.
Can you still use my? As in: “My friend said…”
Learn Portuguese Language!
Me smell something than me found a food and me eat it. Me happy.