I’ve just started to write a new novel, based in the early years of the eleventh century. I have a protagonist, Leofric the clerk, I know what sort of person he is and what his values and beliefs are likely to be. He is the point of view character.
What I don’t know is whether to write the novel in the first or third person. I know all the arguments, the pros and cons. If I do decide to write third person it would be a very tight focus on Leofric. I would then have the advantage of being able to write about other characters in what I plan to be a wide-ranging novel.
But. But. But. I sense somehow that Leofric has a voice which will be worth listening to. I sense that he will be able to tell the story with zest and a certain irony which will only add to the story.
I have written the first part of the story in third person and then minimally re-wrote it in first person. I’m putting it to bed for a while and then I’ll read both and see which has the most promise.
I think I’ll also re-read out Orson Scott Card’s great book, Characters and Viewpoint. It’s a classic. 
