1st pov problem

[Notadate]

I’ve noticed a lot of 1pov suffer from telling rather than showing. The character feeling disconnected from themselves, like always. So they narrate everything about them, like from an outside force. Or they say the idea not registering, but they clearly said it not registering to them.

It seems the author is trying to write a 3rd pov but wanted to write a 1pov.

Example -

I stumbled back, fear clutching onto me. I felt my breath go heavy. My foot caught on something and I fell back. Panic spiked in me. I cursed and began crawling back, the idea of getting up not registering in my mind. (Disconnect. Fine, but it feels weird.)


’Shit, why me, dammi!.’ I stepped back - my foot caught on something - and I tripped. ‘No, dammit, dammit!’ Why did this have to happen to me. I landed on my hands. A burning sensation swelled as small rocks dug themselves into my hand, tearing the skin. I gotta get out of here. I have to get away from it. I crawled back, wincing in pain as the rocks pressed deeper into my flesh. I bumped into a wall. (I’m not the best at 1pov, but I just wanted to give example.)

 

[KuruKinaar]

I struggle with First person POV, I absolutely hate it honestly. I have a very vivid imagination and first person for me is so limited. I love seeing the story in my mind, not just blurry and faint images because it focused more on the feelings and telling of something. I love seeing the world around and being experienced, I love making those memories like I lived them.

I write third person, I feel like there's more that can be done with it. Swapping POV, more description of the scenery, able to jump into the minds of multiple characters and seeing what they feel.

I think the issue is, if someone doesn't have a vivid imagination of what they're writing, it's not going to be well written. You know when a writer sees what they're writing because its painted well through the words. That can be accomplished in first person, it's just not common I assume? First person feels like people who have more emotions rather than images in their head.

That is also just my preference and opinion.

 

[Roseofblades]

I actually feel the opposite. For me writing in 1st person allows me to fully delve into the mind of the narrator. I can justify bombarding the reader with exactly what my character is thinking and focus on writing the story solely from that character's point of view instead of having to give details of things they aren't seeing. This also allows me to describe things in a way that fits that particular character's POV instead of giving vague or general descriptions.

That's not to say I don't see the merits of writing in 3rd person. My other story uses that POV, and it feels just as natural for me to use that as it does writing my primary story. It's far easier to write it as well, since I don't have to go beyond the surface thoughts of each character's mind. This story does require a lot more descriptions of everything happening in the scene, but 3rd person is great for details, less so for emotions.

 

[Sylver]

It works well for some and not for others.

My very first story was in first person, and it helped me get across the ideas, actions and dialogue while keeping it in the perspective of the MC.

My story sucked buuuuut I know a lot of good novels, published ones even, that make it work well!

I think it's up to personal taste really however, it does seem to be the go-to method for first time writers. Maybe that could be what you're getting at? It could be that they're still getting a feel for what writing style works for them. Perhaps you are catching them as they transition toward third person?

Just my two cents, cookie?