Can first and third person live together?

by Jacqueline
(Italy)

Dear Audrey,

If I'm writing in first person, can I write my second POV character in third person?

Thank you,
Jacqueline

Comments for Can first and third person live together?

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Mar 15, 2010
Thanks
by: Jacqueline

Thank you everyone for your feedback.
Jacqueline

Mar 13, 2010
Definitely
by: Sophie :)

As long as you make it clear who's speaking, or who's veiw it's from, it's easy. Look at Jodi Picoult. I say go for it! x

Mar 12, 2010
POV
by: Audrey

As you've outlined it, yes, it can work. Just be aware of what you are doing and don't cross chapter boundaries.

Mar 12, 2010
Can first and third person live together?
by: Jacqueline

Dear Audrey,
I will try to be clearer about my writing:I have written the main character, Emma, in the first person. In chapters, all by himself, I have her husband, Julian, giving his point of view in the third person. I don't have them both giving their POV at the same time. Can this work?

Thank you, Anonymous, for your suggestions, I will try and get my hands on the books you speak of.

Mar 11, 2010
examples of 1st and 3rd person living together
by: Anonymous

I can think of a couple examples where writers have done this. Jennifer Weiner, in Little Earthquakes, has one POV character in the first-person, and the others in the third. Also, Diana Gabaldan in at least some of the Outlander series books, does the same thing.

Mar 11, 2010
Example Please
by: Audrey

I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Can you give me an example of how this would sound? You may have to show a couple of paragraphs to be really clear, but that's OK.

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