The Trendsetter

So, it has been almost two months since I completed my short story and I’m still working on improving it so it looks like it was written by someone who knows how to write fiction. Well, it’s almost there and I’m still trying to find a way to improve the story’s depth. So far, I’ve polished the characters and each has a life. As far as the theme is concerned, I figured it’s really tied to the characters or plot. So, I also summarized the theme for my own reference. I also improved the dialogues so it has more slants and not bores the reader.

I am not sure if I found my own voice yet.

Well, I had read my manuscript for about a thousand times now and my senses are callous – I just couldn’t find a way to improve it anymore. You see, sometimes your role as a reader and critic for your own fiction has run its course. My other half who happens to be my best critic for my manuscript has also gotten numb to it.

Oh by the way, I wrote my short story in the third person point of view.

Then, for no apparent reason, I change the point of view to first person point of view. I used “She and he” before and now I’ve changed it all to “I”.

Imagine the difference it shows!

The first version with the third person’s point of view was a little distant when I read it. The second version with the first person point of view drew me closer to the main characters so I think I will stick to the first person point of view. I just realized that the story is better written in first person point of view.

What types of stories are best told using the first person point of view? My short story has elements of suspense and confession in it, so I do think that the first person point of view is the best for this type of story – especially for the suspense. Since the first person point of view is so restrained to the extend, that the reader will not know what happens until the main character (the narrator) will tell the reader what she or he saw or felt. With this point of view, the narrator will not know what other characters are doing. This will hold the reader’s interest to the very end.

So, when you’re stuck in a rut like me with your manuscript, try changing the point of view. If you wrote your version in first person point of view, try changing it to the third person point of view and vice versa. You will see the difference and don’t forget to let someone read both versions.

Happy writing!