Wrote another chapter in my urban fantasy today. I should hit seventy-five pages tomorrow. It’s coming along nicely. Going to have to play with the storyline a bit to make sure I know what the next few chapters will hold.
It’s been a long time since I’ve written this much by the seat of my pants. I have to admit that it makes me a little nervous, which is weird considering I used to write this way ALL the time. I guess I’ve changed or my writing has…or perhaps it’s a bit of both.
Anyway, I’m pleased with the progress and the story. I am surprised by how much fun I’m having writing this book in first person. Yes, it still scares me because I’ve never done it before, but it’s also extremely liberating. Maybe I should’ve tried it sooner.(wg) Nah, probably not. I don’t think I was ready.
Is there anything artistic you’ve been wanting to do, but were afraid to try? Perhaps now is the time. 
June 2nd, 2006
The first ‘big book’ I wrote (not published yet) was 1st person, so it was a bit difficult at first for me to go into 3rd person. For me, the biggest challenge (which now I can’t seem to get out of on those big books) was writing in more than 1 POV - as in 3 or 4 women, not the hero and heroine of romance but having numerous protagonists in mainstream.
Oddly enough, I’ve found that I tend to head-hop more when there are only 2 characters than when there are 3 or 4! - lol
by Sunny Lyn June 2nd, 2006 at 11:19 pmJordan, do you approach writing in first person differently? I don’t, but I’ve not exactly settled on a writing method yet.
by May June 3rd, 2006 at 5:24 amI really want to take up graphic art….but I’m afraid it would take away from my writing. In fact, I know it would. I’m an obsessive/compulsive that way…
by Vivi Anna June 3rd, 2006 at 9:04 amI write YA in first person and love it. Someday I’ll have to try a romance in first person. Good luck with the one you’re working on! Urban paranormals are SO in right now!
by Cheyenne McCray June 3rd, 2006 at 9:12 amActually, I am trying the artistic thing that I’ve always wanted to do but was afraid to. Writing and Photography. Considering I was an Accounting major in school and spent 18 years as a Systems Analyst and Programmer… that’s a pretty big leap for me.
by Bryan June 3rd, 2006 at 10:19 amSunny, That’s interesting that you switch more with fewer people, but I suppose it’s understandable. You want to break up the flow of two to get both perspectives.
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 4:17 pmMay, Actually, I do. For some reason when I’m writing first person, I become hyper-sensitive to the world. Since the whole story has to be told by one person, I find it extremely challenging to balance world-building, characterization, and storytelling. I am enjoying it, but it’s not easy. :/
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 4:20 pmVivi Anna, There are a lot of authors who are also graphic artists and web designers. I think if you wanted to do it, you’d have to learn how to schedule.
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 4:21 pmChey, I’m just taking your advice from long ago and finally writing that first person book. (wg)
It’s definitely fun and I’m sure this won’t be the last first person book that I write. 
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 4:23 pmBryan, Since I’m married to a man who used to program for a living, I know exactly how big of a leap that is for you. Good luck with both endeavors.
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 4:25 pmActually, I’m doing something right now that I’ve never done before: writing an erotic short story. It’s romantica, not too hardcore, but I’ve never written in that style and I’ve never really written a short story before either. So it’s been a lot of fun!
Now let’s just see if I can get it published…
by Karen June 3rd, 2006 at 4:50 pmI’m with Sunny….third person is much harder for me and I do head hop more. It’s a lot harder for me to get my bearings in third. Considering right now I’m working in third, you can immagine my level of frustration.
I would love to tackle an alternate reality story (someday soon)
by Cece June 3rd, 2006 at 5:01 pmCongrats Karen! Good for you for venturing into new territory. Fingers crossed you sell it fast.
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 5:35 pmCece, I think it all comes down to what you start in. If you start out writing third person stories, then they tend to be a more comfortable place. I like them because I REALLY like having the hero’s POV in a story. Same goes for if you start in first, you’re naturally going to be more at ease in that role. Keep at it. If I can do this, you can do that.
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 5:37 pmI’m enjoying my first person project! Can’t get back to it until I wrap up a few other things, but I really like it.
by Charlene June 3rd, 2006 at 7:13 pmJordan you’re right…I’ve done both but it’s been a LONG time since I’ve worked in third! I’d much rather alternate both but it’s a novella, and I figured that’d be pushing it, so I’m sticking with all third. *sigh*
by Cece June 3rd, 2006 at 7:49 pmNever found a first person romance that I’ve liked, so won’t write one. I read romance to watch two people fall in love, not one. Now, any other genre I don’t have a problem with it. From what I understand though, it’s one of the hardest POV to write in - so hats off to you and those who write that way. I’ll keep trying them though because I figure someday somebody will write one I’ll like. And I’m doing the artistic thing now. I’m writing - something I never thought I would do seriously in a million years.
by Eve June 3rd, 2006 at 9:05 pmCharlene, Me too!
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 10:13 pmCece, Yeah, that’s a little too short to switch back and forth in. Hang in there. You CAN do it!
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 10:13 pmEve, I understand what you mean. I’m SUPER picky when it comes to first person books period. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a romance or not. I’m actually not writing a romance, even though there is a romance in the book. It’s an urban fantasy.
I’m curious did you like romances years ago, when they were only written in the heroine’s third person point of view? I know a lot of people forget that’s how the first romance novels were written. The authors, for the most part, did such a good job with it that you didn’t notice anything missing.
Good for you for flexing those writing muscles.
Keep at it.
by Jordan June 3rd, 2006 at 10:18 pmI don’t know if I can really answer that. I began reading romances in the mid-70s, so I know what you’re talking about. I asked my mother once how it felt to be poor in the Depression. She said she didn’t know that she was poor because they were in the same position as everyone else. I think that’s the closest to an answer on that I can give. I loved them because I didn’t know of any other way. They still weren’t in first person - I read romance because I like to imagine that the hero is in love with me. For some reason the “I” keeps bringing me out of that dream. It’s hard to explain. I do remember when the Desires first came out with the Man of the Month series and that was the first time I had ever seen the hero’s POV - I was hooked from that moment on. Urban Fantasy - Kewl. Like I said, for some odd, weird, reason I don’t mind if it’s not a romance. I love The Dresden Files, for instance. Okay, that’s the most I’ve ever written before coffee. Must.get.coffee.
by Eve June 4th, 2006 at 4:33 amReally, Jordan? Coool! Now I need to try it! LOL
by Cheyenne McCray June 4th, 2006 at 8:16 amEve, Good point. I have to say that my preference for reading romance is still third person. Outside of romance, I don’t care as long as I like the voice. I love the Dresden Files and Nightlife by Rob Thurman.
by Jordan June 4th, 2006 at 9:27 amChey, Yep, it’s the truth.
You were reading one of my first books that contained diary entries and told me I should be writing something first person like chick-lit. *ggg* This book isn’t exactly chick-lit, but my heroine’s attitude sure is. (wg) I’m sure you would knock the POV out of the park, if you did try.
by Jordan June 4th, 2006 at 9:32 amI have written some short stories in first person (even first person present tense) but I have yet to try it for a novel. Since I usually write multiple and omniscient POV, that will prove difficult, but there’s is a future plotbunny I see as first person book.
by Gabriele June 4th, 2006 at 12:10 pmGabriele, *ggg* Isn’t it funny how these little challenges pop up when we least expect them?
by Jordan June 4th, 2006 at 4:17 pm