Meet the Narrator

The narrator is one of the least utilized storytelling tools. A strong, unique narrator can add another layer of depth to your story. Let's talk about types of narrators and how to craft yours.

First-Person Narrator
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In a first-person story, which uses the pronouns I and me, the narrator is the POV character. ​Click here to learn more about points of view.

The protagonist (aka the POV character) tells the story directly to the reader and is the only layer between the story and the author.

The story is colored only by the protagonist's perspective and emotions.

Third-Person Narrator
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A third-person story is an entirely different beast. This type of story uses the pronouns she, he, her, him, and they. In a third-person story, you have several layers:
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• the author
• the narrator
• the POV character(s)

These entities are separate and can have separate views of the story. They may or may not align with one another.

For our purposes, let's assume that the author's views of the story are always unique from the other entities.

That leaves the narrator and the POV character(s). The POV character is the character from whose perspective the story is told. There may be one or multiple POV characters.

​It's important to understand that the narrator can perceive the story in a way that is unique from the POV character. For example, in Emma by Jane Austen, the narrator seems to have a disdain for the protagonist, Emma. The narrator tells the story in a way that displays animosity toward Emma.

​This unique perception adds another layer to the way in which the reader experiences the story. It adds depth to the plot and character development by incorporating a separate perspective and coloring the events of the story.

Narrator as Character
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For this reason, it's often helpful to approach narrator development in much the same way as character development. Get to know your narrator and understand how their personality and opinions influence their telling of the story. Even if your narrator remains unnamed, this information will help you maintain the consistency of your story's presentation.

Unreliable Narrator
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In some cases, we may be writing unreliable narrators—narrators whose perspective of the events are, for whatever reason, not entirely sound. Perhaps the narrator is lying, or maybe they're not of sound mind. Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl is a good example.

It's easiest to write unreliable narrators in first person. Yes, it can be done in third person, but it would require you to name the narrator.

Writing unreliable narrators is a balancing act. If you keep the reader completely in the dark, they may feel duped or like they've wasted their time when the twist comes. However, if you give too much away, the reader may realize early that the narrator is lying or untrustworthy and become bored.

Unreliable narrators can be extremely interesting, and I believe that all writers should practice using them, even if only in short stories. Writing unreliable narrators forces us to consider details we might otherwise neglect.

Remember Your Narrator
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In conclusion, my dear writerly friends, don't forget your narrator. When writing in third person, it can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling like we, as the author, are the one telling the story. But identifying, clarifying, and utilizing the narrator's perspective can add more depth to our stories, and readers are bound to take notice.

​Happy writing!

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Writing July 31, 2014

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Writing July 31, 2014

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