How to write

 Your story may be told in the First (I), Second (You) or Third Person (They) perspective.  Further, the perspective may be Objective (without emotional implication), Subjective (of certain opinion), Omniscient (all knowing) or Limited Omniscient (limited to one character)

The first person perspective is the most limiting, because the reader can only know as much as the character telling the story.  Some writers work their way around this limitation by alternating between first and third person.  To avoid confusion, it’s best to shift at a chapter break, rather then mid chapter. 

Sue Grafton has written a successful series of books, all told from the first person perspective of her protagonist.

“My name is Kinsey Millhone. I’m a private investigator, licensed by the state of California. I’m thirty-two years old, twice divorced, no kids. The day before yesterday I killed someone and the fact weights heavily on my mind. I’m a nice person and I have a lot of friends. My apartment is small but I like living in a cramped space.” A is for Alibi, Sue Grafton

If this same passage was written in third person perspective it would feel much different.

“Kinsey Millhone is a private investigator, licensed by the stat of California. She is thirty-two years old, twice divorced and has no kids. The day before yesterday she killed someone and she is deeply troubled.  She considers herself a nice person and she has a lot of friends….”

When told from the first person, Millhone’s directness provides insight into her personality.  Told in the same matter of fact style, but in third person, it is flat and abrupt.  What a difference a few words can make!

Another example is Dean Koontz’s series of books about Odd Thomas. The young man’s narrative is infused with his humility and humor.

“MY NAME IS ODD THOMAS, though in this age when fame is the altar at which most people worship, I am not sure why you should care who I am or that I exist.

I am not a celebrity. I am not the child of a celebrity. I have never been married to, never been abused by, and never provided a kidney for transplantation into any celebrity. Furthermore, I have no desire to be a celebrity.

In fact I am such a nonentity by the standards of our culture that People magazine not only will never feature a piece about me but might also reject my attempts to subscribe to their publication on the grounds that the black-hole gravity of my noncelebrity is powerful enough to suck their entire enterprise into oblivion.”"   - Odd Thomas, Dean Koontz

Second person perspectives are rarely used in fiction because they are difficult to maintain.  They are more familiar in non-fiction works, such as self help or instructional books.

“Try imagining a force that’s everywhere. There’s no place that you can go where it isn’t. It can’t be divided and is present in everything you see or touch. Now extend your awareness of this infinite field of energy beyond the world of form and boundaries.” -  The Power of Intention, Wayne Dwyer

Third person narratives are much more common.

Stories may be told from one person’s perspective (limited) but they are still in third person.

 ”He enjoyed the early-morning stillness, cruising the stretch of open freeway, witnessing the fireworks on the eastern horizon. He reveled in the forty minutes of solitude and resented the intrusion of the call, the location so close he couldn’t ignore it, his mind forced to snap into work-mode.”  False Prophet, Faye Kellerman

Or the narrator may be a God like presence, casually observing all that happens and knowing every thought.  If this is the case, it’s important to maintain a consistent POV in each scene.

Shifting POV in the middle of a scene can be jarring and it creates greater distance between the characters and reader.  If you do decide to shift POV, do so carefully and intentionally.   

The following is told from one character’s POV

She wondered if the relationship could be salvaged. “He must think I’m crazy.” She thought, considering the conversations of the last few days.  If the tables were turned, she would certainly doubt his sanity.  She just hoped he would listen to her explanation.

This example shows a shifting POV

She wondered if the relationship could be salvaged.  He thought she was crazy after the last two days. She hoped he would give her the benefit of the doubt and just listen to her explanation.

Decide who can tell your story the best.  Each character will have their own style and perspective which warrants consideration. If you find yourself struggling to maintain a perspective, consider changing it. Always be willing to play and explore with different perspectives because you might be pleasantly surprised with the results.