All the time, I see writers saying they prefer 1st person because it allows you to relate to the characters. I literally laugh out loud, because, frankly, it makes it sound like you can't relate in third. It's actually quite possible.
I like to call it "Diary Style". It was inspired by a book I read called "The Shadow Thieves" by Anne Ursu - after I finished reading it, I felt close to the characters, despite the third person narrative. But why? I looked into it to find out, and diary style was born.
Basically, in Diary Style, you pretend you are the main character in that scene - then, think of it like the character is writing their diary in third person.
For example, here is the same passage written twice, the first in regular third person, the second in Diary Style.
Normal wrote:Jenny sighed as she dialed her mom's number in her cell phone. Ever since a boy ran away from home after school a few weeks earlier, she had to call her mom and stay on the line until she was home. She hated it.
Diary Style wrote:Jenny punched her mom's number into her cell phone. Ever sense a boy ran away from home after school a few weeks ago, she had to talk to her mom the entire mile walk home. It was almost as if her mom didn't trust her.
You will notice that the last sentence in the diary style example let's off a sarcastic tone which taps into Jenny's character without going into her thoughts - an occasionally awkward practice in third person.
Diary style can boost up third person writing tremendously - it can help you truly tap into the character and emotion of your characters without employing first person.
Try it!
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Now! You'll forget it if you don't!
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GO!
