Young fiction writers often rely on the first person to establish voice, express character, and give the reader a feeling of intimacy with the narrative. But the third person can do all these things, and more. This talk will be a primer on the use of the third person, with advice on using the third limited and changing point of view, and establishing the relationships between the character and narrator and the narrator and author. Examples from familiar literature will be provided.
Robert Lennon is the author of two story collections, Pieces For The Left Hand and See You in Paradise, and eight novels, including Mailman, Familiar, and Broken River. He lives in Ithaca, New York.