Introduction to self-narration
Self-narration is a trap many writers fall into when writing in first-person voice, whether fiction or memoir. It can happen in third-person as well, but is more common, or at least jumps out more, when in first-person.
At its core, self-narration happens when the character/narrator becomes “self-aware” of her role as narrator of her story.
Self-narration by a self-aware narrator can feel like the character is talking to the reader, breaking that fourth wall.
The phrase ‘breaking the fourth wall’ comes from the theater stage.
When you sit in the audience to watch a play and the curtain rises, you see the living room set where the play will take place. There is a back wall and two side walls to the living room. There is no front wall, obviously, or the audience wouldn’t be able to see the play.
But the characters, the actors on stage, act as if there is a fourth wall. It’s part of the illusion, part of that ‘suspension of disbelief.’
The audience knows this is a play, it’s fiction (or a dramatic depiction of true events), but it’s not real.
If someone is murdered on stage, the audience knows rationally that no one just died, that it’s all an act. But if they are immersed in the play, they have suspended their disbelief — they feel as if that person just got killed.
But what happens if an actor on stage faces the front and starts talking directly to audience members?
It shatters the illusion. It reminds the audience that they’re just sitting in a theater, watching actors performs their roles.
It breaks the invisible fourth wall.
Sometimes that’s done intentionally, usually for comedic effect. But if you’re writing a novel, you don’t want to do that (unless, like on the stage, you’re doing it for comedic effect).
When the first-person narration of a story feels like the character is talking to the reader, explaining things, it breaks that fourth wall. That is self-narration.
What are some clues that your character might have become self-aware of her role as the narrator?
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