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/lit/ - Literature

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4677213 No.4677213[DELETED]  [Reply] [Original]

Does first person narrative come off as more pretentious than third person?

I'm writing a book and it feels preachy and heavy-handed when the character describes things from his view directly. It's easier describing actions, scenery, and thought from a neutral view.

What do you guys think?

Also, is third person better than first person for genres like sci-fi where plot is usually more important than character development?

>> No.4677219

>3rd person vs 1st person
Whoa, this debate is so immense I wouldn't even know where to start, so I won't.
Just forget about sounding pretentious. Besides, it has nothing to do with wether you write in 3rd or 1st person.

>> No.4677225

Maybe your character is pretentious?
>3rd person is worse for it because you can come off as pretentious as the writer, whereas you can just say that your first person narrative character was a pretentious, autistic douchebag.
>that's better than being called a pretentious writer.
>isn't it?

>> No.4677235
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4677235

>>4677213
have you considered that you're not a great writer? I mean no offense, but you're not even done with your first draft yet and you're already looking for reasons to give up.

>just keep writing you faggot.
>eventually you'll get it right.

Try rewriting the last scene in the third person. If you like it more, and it doesn't come out like a clanking literary robot, then maybe you'll have something worthy to complain about. But if it's just as awkward, then shit nigga, it's you who is the problem, not your narrator.

>> No.4677242

>>4677225
That's a cop out for bad writers.
>>4677235
I just have good self awareness

Whether you guys choose to admit it or not, you can't get away with the same level as description from a first person perspective. The reader will feel awkward if your narrator is unusually perceptive of everything

>> No.4677254

>>4677213
if you have strong/unique voice such as joyce or HUnter S for example, then go 1st. Otherwise go 3rd. 3rd is always safer, not necessarily easier.

>> No.4677263

>worries about being pretentious
>makes most pretentious thread
okay

why don't you post some of it so we can give you tips?