Chris Davies wrote:

On Fri, 7 Nov 1997, Andrew Huang wrote:

      Yep. As has been analyzed by several others here, first person is
just very difficult to do.

        Speaking for myself, I have never found this to be the case.  It is
actually easier, on the whole, for me to write from the perspective of a
single character than from the perspective of an omniscient narrator.  If I
didn't have an absolute loathing of "special editions", I'd go back and
rewrite "None of Your Business" as a first person story to make it match its
two sequels.

	I have found the same to be true also. Although I don't write my fics
in first person, it is because POV is an important decision on how the
story falls together. A first person or limited third narrative
constrains the story in a way that many authors feel uncomfortable with.
This is because it reequires that you literally have to map out other
parts of a story that the narrator is not privy to, or else you must
find a convenient reason to pull them into nearly every single action
that happens. 
	My fics and most of my writing falls along complcated multi-character
plots that just would never work with a first person narrative. In
truth, that is one of the main reasons people stay away from first
person. The other reason is the voice of the character. In first person,
it is the charcter that is writing the story, whether from a present or
recollective standpoint depending on the maturity desired and the
knowledge the character requires. Because of this, the author must keep
his style out of the story. Not completely, but enough that the
character retains a personalvoice. it is very hard for an author to do
this, especially, like most fanfic writers, if they are still developing
and are unsure of their style. You need to know your style o be able to
deviate from it.
	Personally, I use first person narrative to do what I call "character
plots" Basically, I step into a character I design, especially if I'm
having trouble portraying that character, and write and abreviated story
from their standpoint. One of these actually turned into an original
short story I'm working on for my Creative Writing class. I find the
experience to be very intresting. I write along a multifacetd limited
thrid. It isn't quite omnicient, but it isn't limited either. I'm used
to steping inside characters, so this new story gives me a great
opportunity to test how well I can write as someone else. 
	It is hard, well not hard, it is different. It requires a very
different thought process and a greater control on the language I can
use.  I would suggest that every author try first person, or third
person if you write first, just to give you a perspective on your
strengths and weaknesses. I become aware of a lot of areas I need to
improve by writing in first person. 
	I would offer one warning though. Don't jump into a different POV with
cold feet. Read other works in that POV. Short stories are always the
best, but there are many great novels that are penned in first person.
Joseph Conrad "The Heart of Darkness" is one of the best. Gary Jennings
"Aztec," "Raptor," and "The Journeyor" are great examples of indepth
plots done in first. Ayn Rand's "Anthem" is also another great one to
give a perspective on what first person allows you to do.
	POv is one of the most important tools in writing an effective story. I
wish I had time to go into the many different aspects that are catered
by each different form, but I want to limit my comments to the main
subject. So just a quick delineation.
	first person offers a limited view that gives the reader direct access
to a character's head and the sights seen through his head. This is
playing Quake.
	Third person limited is bvery much like playing Tomb Raider. You see
what is happeneing but ionyl rom the perspective of the one character.
it is nearly identical to first person. I is changed for he/she. It also
gives the author the ability to coach things in his own words.
	Omniscient is like playing warcraft II without the battle fog on. You
see everything, can get in everyone's head, switch cenes and places at
will. Their is no required character, story, time, or action continuity
required beyond that of decent taste. (See the Illumintus trrilogy for
the most bizarre form of Omniscient voice)

	Okay I've wasted enough time

	Until next time
	Joseph A. Kohle