Jul 07

4 Comments · Adult reading, Authors Promoting Authors, Blog Spotlights, Guest Author day, Uncategorized, authors

Writing in First Person

A fan recently wrote an unsolicited e-mail in which she said;

Hi; I just finished reading Love Cuffs and wanted you and your writing partner Dalton Diaz to know how much I enjoyed it. It was just about the most entertaining and funny story I’ve read to date; certainly up there with the likes of Amarinda Jones who also writes humorous erotic fiction (a favorite Authoress of mine). I almost didn’t read it Love Cuffs either and boy, would I have missed out on one fabulous tale. I normally don’t read stores written in the first-person and that is what almost kept me from reading Love Cuffs BUT thankfully the subject of the story attracted me and I dove-in!

It’s a wonderfully humorous story and I loved it from beginning to end. You (Ashlyn) and Dalton did a fantastic writing job and I’ll be looking for more of your stories in the future. I did notice that there are already stories out by you and I’ll be checking into those shortly.

Thank you for such a fine story. It’s always a pleasure to find new favorite writers.
Take care.
Colleen
Goleta, CA

Personally, I love writing in first person and have done so in Wonder Witch, Oh My God, Love Cuffs and Being Randy. It brings you one step closer to your protagonist (lead character.) I just submerge myself in his or her mindset and experience the adventure.

I suddenly find myself thinking like a coyote (Being Randy) or a cat (Wonder Witch) or a female cop (Love Cuffs.) It must be what actors mean when they say, “It was so much fun playing that role.” And talk about fun, Oh My God was about a Greek God. Imagine yourself as a God—not just any God, but Dionysus, the biggest party boy of Mount Olympus! The story was nominated for an Eppie, so my having fun paid off.

If the author is enjoying their work, most readers can sense it and will enjoy the story more. Granted, not everyone writes comedies, and dark novels full of angst might bring about other emotions. Often an author pours their heart and soul into their story. I can tell when that’s the case and I’ll bet other readers can too. That doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying themselves. Some really want to yank your heartstrings.

I actually made myself cry as I was writing once! Yes…I had a big ol’ sappy reaction to my own story! And that wasn’t even in first person. (Vampire Vintage) I sometimes get mad at authors who make me cry. No, I don’t walk up to them at the next conference and chew them out, but I cuss them out in my own living room, big time. Some people like a good cry. I don’t. I like a good laugh.

And after all, writers are just readers with control issues. Another reason I like first person…the characters (at least the one whose head I’m in) seem to do what I want them to do and say what I want them to say. Other characters will kidnap the plot, insist on doing things their own way and refuse to cooperate until I give in. *Sigh. Okay, so they’re usually right and the story turns out much better if I listen. But in first person, I’m kind of listening to me!

Comments

4 Responses to “Guest Author Day with Ashlyn Chase”

  1. Amber Skyze on July 7th, 2009 5:30 pm

    I love writing in first person, too! And I love your books, Ash!

  2. Sam Cheever on July 7th, 2009 5:39 pm

    Hey Ashlyn!

    Great post! I had to pipe in here because I write about half of my stories in first person and I love it! Nothing puts you into a character’s head like first person POV…it is the most like real life experience of any of the POVs. It is life, action, and emotions as felt by a single character, moving through the events of the story as we move through our lives, not knowing what’s coming around the corner at us and being reduced to reacting to whatever it is as it hits us. It allows us to envision their world the way they see it. And some of the best writers write in 1st person: Janet Evanovich, Laurell K Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Kim Harrison, Kelley Armstrong, Sam Cheever, and Ashlyn Chase!

  3. Raine Delight on July 7th, 2009 5:48 pm

    I love reading 1st POV but have trouble writing it. *sigh*

    Thanks Ash for sharing your article with us and I think I am going to check out some more authors to enjoy. *grins*
    Raine D.

  4. Ashlyn Chase on July 8th, 2009 1:37 am

    Thanks for commenting, everyone! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who loves 1st person!

    Ash

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