Students - Sometimes when we read, we assume that the author of a story or poem is writing about themselves, even if they have not said that this is true. The truth is, oftentimes, authors write in the first person 'I' voice when a piece is not about themselves. Rather, they PRETEND that they are someone else and IMAGINE a whole new world that they have never experienced. They write in the 'I' voice even though they never physically experienced what they are writing. For example, I could write a piece about my memories as a cloud (I looked down at tiny trucks and trains) even though I am not actually a cloud.
Similarly, authors can write in the third person 'she/he/they/it' voice even if a piece IS about their own life. Authors can take a step back and imagine themselves at a bit of a distance, watching an experience they truly had, shaping it for a character perhaps just like themselves, perhaps somewhat different. Sometimes characters are really the author, sometimes not the author at all, and sometimes a mix of the author and imagination.
Today's poem is true, it is about something that happened to me two days ago, and it is also in the third person 'he/she/they/it' voice. I wrote it this way because I wanted it to feel a little bit more like a story and as I wrote, I did imagine the character much like me but much older and grayer somehow.
You might wish to try this. Remember something that happened to you, and write about it in the third person 'he/she/they/it' voice. This will help you take a step back. You may choose to keep your memory as it really happened, or who knows? Perhaps you will change it a little. Perhaps you will change it a lot. Perhaps you will end up writing about a completely different thing than you started with. You are the author...so you make all of those important decisions.
Playing with point of view can give our poems and our stories new flavors and can bring new ideas into our minds.
Ruth is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup over at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken Town with some thoughtful words and an original poem around the phrase My world, your world, our world. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
Remember...difficult things will always happen in life, even when we work hard. It is good to take that time to sigh, but we can always start again. I wish you new beginnings.
xo,
Amy
I like this idea of using the third person to tell a poem more story like.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to play with perspective in this way! My students are playing with different voices in their writing and having such fun. Thanks for your willingness to cheer them on!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this poem in third person and your thoughts about perspective. This is something I will play with going forward. Thanks for that nudge! PS There's something so satisfying about stacking wood, isn't there!?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy! Your posts are always so inspiring. Your poem makes me think that the chore of stacking the wood was so pleasurable in bringing up memories that the need to restack was not a problem. Appreciating the process can be applied to so many things.
ReplyDeleteAlternative title: "Playing Jenga with Herself" 🌞 The question of who is speaking vs. who is writing is so tricky for readers (and writers) of all ages. Myself, I struggle to find any voice that isn't my own, and then I judge myself for writing in my own voice again and again. Your lessons here are a beauty to behold.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an encouraging coach and mentor, Amy. It's always such a pleasure to stop by here.
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