Elle asked Rafi Mittlefehldt:

How did you decide the style to write the book in? I normally don't like reading first person because of the way it's handled, and how sometimes the emotions expressed feel forced, but It Looks Like This uses first person so perfectly. Thank you!

Rafi Mittlefehldt Ohh, sorry, I missed this! I chose first person because it's a much more personal and internal way to tell a story, which was a good fit for ILLT. This book in particular was at its heart about how a teen - who already has a hard time expressing things even to himself - learns to speak and act for himself. Though that could've been interesting to see in third person, because it would've been easier to withhold information and feelings from the reader, I think it would've just come across as too detached.

Side note - you'll find that books about teens tend to be first person, in large part because people at that age are starting to look inward for the first time in a more meaningful way.

My next book (WHAT MAKES US) shifts the POV between two characters, and it adjusts to their personalities. One is first person, because he is frankly pretty self-involved, and the other is third person, because she's much more observant and empathetic. Plus it's fun to play with shifting perspectives.

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