Inner thoughts of a character through third person limited

[rikaaim]

I'm writing a third person narrative style story. It's the kind that I'm most comfortable with. However, the story desperately revolves around the inner workings and thoughts of the main character. I know a limited third person has the ability and right to enter into that character's mind, but I don't want to. I want to try and convey all the thoughts and emotions of the character stricly through their actions. I was thinking of having the character keep a journal of sorts, or computer blog, that the narrator views and can then relay in the narrative. Does this seem like a viable solution to my delema? AND What suggestions can one advise? Sadly I won't be able to stick around to respond today. I must dash off to class, then work. I'm in the middle of a 13 straight day work stint, and Kafka is calling my name. I would appreciate and advice or thoughts into the matter though. I'll be able to check in tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

 

[Purple Sage]

The diary/blog device is fine, I think, but the question then arises of integrating it into the narrative. I've seen this done through excerpting the diary as a chapter heading, or, in formats such as graphic novels, inserting excerpts as sidebars.
Another approach is what you might call 'cinematic': think of the story, or at least the significant scenes, as a movie. Picture in detail how your actor will express the 'hidden' or internal aspects of the script and then describe what the camera sees with enough precision that the reader is let into the protagonists mind. This does NOT qualify as the easy solution.

One problem with the diary approach is that, to be naturalistic, the character has to make entries in a natural fashion- so the timing of seeing into his head isn't always what you might want it to be. Another, of course, is that the character has to be the kind of person who would write diary. And (perhaps) finally, there is the issue of the character having a voice, a style of his own. One of the difficulties many writers seem to face is of finding a voice, the diary approach requires finding two.

 

[rikaaim]

The diary/blog device is fine, I think, but the question then arises of integrating it into the narrative. I've seen this done through excerpting the diary as a chapter heading, or, in formats such as graphic novels, inserting excerpts as sidebars.
Another approach is what you might call 'cinematic': think of the story, or at least the significant scenes, as a movie. Picture in detail how your actor will express the 'hidden' or internal aspects of the script and then describe what the camera sees with enough precision that the reader is let into the protagonists mind. This does NOT qualify as the easy solution.

One problem with the diary approach is that, to be naturalistic, the character has to make entries in a natural fashion- so the timing of seeing into his head isn't always what you might want it to be. Another, of course, is that the character has to be the kind of person who would write diary. And (perhaps) finally, there is the issue of the character having a voice, a style of his own. One of the difficulties many writers seem to face is of finding a voice, the diary approach requires finding two.

Well, your suggestions don't scare me as far as their difficulty. I have been thinking of this for a while now, and this idea of mine has very much brought up the two main points that you describe. I understand that my character must have their own writing "voice". I also understand that the story would then need to take a very objective cinematic feel. I tend to write that way anyway. As I watch a movie, a well made movie, I look at the scene fades, the camera angles, and the the subtleness that makes a movie. I then mentally translate that to text and how I can write such an action. In my Lit class, which I just left, I was thinking of another question, which you seemed to have answered for me already. Can I write a third person so limited that the narrative is simply a statement, more or less, of the actions that the narrators sees? Meaning, with so much emphasis on the character's own struggles and writings, can the narrator nearly disappear to become more of a repeator of actions? I think so. I guess that's what matters. As long as I think I can do it, I can. Is it going to be easy? No. Will it be compelling, I hope so. Thanks for you insight. It was much appreciated. Anyone else have some ideas and thoughts?

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Conveying thought through action is tricky, because the same action can be the result of divergent thought processes. If you are set on this formula, I would suggest a fairly detailed example of his/her thought process as summary infor to begin the work. Give the reader a good idea of how this person thinks before you ask them to interpret the thought processes behind specific actions.

 

[BlackSnake]

I'd say be careful that you do not do to much telling instead of showing

 

[rikaaim]

I'd say be careful that you do not do to much telling instead of showing

The only telling will be what the character tells herself. The idea is that the words of the journal are more of an inner reflection of oneself. She's trying to figure out why she does what she does and why she is where she is. I started writing it last night, taking the suggestion handed to me, and so far the feel that I have is there. The set up of tension is apparent, without the true reasons why. The true reasons are kept from the reader because they are kept from the character. She knows she's unhappy, but not sure why. Just as the reader knows she is unhappy, but not really sure why. It's never stated, just shown.

 

[rikaaim]

Conveying thought through action is tricky, because the same action can be the result of divergent thought processes. If you are set on this formula, I would suggest a fairly detailed example of his/her thought process as summary infor to begin the work. Give the reader a good idea of how this person thinks before you ask them to interpret the thought processes behind specific actions.

I was thinking the same thing. Hence the blog journal. That element is going to be the only way the reader gets to "look" into the mind of the character. She spills her inner thoughts and feelings out into her journal, but the narrator never instinctually knows what she's thinking. The narrator only sees what's going on. Thus, the reader only sees, and as the narrator must do, guess what's taking place, until the characters decide to reveal their true motives.