First-Person POV: Voice and Perspective

Have you ever felt inside your character’s head, seeing the world as they do? That is the magic of the first-person POV. (Point Of View). First-person POV is one of the most personal and powerful techniques in storytelling. 

In this guide, we will explore what a first-person POV is and how you can utilize it to your advantage. 

Definition of First-Person Point of View

First-person POV is a narrative style in which a story is told from a character’s perspective, using pronouns like “I,” “me,” “my,” or “mine.” You experience the story through their eyes, only knowing what they perceive.

For example:

“I sought refuge in the shadow from the scorching sun.”

Benefits of Using First-Person POV in Fiction

Writers choose first-person POV because it creates emotional intimacy with the audience. The reader gets an insight into the character’s world. The story is told in a way that the reader can see what the character sees. They hear the character’s thoughts and emotions like they are inside their head. Which causes the reader to get to know the character. Every thought, fear, and hope is shared directly, making it incredibly easy to sympathize with the character. 

Another reason is that readers can feel more invested in the character’s struggles and successes. As the reader follows the story, they gain a deeper understanding of the character’s life. Readers do not just observe these struggles, they live through them alongside the character. Making the audience root for them. 

First-person narration creates a limited perspective, where the audience knows only as much as the narrator does. Writers can use this as a plot device to keep readers on the edge of their seats. 

Additionally, the first-person POV allows the character’s voice to carry through the story. The character’s emotions, goals, and traits come to life, making them feel real and relatable. This personal touch makes the story more compelling and memorable, as readers connect with the character’s authentic self.

Examples in Fiction

“Dear friend, I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand and didn’t try to sleep with that person at that party even though you could have.”

— Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. 

In this novel, Charlie is telling the story from his perspective. The audience experienced his life via letters he wrote to an unknown person. We learned how he felt, what he thought about, his fears, and his dreams. Above all, we did not see how Charlie’s life was objectively, but rather how Charlie perceives himself. 

Strengths and Limitations of First-Person Perspective

Pros:

• Creates a deep emotional connection with readers
• Reveals character’s feelings and motivations naturally
• Delivers authentic voice and personal storytelling
• Builds suspense and mystery effectively

Cons:

•  Restricts narrative to the narrator’s knowledge and observations
• Cannot directly show events outside the narrator’s presence
• May become repetitive with “I” statements
• Risks of reader fatigue from a single viewpoint

Frequent Mistakes in Writing

Many beginner writers make these common mistakes. It is easy to fall into these traps, but what is important is to prevent them from becoming habits that might stunt your growth as an author. 

For starters, head-hopping. Head-hopping is when you accidentally jump into other characters’ thoughts and feelings. To avoid head-hopping in first-person POV, stick closely to what the narrator personally knows and senses. You should not include other characters’ private thoughts or emotions, because the narrator would not have direct access to them. If you want to show us other characters’ thoughts, you can do that through actions, body language, or dialogue. 

Besides that, many writers tend to overuse “I” when they write in first-person POV. While it is natural to do so, the character is telling their own story; overusing “I” can make the writing feel repetitive and choppy. To avoid this, try varying your sentence structure. You can use the setting or action to start a sentence.

For example, instead of saying “I felt cold. I wanted to put on a jacket,” you can say “Cold wind spread goosebumps across my arms. The jacket hanging on the chair looked tempting.” You avoid using “I,” and it makes room for sensory details to make the story immersive. 

Lastly, a common mistake is breaking immersion by having the protagonist describe things they would not realistically notice or think about in the moment. For example, during a tense scene, it would not feel natural for the character to suddenly pause and describe the color of the curtains or the history of the room. This pulls readers out of the moment and makes the narration feel a bit odd. To avoid this, use context clues from the scene you are writing. Think of what the character would truly be thinking, feeling, or noticing during that moment. A general rule is to imagine yourself in the shoes of that character.

Beginner Tips for Writing in First Person

Writing in the first person can confuse many, while others have the opposite experience. First-person narrative can be a writer’s greatest weapon. Therefore, approach it thoughtfully. Here is some advice to consider to bring your story from flat to life.

When writing a story from the perspective of a character, one of the most important things an author can do is to put themselves in the character’s shoes. Fully immerse yourself in their thoughts, senses, and experience. For the time when you are writing, become the characters. Ask yourself: What would they see at this moment? What would they think if someone said that? Using this method would give an accurate representation of the character’s reaction. 

While you are writing from a character’s perspective, include sensory detail. You probably hear “show, don’t tell” countless times. It is because you want to be in the moment rather than describing it in a passive voice. Sensory details aid in building a connection to the character. For example, instead of saying “it rained,” write “water dripped on my head, soaking my hair and leaving strange, spreading stains on my shirt.” These small sensory details make the scene more engaging and visual.

Writing in the first person is a powerful tool. With these two tips, you can create an authentic and rich story infused with your protagonist’s voice. 

Creative Exercise for Practicing First-Person POV

Challenge yourself by writing a short scene where your protagonist is arguing with their friend. Use the character’s senses and imagine what is going on inside their head. Take what you learned from this lesson and apply it to your writing.

Bringing It All Together: First-Person Writing Tips

First-person POV portrays the protagonist as they view themselves. It also makes an excellent plotting device to build momentum in your novel. By understanding the first-person POV, avoiding common mistakes, and practising, you can master this technique and become one of your best tools.