Dear Sue…
Sure, you can write thoughts in third person for a third person teen/tween narrative. It would look like this: “He leaned in but she turned away. No way would she kiss him. She’d rather eat a worm.” But you can also pop out of third person to first, if you’re so inclined, using italics to signal the shift to kids: “He leaned in but she turned away. In your dreams. I’d rather eat a worm than kiss that snout.” Some find that a more dynamic mix. It depends on you and on your story. Gotta love choice.
Happy writing!
The Editor
Thanks for such a clear, concise illustration of this point. POV is one of the hardest elements to master.
Great post.
I love your examples! Everything makes so much more sense with examples.
My editor says NO. Thoughts should be in the present tense and first person. I must agree -I had to edit my thought sentences. They were more powerful as a result.