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Question about the third person point of view and the thoughts of the protagonist

12 Years Ago


I've got a story written in third person and am experiencing a conundrum about presenting the protagonist's thoughts. Should I put her personal thought into italics and use "I?" These examples are two ways to write one passage:


THIS?
What should she do? She should go to the doctor. Tomorrow? Crouching on the bathroom floor she decides it can't wait for tomorrow. She clumsily dials Elaine, gets her answering machine. 

OR THIS?
What should I do? I should go to the doctor.Tomorrow? Crouching on the bathroom floor she decides it can't wait for tomorrow. She clumsily dials Elaine, gets her answering machine.

The story is Unlocking Bonnie, Chapter 1: Bonnie and the giant rodent. These examples are taken from the very last paragraph.   

Re: Question about the third person point of view and the thoughts of the protagonist

12 Years Ago


I think using the firm person pronoun will make it flow with your writing....third person person pronoun made it clumsy and dubious.i guess

Re: Question about the third person point of view and the thoughts of the protagonist

12 Years Ago


Thanks for your opinion. The general consensus seems to be leaning towards the italics version. I'm still undecided, but that is probably because I am emotionally attached to the first version, not because it is actually superior.