| Point of view – first person, third person (more common). First person gives a more immediate sense of involvement to the reader, but ultimate limits to what can be known to the protagonist. Third person can be limited viewpoint (similar to effect of first person) or third person omniscient, which means narrative can go anywhere as required to advance the story.
Tense – present, past (more common). Present tense can sound awkward if maintained over a long time period. Past tense can be cumbersome when dealing with past events within the past (had had had). |