How To Write In First Person – Top Tips & Mistakes To Avoid In 2024

Love it or hate it, learning how to write in first person allows you to create a deep connection between the reader and your narrative – when used correctly!

Don’t look any further than J.D. Salinger, who brought Holden Caulfield to life in ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ or Suzanne Collins, who kept readers latched to her plot in ‘The Hunger Games’ through the eyes of Katniss Everdeen. The good news? You can use the same techniques these authors used in your own novel or creative story.

Ready to make your narrative voice as engaging as these literary greats? Let’s get started!

What Is First Person Point of View?

First person point of view (POV) is a narrative style where the story is told from the perspective of the narrator using “I” or “we.” It’s like stepping into the narrator’s shoes and watching the world through their eyes. Stories in this perspective create an intimate reading experience, from the introspective reflections in Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” to the immersive adventures in “Percy Jackson & The Olympians” by Rick Riordan.

How Is It Different from Third Person and Second Person Perspective?

As we’ve covered, first person perspective immerses readers in the narrator’s personal experience using “I” or “we,” creating an intimate and direct connection with the story.

Example: “I walked through the bustling market, the scents of spices and fresh bread filling my senses.”

 In contrast, third person perspective uses “he,” “she,” or “they,” creating a detached and broader view of events, which can shift focus between multiple characters and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the plot and world.

Example: “She walked through the bustling market, the scents of spices and fresh bread filling her senses.”

Second person perspective, using “you,” addresses the reader directly, making them a character in the story. This can be engaging but is less common because it’s difficult to write! Imagine needing to write every sentence addressed to “you”, the reader.

Example: “You walk through the bustling market, the scents of spices and fresh bread filling your senses.”

Each perspective offers unique advantages and can significantly influence the reader’s experience and engagement with the narrative.

3 Reasons Why You Should Know How to Write in First Person

1. Unique Perspective: First person point of view allows readers to experience the protagonist’s emotions, thoughts and actions firsthand. For example, in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Scout Finch’s first person narrative provides an innocent yet profound perspective on the social injustices of her time. Indeed Scout’s father explains it perfectly when he says: ‘”You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” 

2. Increases Reader Empathy: Readers can understand and feel the character’s emotions and struggles, making the story more impactful. For example, in “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green, readers connect deeply with Hazel Grace’s journey through her witty and poignant narration. This connection helps readers experience her joys and sorrows as if they were theirs.  

3. Suspense and Mystery: The reader has a limited perspective of the story because the narrator presents all of the details, and who knows what they could be hiding? This POV works particularly well in ‘whodunits’ such as Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl”. Flynn shifts between the perspectives of Nick and Amy to keep readers speculating about Amy’s disappearance. 

5 Tips for Writing in First Person Narrator

1. Develop a Strong Narrative Voice: Your narrator’s voice should be distinct and consistent. Consider how Holden Caulfield’s cynical yet insightful tone defines “The Catcher in the Rye.”

“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”

2. Don’t Depend on Internal Monologue: Use sensory details and internal monologue to convey emotions and events. In “The Hunger Games,” Katniss’s thoughts and observations vividly depict her fear and determination.

“A foul, rotten taste pervades my mouth, and the water has little effect on it. I drag myself over to the honeysuckle bush and pluck a flower. I gently pull the stamen through the blossom and set the drop of nectar on my tongue. The sweetness spreads through my mouth, down my throat, warming my veins with memories of summer, and my home woods and Gale’s presence beside me.”

3. Balance Internal and External Action: Ensure your narrative includes the character’s internal reflections and interactions with the world. Harper Lee balances Scout’s thoughts on her father’s advice while describing her actions in “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough”.

4. Keep the Narrator’s Knowledge Limited: Maintain realism by sharing what the narrator knows and experiences. For example, in “Gone Girl,” Amy’s diary entries reveal her thoughts and feelings while concealing critical truths, creating suspense.

“I often don’t say things out loud, even when I should. I contain and compartmentalize to a disturbing degree: In my belly-basement are hundreds of bottles of rage, despair, fear, but you’d never guess from looking at me.”

5. Use Flashbacks Sparingly: Flashbacks can provide backstory but should be used judiciously to avoid disrupting the narrative flow. In “The Great Gatsby,” F. Scott Fitzgerald uses flashbacks to reveal Nick Carraway’s past, such as when he recalls his father’s advice, without overwhelming the present storyline​. 

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”

Mistakes To Avoid When Writing In First Person

1. Too Much Internal Monologue: Too much introspection can slow down the plot to snail pace. So, balance thoughts with action and dialogue to keep the story dynamic. Let’s take a look at this example that has a drawn-out feeling: 

“I couldn’t stop thinking about my meeting later. I wondered if I would say the right things and make a good impression. My mind was racing with possibilities and fears.”

A character’s thoughts are interesting but then they are the only window the reader has into the story, it can get a little bland. Now let’s look at the same sentence, but this time, sensory description and action are added:

“I couldn’t stop thinking about my meeting later as I walked through the park. The crisp autumn air filled my lungs, and the crunch of leaves under my feet echoed my nervous heartbeat.”

See the difference? Describe the whole scene in your story, not just the one in the narrator’s mind. 

2. Lack of Character Development: Ensure your narrator evolves throughout the story. Static characters can make the narrative feel flat and unengaging.

For example, in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, Elizabeth Bennet starts off with a strong prejudice against Mr. Darcy:

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”

By the end of the novel, Elizabeth’s perspective has significantly changed as she recognizes her own biases and misjudgments:

“Till this moment, I never knew myself.” 

Elizabeth’s growth throughout the novel adds depth to her character, keeping the reader invested in her journey and personal growth.

3. Ignoring Other Characters: Even though it’s a first-person narrative, develop other characters fully through their interactions with the narrator. It can be easy to fall into the trap of starting every sentence with “I,” but this can make the narrative feel narrow and repetitive: 

“I walked into the room and saw John. I felt nervous about the meeting. I noticed he was holding a folder and I wondered what was inside. I sat down and waited for him to speak.”

Do you see how the reader isn’t seeing, hearing, or thinking these things through the narrator—they’re being told about the narrator’s experiences? Let’s improve these sentences: 

“As I walked into the room, John looked up and smiled, his grip tightening on the folder he held. Nervousness churned in my stomach as I took my seat. ‘I’ve been waiting to discuss this with you,’ he said, breaking the silence. The air felt tense, and the rustle of papers echoed my anxious thoughts.”

Now, the scene includes internal reflections and interactions with another character, making the narrative richer and incorporating the principle of ‘show, don’t tell’.

Can First Person Be Past Tense?

Yes, first person can be written in past tense, which is quite common. It allows the narrator to reflect on past events with the benefit of hindsight. For example, in ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald,  Nick Carraway narrates and reflects on his life: ‘In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since’.

Are First Person Books Good?

First person books are incredibly enjoyable when done well. They offer a unique, intimate perspective that can draw readers deeply into the story. However, like any narrative style, the success of first person POV depends on the writer’s skill in developing a compelling voice and maintaining a balanced narrative.