Here are the main differences between the author, narrator, and characters in a story:

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• Author: Writes the story

• Narrator: Tells the story

• Character: Lives the story

 

   If an author writes a first-person account of their life and experiences, they would essentially be the narrator. This is often seen in biographies, memoirs, and other personal narratives.

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   Fictional writing rarely sees the author as the narrator. The narrator in fictitious works is almost character-like in that they’re a fictional construct crafted by the writer. 

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   The narrator’s sole purpose is to tell the story as it unfolds, viewing events and actions from an outside perspective. The narrator also peers into the minds of characters and “knows” their perceptions, thoughts, and feelings.​​​​