Re: past/present tense - i think it depends on the time period of the piece. if it's obviously AU, i prefer present. if it's before established events, past. if after or during present events, present.
So, I answered "Depends" on the first two questions but I also considered answering "only in the hands of a very skillful writer" because I think whether or not first or second person can be pulled off depends on the writer. One doesn't have to be a very skillful writer to pull it off though. One just has to A) be able to write in another person's voice and B) Not succumb to telling the reader EVERYTHING that's going in the character's head.
I think the only reason that people are wary of first and second person is because when they go wrong, they go wrong SPECTACULARLY. And hilariously. "It was a dark and stormy night. Dark and stormy LIKE MY SOUL!!" You know, that whole thing.
I like first person if it's done well. This goes for both fanfic and published work. I think there may be an upswing in popularity because of Twilight and Hunger Games? Anyway, when it's fanfic of TV or movies, most people go with third person to be closer to the POV of the source, I think, but that's not necessary. It IS essential to have a strong voice with first person
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just depends. :B
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I think the only reason that people are wary of first and second person is because when they go wrong, they go wrong SPECTACULARLY. And hilariously. "It was a dark and stormy night. Dark and stormy LIKE MY SOUL!!" You know, that whole thing.
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