My writing tip for the day

[ksmith]

In the case of my tight 3rd person POV, the narrative isn't impersonal. It reflects the personality and attitudes of the POV character as much as their words and actions because you're seeing the world through their eyes, their filter.

Why would I write impartial/impersonal narration with tight third person? It would be a waste of space.

Did two miles tonight. Must shower now. Day job tomorrow. Go me.

Comments

[madwriter.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, I was thinking something along these lines today when I realized that I'd written the POV character in my new novel in 3rd person rather than my intended 1st person. It only took me a moment to realize, though, that I'd reflexivelly wanted to put a little distance between the reader and the main character, the same way he keeps a bit of distance from even his closest companions throughout most of the story.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The distance can be there, but the narrative definitely does not have to be impersonal.

[madwriter.livejournal.com]

Nope. It starts out as somewhat impersonal (the character has endured a decade worth of hardships and doesn't think things could ever possibly get better--the writing will reflect that a little bit but not so much, I hope, that the reader loses interest) but it gets more personal as the story goes on.

[cmpriest.livejournal.com]

Unrelated, but ... lest you wonder -- I accidentally double-posted over on MySpace; and I deleted the duplicate upon which you commented. Not because I don't appreciate the congrats! But because I hate seeing double ...

:-D

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

No problem.

::sniff:

My beautiful comment...