[stylist] Point of view

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

I often use third person, and even second person, when writing about
issues and topics that are difficult. It helps me find distance to look
beyond my immediate emotions. Sometimes I switch it back to first
person, but other times I leave it. Or I begin in second or third, but
switch to first at some point. At the very least it makes for a good
writing exercise.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 10:52:13 -0700
From: "Jacqueline Williams" <jackieleepoet at cox.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Remembering dreams
Message-ID: <DEA8CCDD58564EB88CA5E812B42D0AE3 at JackiLeePoet>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Jim,
I appreciate your comments. For the writing to be healing for me, I used
two strategies. A journal was too personal. That is when I decided to
learn the craft of poetry-to put something between myself and the
events. It required me to concentrate on something additionally, besides
myself. Then as I wrote, very badly at first, I used third person,
referring to myself as "she." That gave even more distance and
objectivity. Finally, after 16 years, I can write a first person account
of things, use prose, and instead of journaling, I use a "commonplace"
folder where I enter all wonderful thoughts, either my own or others
that I come across. It is like planting seeds. For yourself, a journal
in any format my provide just what is needed to heal. I seemed to have
to intellectualize everything. 
I admire your strategies to heal. And so you will.
Jacqueline Williams