POV: Point Of View 

First Person Point of View
We have already discussed basic Points of View. Here we look a little deeper into writing fiction in the first person. No matter which POV you choose, to keep your reader hooked, the narrator needs to be consistent.

Looking at First Person, we leave the reader to trust the narrator. The narrator gives us their perception of action and emotion. The reader must trust Their understanding of the overall situation could be flawed.

Example of First Person Protagonist: In this point of view the narrator tells the story.

"I knew it was a mistake. The minute I walked into the house. I could see the shadows move, the smell of rats and moldy straw made me gag. A stale breeze circled my ankles."

Example of First Person Witness: A witness tells the main character's story.

"I could see her open the door. Around her the shadows moved. Her nose wrinkled, her mouth as she looked toward me with a silent warning. A stale breeze stirred the dust at her feet."

Example of First Person Re-teller: A third person tells the story as it has been related to them.

"I can only tell you what I heard. When she opened the door, she saw the shadows move. The smell, she said was awful. Like moldy straw and rat droppings. The breeze coming from the cellar was stale, or so she said."

Example of First Person Singular. Good for informal writing. This POV tends to involve the reader.
"I am not going to listen to you now. On Monday I will explain everything."

Example of First Person Plural. Less informal, but leads the reader to being in partnership with the author.
"We are not listening to you now. On Monday we will explain everything."

This point of view can be used effectively to encourage the reader to empathize with the main character. When using first person point of view, there are a few things to watch for.

Who is telling the story and why is the story being told? If told as a story, or written as an account, a diary or log or letter, each situation will need different style. If it is a tale told over drinks, or a historical recollection the tone and voice will be different. Think of how people chat at the pub, compared with how they talk on the phone; address a crowd of strangers or a group of friends at a wedding.

Listen and watch how people chat. Listen to dialogue and note how manners change in different situations.

When is the fiction being written? Is it immediate, as if inside the narrator's head, is it written as if spoken to a public gathering or written as a recollection.

How accurate is the narrators understanding? Can their account be trusted? How biased is there version of events?

Before you begin to write using this point of view, examine your plot arc, your character's profile and the extent of interaction in your settings. Consider if this Point of View offers enough scope for your Fantasy fiction.

Although this POV is useful for maintaining empathy for the character, there are limitations and for Fantasy fiction, it is not the normal choice for emerging authors.

Think of the different ways people talk or write. Experiment with writing as if from a diary or a military report. Try writing a short scene using each type of first person viewpoint.