I want to write a book in first POV and I need some help

[Guest]

.. Any advice when writing in first pov?

[Bran]

I'd say just avoid it. It is the hardest perspective to write from in my opinion, but if you do choose to accept the challenge be sure to pick the tense that you see the story in. For instance, first person present tense. Describe the things around you to build setting, tone and character descriptions. Be an Observer and document what you see.

Good luck.

[Shayne]

The most important piece of advice I can think of for writing in 1st Person is to focus on what is around your character and what other people are doing. Poorly written 1st Person winds up with a lot of "I do this" and "I can see that", and all the "I"s get really repetitive really quickly. So, to avoid that repetition, it's best to focus on the world around the MC and avoid filter words as much as you can. For example, instead of...

"I can hear the sound of cars driving by on the street."

…you just describe what's going on...

"Out on the street, the sound of cars driving by is a never-ending hum."

Obviously you're going to have to use "I" sometimes, but if you focus on the world around the MC, it will help to avoid over-use.

[Mabel-Rose]

Stay in only the pov head your in. Filter everything through that characters personality and their twisted look on life.

[Pippa]

If you want it to be more like the character is facing the story as it passes, write it in present tense - be aware that you have to pace scenes differently this way than in past tense. If you want it to be more of a recounted story, like they've written down the story or like they're telling it after the event has occurred, write it in past tense.

If you're writing in past tense, you can never write a scene in present tense, but you can write parts in past tense if your story is in present due to narrative purposes.

[Ruriks]

1. Read a couple books in first person. It’ll help your instincts to keep things straight.

2. Don't be afraid to make gaps in your timeline. Some of the best books I've read in 1st pov had a month or longer timeline.