Thread: Problem of Perspective(s)

One of my latest novel-length stories is written mainly from a first person perspective. Now, I have heard many times to never mix first and thrid perspectives, but I feel it necessary in certain parts of the story. You see, my main character, Dillon, is retelling his story from his point of view, while smaller sections (such as scenes dealing with the antagonist and secondary characters) are presented in the third person. I plan to address this via an introduction from Dillon at the start of the book in which he explains this information was relayed to him later by a third party. I do my best to keep the perspectives unique from another in both style and feel, but I worry this may be a hurdle should I attempt to publish. Any advice? Is this acceptable, or should I rewrite these scenes? I'd hate to completely remove them, as some of the information is vital to the plot.

I would take with a bucketful of salt the advice of 'never do this' when it comes to writing. The person who says you can't do something is usually interrupted by the person who's done it. In this case, I can think of several novels that utilise a first- and third-person mix. It's not wrong by any stretch of the imagination. The latest novel I can recall using it was Jeffrey Deaver's The Broken Window.

Go for it, and don't be put off by anyone.

Thanks for that. I just worried about how potential publisher's might take it, but then again: I suppose if it works, then why not use it?

Just make sure the transition between the two/three povs is clear.