Just out of curiosity ...

[sholio]

Yeah, I'm using radio buttons so you have to pick one. *g* This doesn't mean that you'd never read something written in first, or rotating third -- just what you're most comfortable reading, or what might tip the balance if you had to choose between two very similar-looking books or stories. (I'm leaving off second entirely ...)

[Poll #1600796]

Feel free to elaborate on your answer in comments, if you like!

Comments

[friendshipper.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's really interesting -- so you're more okay with 1st in fanfic than in original fic! I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, just that the answers in general seem to run more the other way.

I wonder if it helps to be focused on a specific character, and very familiar with, and comfortable with, his voice?

[leesa_perrie]

You know, thinking about it, I read a lot of biographies that are first person, but when it comes to totally fictional books I tend to find first person off-putting. Not always, but generally speaking - no idea why!

In fanfic, I think you're right about the familiarity of the characters making it more comfortable to read. I certainly prefer Rodney when it's first person, as he's the one I'm most familiar with, though other characters are usually fine too. OC fics in first person are less attractive to me - so, yes, I think it's to do with familiarity! *g*

Of course, I'm reading a novel atm that is first person and not having any problem with it - hadn't even realised it was first person until I thought about it just now!!! - so, sometimes it isn't jarring in original fic!

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think it's to do with genre more than anything. Something that reads like an autobiography will usually work for me in first person, but if it's sci-fi, fantasy or historical fiction, then not so much!