Writer's Fallout Shelter

I've read a couple of WC threads over the years regarding tense. There's something of any old adage among seasoned writers and writing instructors regarding first person/present (or past, for that matter). <b>"It's not the most difficult perspective/tense to use. It is, however, the most difficult to use well."</b>.

Like most aspects of the craft, there are certain rules of usage that govern success. First person requires a strong ability to write dialogue. The character(s) must have strong and interesting "voices" or the meduim fails. And when first person fails, it goes down kicking and screaming. When done poorly, the character(s) seem wooden, or stilted, or bogus, or full of flowery "purple prose"...or all the above. Ugly, ugly, ugly. However, when it works, as in the case of Abundance, it works seemlessly. I wish I had a knack for first person/any tense. I don't.

With third person, the writer has the benefit of distance. Dialogue is still important, but narrative is actually the subtle engine for the story. The great dangers with third person/past is verb usage and the ever sneaky adverb.

Dialogue and narrative are two very different skill sets. I don't pretend to be an expert on either, but I know 'em when I see 'em, and have great respect for anyone who can write both well.


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"Have you ever been caught hiding bodies in your closet? No? Good place to hide them, uh?"

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