And the Narrator Says…

There are many different “voices” in which an author may choose to write. Without going into them all, I have written in third and first person using the protagonist’s viewpoint. There are subcategories; for example, when I use first person it is first person past with a sprinkling of first person present. Hence, I would say “I bit my lip” as opposed to “I bite my lip.” I do use first present, but only when the person is thinking or saying something in the moment.

Voice has been on my mind a lot ever since I finished the Hunger Games. I really enjoyed them. Different from anything else I’ve ever read (a huge plus for me), and they were riveting. There was something I didn’t like though, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on until I realized it was the voice: this author uses primarily first person present.

For me, there is something jarring about it. The argument some have used is first person present puts you right in the action. Well yes, but for me there is something false about always using first person present… “I bite my lip" is an afterthought…I don’t believe anyone thinks "I bite my lip" while doing it. I believe biting lips HAS to be past, even if only a fraction of a second in the past. Thoughts, in my opinion, are the only thing that can truly be in the moment…or if you are biting and speaking, such as “I replied, biting my lip,” and you have to be careful with an out loud statement, because can you truly do the action you are suggesting and speak at the same time?

That’s just me and my opinion, which I state often when saying things like this. Considering voice in books helps me to better understand not only what I do and don’t like, but how that applies to my own work…

I said, my stomach growling. I bit my cookie and swallowed it almost whole. Oh dear, my waistline will expand, I should watch what I bite.