Need help writing thoughts

[reader8363 1,281]

I know how to do voice, screaming, saying, mumbling, yelling, but the don't know how to do thoughts in 1st person. So could someone help me with it

[Ribbonfree 2,383]

Thoughts are usually more scattered than how we speak, which is what writers call the stream of consciousness. Depending on the character this can come out in a variety of ways to taste, like for example long monologues filled with tangents or short and snappy sentences. Really, writing thoughts is as diverse as writing anything else and purely depends on what you as the author are trying to accomplish.

[Standard User 2,127]

 

 

-snip-

 

 

Well, first off, that right there. 

 

The problem I've noticed with newer writers doing thoughts, especially in first person, is that they tend to use it as an expository dumping ground. Consider this: a character finds their friend's house burning to the ground, with their friend trapped inside. You as the author know that it was arson, but that fact isn't revealed yet. Your character bravely jumps into the building to rescue aforementioned friend. They're (most likely) not going to be thinking to themselves, I wonder if this was arson? Things aren't adding up and this person said this and I bet that they had something to do with this? They're going to be thinking holy crap what am I doing ow fire hurts.

 

Basically, don't use thought to shoehorn plot. Dialogue is better for that.

 

 

ALSO just realized that I really haven't helped answer your question...best bet is to look at big-shot fics and published fiction and see how those authors write first person thought.