I was actually tiny bit disappointed in The Hunger Games. I thought it was very good, sure. It did make me cry, but everything does. I think I just dislike first person POV more and more all the time unless the voice is so amazing it makes me not care.
Is this the first draft of the second book you are working on?
I think first person is overrated and sometimes overused, yes. It seems to me that it's become a shortcut to making you identify with the character, and that identification isn't always earned.
I think the best time to use first person is when the person's perspective is really unusual or interesting -- that's why I'm using it in my YA SF novel, because the narrator has a unique way of looking at the world that simply wouldn't come across the same in third person. But for general adventure-type narrative, I think third can be even stronger than first person.
I could see The Hunger Games in third working just as well -- but on the other hand, I thought the choice of first wasn't actually a bad one. It just seems to be the way of the YA world right now. I remember editor Andrew Karre remarking on a session about YA as a Genre that "if it's YA and the book isn't in first person, I want to know why." I think a lot of editors share that sentiment these days.
And yes, it's the first draft of Book II that's in the pipe at the moment.
In general update news, I'm still slogging away on Wayfarer to the tune of 1500-2000 new words a day
Oh, yay! *hugs* That's wonderful! I'm glad you're making such good progress. (And it's so much better to cut 1200 words today and see a mistake in the making than it would be to go off down a wrong path and have to figure out how to fix it later.)
I was just thinking about Knife the other day--missing Paul, of course--and I can't wait to read Wayfarer! I'm free as a bird after the 13th if you want a cheerleader. *bats eyelashes, pretends this is not as selfishly-motivated as it is* ;)
Btw, if you want something new to read, after the 13th, I might have something to send you... *cough* (I'd love your opinion! And Finn misses you.)
Congrats again on the progress on Wayfarer. You'll be done in no time!
I would totally love to read your something new! I miss Finn too. And I would love to have you read mine, although we'll have to see how close I actually end up to my deadline before it's finished. I'd like the chance to revise it at least a little before I release it into the wild. :)
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Is this the first draft of the second book you are working on?
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I think the best time to use first person is when the person's perspective is really unusual or interesting -- that's why I'm using it in my YA SF novel, because the narrator has a unique way of looking at the world that simply wouldn't come across the same in third person. But for general adventure-type narrative, I think third can be even stronger than first person.
I could see The Hunger Games in third working just as well -- but on the other hand, I thought the choice of first wasn't actually a bad one. It just seems to be the way of the YA world right now. I remember editor Andrew Karre remarking on a session about YA as a Genre that "if it's YA and the book isn't in first person, I want to know why." I think a lot of editors share that sentiment these days.
And yes, it's the first draft of Book II that's in the pipe at the moment.
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I am jealous.
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We just finished STARCLIMBER at our house. Mixed bag -- but "poo poo the chit"!!!!! was hilarious.
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Ended my life.
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Off to add it to my to-read list...
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Oh, yay! *hugs* That's wonderful! I'm glad you're making such good progress. (And it's so much better to cut 1200 words today and see a mistake in the making than it would be to go off down a wrong path and have to figure out how to fix it later.)
I was just thinking about Knife the other day--missing Paul, of course--and I can't wait to read Wayfarer! I'm free as a bird after the 13th if you want a cheerleader. *bats eyelashes, pretends this is not as selfishly-motivated as it is* ;)
Btw, if you want something new to read, after the 13th, I might have something to send you... *cough* (I'd love your opinion! And Finn misses you.)
Congrats again on the progress on Wayfarer. You'll be done in no time!
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I would totally love to read your something new! I miss Finn too. And I would love to have you read mine, although we'll have to see how close I actually end up to my deadline before it's finished. I'd like the chance to revise it at least a little before I release it into the wild. :)
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