Encounters of the Close Third Kind

First person isn't always the answer.

When writing a picture book or a novel, many writers choose first person as the surest way to bring readers close to the protagonist. But is it always the best choice? Most of us settle into one point of view early and then spend the rest of the draft managing its limitations instead of asking whether it was the right call. Close third can do things first person and regular third can't: deepen perspective, sharpen voice, and strengthen a manuscript.

Karen Boss is an acquiring editor at Charlesbridge and an enthusiast about close third person, and she teaches it in a way that's practical rather than theoretical. Session one is a craft lecture. Session two is a group conversation, designed for writers ready to geek out. If you want feedback on your own work, you can add a ten-page read with Karen.