The child is the protagonist (central character with a goal)
The adult is the antagonist (character in conflict with protagonist)
1st person = This is my, the narrator's, story
3rd person limited omniscient = This is the story of a child
and we only see the thoughts of the child and his or her environment. Because
this is limited omniscient and not totally omniscient, we can see everything
except the thoughts of other characters ... only the the thoughts of the
protagonist.
Sometimes the narrator makes comments and judgments in the story. This is
called narrative intrusion and should generally be avoided because it
often sounds like the writer is preaching. This makes it difficult for the
reader to suspend disbelief. The reader's willing suspension of disbelief is necessary for your story to come to life ... the words should become
invisible and spark the reader's imagination. This is called activating the mental cinema.
When using details in your story, try to decide how much detail is needed to
create the atmosphere you'd like your reader to imagine. Think of each
detail as a spark that will trigger the reader's imagination. To give your
reader a well-rounded reading experience, use details that speak to all the
senses -- not just the eyes. Be careful not to give too much detail; this often
slows the story and tempts the reader to skip ahead. Blend small details with
the action of the story. For faster action, use concise, charged or suggestive
details. Remember that action isn't always aggressive physical movements. A
tear or a twinkle of an eye in the right place is often more powerful than an
army charging into battle. A carefully chosen word or phrase can have more
impact than an entire book.
There are no word limitations for your story.
When reading and making comments on each other's work, consider which details
left the strongest impressions and which detail could be omitted without
effecting the story. What was your favorite line in the story? Was there a line
you had trouble understanding?
If you would like specific comments, include questions at the top or
bottom of your story: