Question on 3rd Person Limited

[karo.ambrose]

If you're using third person limited and you're telling a scene from Character A's perspective, can you physically describe him or her? I'm assuming the answer is 'yes' if he's looking into a mirror or looking at his hands or arms, but if they're just walking down the side of the road, you can't mention things like their eye color, right?

Here's another example: Can I say my character was "as pale as a ghost" if I'm speaking from his perspective?

And is it okay to mix omniscient with 3rd limited? Like if I started a scene with omniscient then entered into 3rd limited or if I started a scene with 3rd limited and ended with omniscient, is that okay? What are your opinions about this?

Thanks.

[alleycat]

I think you've mixing up first-person and third-person somewhat. I have a helpful little chart I can send you that shows all the "views" you can or cannot use with the various types of first, second, and third person. It's based on the chart from Damon Knight's book Creating Short Fiction. It's just a handy reference. Send me your e-mail address by PM if you'd like a copy.

As for your last question, I don't believe it works very well to mix omni and limited viewpoints in the same scene, unless you were intentionally doing it for some kind of novel effect (and I take it that's not what you mean). Switching at chapters is better, but even then it has to be done skillfully. Most of the times where I've seen it done, I've found it awkward.

[karo.ambrose]

Thanks. I'm still learning my terms.

[zornhau]

In limited third you're describing the world from the character's point of view, but as if it was objective reality.

The character can't see themselves, but they do experience their physical reactions, usually as if they came from the outside world. If all the blood drains from my face, e.g., then perhaps the room suddenly seems cold.

[cinders23]

You can have your character think about certain visual aspects of themselves. Also if you want them to notice paleness how about pale hands or a cold feeling on the face? Usually people avoid the mirror method because it's been over done. Yet again...I always see rules being broken by well known authors.

Cindy.

[alleycat]

Thanks. I'm still learning my terms.
I e-mailed the chart this morning.

I hope it helps.

ac

[Raphee]

Also go to wikipedia and look up narrative.
also look up POV ie Point of View. theres a lot of info there.

[ChaosTitan]

I'm assuming the answer is 'yes' if he's looking into a mirror or looking at his hands or arms,

Just make sure you have a very good reason for that character to be standing in front of a mirror or examining their hands. I've seen the mirror thing on several lists of "Don't Do This" cliches. Why? How often, when you are standing in front of the bedroom/bathroom mirror, do you take stock of yourself?

"Hmm, my longish, curly brown hair frizzes a bit on the ends and is need of a trim. But see how my coffee-colored eyes sparkle in the light, behind the silver rims of my glasses...."

Replace "my" with "her" and it seems downright silly.

but if they're just walking down the side of the road, you can't mention things like their eye color, right?

If she stops in front of a store window, sees a red dress she loves, and wonders if it clashes with her blue eyes, it works. But just randomly pondering her eye color? Not so much.

As zornhau said, you are reporting the world from this character's POV.

Also, if it isn't terribly important to know the character's physical characteristics, don't knock yourself out trying to work them into the narrative.

[Jamesaritchie]

Here's another example: Can I say my character was "as pale as a ghost" if I'm speaking from his perspective?



Thanks.

No, you can't do this. Not unless your character can see himself. But the question is why would you want to do this? You certainly shouldn't want to use a cliche such as "pale as a ghost," even if it were allowed.