One of the benefits of writing in the first person is that it creates a connection between the reader and the protagonist. The reader takes in the character’s experiences from a more “real” perspective and hence they are able to grasp their meaning and feel their emotional impact.

The second benefit is that the main character explains their side of the story. In different circumstances where the story is told in another form, the actions of the character may seem unfair or selfish. When the story is told in the first person, the protagonist is able to explain themselves and the reason for their actions. This way, their actions are more understandable and feel more legitimate.

When reading a story told in the first person, the content is more believable as it appears as a first-hand account and not just someone creating and narrating a story. Since it is more personal, it also helps build the connection between the narrator and the reader.

The writer also does not have to keep shifting between different dialogues and styles. They can stick to one particular form of narration which makes it easier to write the story. As the story is told by one person, the reader becomes more familiar with the protagonist, which helps in establishing a firm bond. The character’s traits are also better developed since they are the center of the story.

However, there are obvious cons to writing in the first person. The most definite one is the scarcity in options that can be exploited by the author when it comes to telling the story. There is no freedom in analyzing events from different angles and allowing other characters to tell their side of the story.

If the opinion or interpretations of the person narrating the story are clearly false, the book could turn out to be a complete flop. When the reader realizes that they are being manipulated, they will start to mistrust the story and end up discarding the whole of it.

Creating a well balanced narrator who is emotionally submerged into the story but not too much as to make the story overly emotional can be hard to pull off. Most first person narratives have the flaw of creating a character who is too involved with the story or too removed from what is happening. Striking a balance can be difficult and it takes practice to learn how to merge both aspects.

When writing in the first person, as the author, you do not have the liberty to describe the protagonist, who in many cases, is the one telling the story. Developing ways in which their character and features show without seeming too direct can be tricky. The person’s character needs to be revealed naturally as the story develops. Rushing the process and having the character directly describe themselves can make the story feel forced.

The first person narration style most definitely has its benefits but there are disadvantages to be considered too.