A Word Please - Latest Comments

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Heracleetus — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 15:50:28 -0000

Great point about second person, Jody. It can be used as a form of address, as a method of explanation, but I personally feel it would be difficult for me to maintain in my writing, other than for the short story. Of course, if a writer has a great idea that works or demands the you form, that's fantastic.

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Darcia Helle — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 10:38:04 -0000

I agree, Joe. The typical noir or hard-boiled mystery is first person because you need to be in that character's head all the time. That's how I felt about The Cutting Edge, which is dark humor. It wouldn't have worked in third person.

Can you imagine the Sherlock Holmes stories written in third person? You'd lose all that intimacy.

Interesting about the typical hard-boiled mystery reader. I guess it makes sense that reading something in first person gives you a sense of living it through that character's eyes. You get to be the hero for a little while. :)

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Darcia Helle — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 10:34:52 -0000

Jody, you crack me up. It is funny how terms like POV seem so natural to me now that I often don't clarify it.

Second person is rare and I personally hate it. This POV uses the word "you". --- You see the killer coming for you and you try to scream. You want to tell him this is a mistake. But he keeps coming and you need to react quickly.

Ick.

To further confuse you, it is possible to mix first and third person, which is what I did with The Cutting Edge. This is becoming more common with first person writing, and gives the author a bit more freedom than a strict first person. A second POV character is added and given the third person POV, while the main character is in first person.

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Joe Prentis — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 19:56:50 -0000

I cannot imagine the traditional hard-boiled novel being
written in anything but first person. I don’t see how you could get inside the skin of the typical POV character in any other manner. Most of them are crusty ex-lawmen with a tendency toward violent encounters. I was a little surprised when I read an article telling of a study about the type of person who reads hard-boiled fiction. The article said that the readers are actually a cross section of our society, and the attraction of these stories is to relieve tension. Settling down with a book after a tense and trying day at the clinic, factory, or you name it, leaves you full of stress and aggression. What better ways to fluff your ego back to size than to have the ‘good’ guy give the bad guys a taste of their own medicine?

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Jody Brown — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 14:41:23 -0000

I never actually noticed the difference. When I decided to try to write a short story for the first time I automatically went to first person. In fact when you started mentoring me and said I needed to figure out which POV I was going to use I had to ask my husband what POV meant. Then I had to ask you the difference. I have read all of your writing and I did not even realize that Skye's story was first person.

Now that I am trying a book I am writing in third person but find myself slipping to first person every now and then. What I want to know is what happened to second person? Is this even a writing style and if not why leave poor second person out?

Darcia, you could write something in any style and it will be great!

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Darcia Helle — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 09:47:04 -0000

Thanks for that giggle, Greg. You're right; I can't remember ever recommending a book because of the POV. For me, it has always been about the quality of the writing.

Re: First Person or Third Person? The View from a Writer’s Chair

Greg Mischio — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 09:33:17 -0000

It doesn't matter unless the book is poorly written. If the voice doesn't deliver, it can be first or third person, it will fall flat. How many times have recommended a great book and said, "Best of all, it's in the third person!" Just worry about the writing.

Re: Tangled Relationships: Two Hit Men, An ex-Prostitute, and A Cult

Maria Savva — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 08:35:02 -0000

LOL, no I'm going to be editing them as I write them this time, so shouldn't take as long and I will be relying on Bob's editing skills!! :)

Re: Tangled Relationships: Two Hit Men, An ex-Prostitute, and A Cult

Darcia Helle — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:46:11 -0000

We really need to get you into editing rehab! I warned Bob that you're compulsive and it might be months before you send any of the stories you've written. :)

Re: Sean and Maria From KILLING INSTINCT: Bad Boy Meets Bad Girl

Maria Savva — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:41:26 -0000

It's so frustrating that criminals seem to always be one step ahead of the police and the authorities in most areas :(

Re: Sean and Maria From KILLING INSTINCT: Bad Boy Meets Bad Girl

Darcia Helle — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:42:09 -0000

The scariest thing is that world really exists. I was astounded by what I found when I researched all this. The criminals definitely have a better grasp of cyberspace than our police do.

Re: Sean and Maria From KILLING INSTINCT: Bad Boy Meets Bad Girl

Maria Savva — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:11:57 -0000

I really enjoyed this novel. Very scary Internet underground world though!

Re: Michael and Nicki – Love, Lust, and Murder

Maria Savva — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:15:30 -0000

LOL, I think we all do. And the fact that he only really goes after the really evil people helps!! :)

Re: Tangled Relationships: Two Hit Men, An ex-Prostitute, and A Cult

Maria Savva — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:14:12 -0000

Hahaha! Yes, I imagine that would be annoying. I've never written a series, but after reading over A Time to Tell for the second edition I'm thinking I might be able to write a sequel to that one... problem is, first I need to finish editing it... that could take forever!

Re: Michael and Nicki – Love, Lust, and Murder

Darcia Helle — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:23:48 -0000

When I wrote this first book, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make him likable enough, considering what he did with his time. It's interesting how many readers really do love him. Goes to show we all have a secret desire for vengeance! :)

Re: Tangled Relationships: Two Hit Men, An ex-Prostitute, and A Cult

Darcia Helle — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:22:31 -0000

It is funny how the characters become like friends, particularly with a series. I know I need a break from certain characters when I'm out somewhere and they're chattering in my head about things they would do in my situation!

Re: Blood Is In The Air Valentine’s Giveaway! All She Wants To Hear Is The Sound of Silence

Maria Savva — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:02:21 -0000

Well, I'm glad I inspired you to go down that route! You're very good at them! :)

Re: Tangled Relationships: Two Hit Men, An ex-Prostitute, and A Cult

Maria Savva — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:01:34 -0000

I'm looking forward to finding time to read this one. It's the only one in the series I haven't read. Those characters are like old friends now :)

Re: Michael and Nicki – Love, Lust, and Murder

Maria Savva — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 15:44:08 -0000

I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to finding time to read the second in the series. I've read the first and the last one!! :) Michael Sykora is a fun and realistic character. A lovable hitman, if there can be such a thing LOL :)

Re: Valentine’s Day Giveaway! Meet Lauren And Jesse From Enemies and Playmates

Wendy Collard — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 08:30:25 -0000

Pleasure :-)

Re: Blood Is In The Air Valentine’s Giveaway! All She Wants To Hear Is The Sound of Silence

Darcia Helle — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 08:20:20 -0000

Thank you, Maria! I owe my venture into short stories to you. :)

Re: Valentine’s Day Giveaway! Meet Lauren And Jesse From Enemies and Playmates

Darcia Helle — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 08:19:18 -0000

Thank you, Maria!

Re: Valentine’s Day Giveaway! Meet Lauren And Jesse From Enemies and Playmates

Darcia Helle — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 08:19:07 -0000

LOL! Thanks for stopping by and reading, Wendy. Good luck in the giveaway.

Re: Valentine’s Day Giveaway! Meet Lauren And Jesse From Enemies and Playmates

Darcia Helle — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 08:18:41 -0000

Thank you, Louise! :)

Good luck in the giveaway.

Re: Blood Is In The Air Valentine’s Giveaway! All She Wants To Hear Is The Sound of Silence

Maria Savva — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 16:45:58 -0000

A wonderful collection of short stories. I loved these :)