Tips for writing in third person?

Question

I already posted this, but i don't think it worked so i'm redoing it.

Okay, so I'm into writing, but every story that i write is always in first person so i thought i would change it up a little and write in third person.

Would anyone mind giving me some tips so the story isn't like

She did blah blah blah. Then after that she did whatever. Next, she walked over here and she opened the door and she.

(do you kind of know what i mean?)

Any help would be appreciated thanks!

Answer 1

Read.

I am not kidding. Read books that have the third person viewpoint. You will learn their styles and ways of expressing things. So go to the library or a bookstore.

Answer 2

Describe the emotions the character is feeling. remember show don't tell e.g instead of "she felt scared" (telling the reader) try "she had lines of worry and anxiety spreading across her face" or something like that. just better. and remember a lot of descriptions i.e. what the character is experiencing or seeing

Answer 3

There's 2 types of 3rd person- limited and omniscient.

Limited is a great alternative to first person- you see purely through the eyes of only one character but you don't have to write 'I' all the time:

1st person: I opened the door and gave Dave his beer. I don't like beer.

3rd person limited: Jane opened the door and gave Dave his beer. She didn't like beer but Dave loved it

You get to appreciate the character more because you're in their head as opposed to in their shoes.

3rd person omniscient means you know everything about everyone. You can give anyone's point of view and describe events happening behind the protagonist's back:

3rd person ominiscient: Jane opened the door. Dave smiled- she had brought his beer. Jane frowned and handed it to him- she hated beer.