Why second person?

[Thomas Drablézien]

All too often I stumble upon a story written in the second person .... you say this; you think or feel that...

For me that is an immediate turn off. Ok, so I can just move on to elsewhere and that is just what I do. But why do certain authors insist on using this style?

 

[sr71plt]

I have read very few stories here that actually were in second person--the perspective being maintained in the head of the "you." Most of them are first person using an awkward "you" projection, but actually being told in the first person "I." Yes, this is an awkward construction most of the time, though--as is second person, which only can be sustained in something quite short unless the writer has a lot of skill and has readers with a lot of patience.

But writers here are writing for their own enjoyment--for free--and often are experimenting with new techniques and perspectives. If you are reading something you're not enjoying, just go read something else.

 

[oggbashan]

Second person is possibly the most difficult point of view to write successfully.

Although an author can try it as an experiment, it is easier to use 1st or 3rd person.

As said above, if you don't like it, choose another story to read.

 

[TxRad]

Why second person?

Because they are there. Uh... Because you are there.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I have read very few stories here that actually were in second person--the perspective being maintained in the head of the "you." Most of them are first person using an awkward "you" projection, but actually being told in the first person "I." Yes, this is an awkward construction most of the time, though--as is second person, which only can be sustained in something quite short unless the writer has a lot of skill and has readers with a lot of patience.

But writers here are writing for their own enjoyment--for free--and often are experimenting with new techniques and perspectives. If you are reading something you're not enjoying, just go read something else.

I agree with your classifications and description of the mechanics involved. As for the why of it, I think many of these stories start out as either role plays or stories intended for a particular person. Someone convinces the authors that they're good and what they have written should be posted, and so they run with it. That's some of them. Others have read stories like that, liked them, and emulated that style.

 

[battleaxe_babe]

Second person stories are a main turn off for me as well, but I reckon even first person stories are for many people.
I like to step into the story discreetly, through a not-so-well described character, if and when I like, not be dragged in by an imposing You.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Second person (either pure or as part of a mixed 1st/2nd person thing like SR describes) is generally a bad idea. The author almost certainly can't guess my choices or thoughts, and asserting them will annoy me.

One big exception to this is interactive fiction ("choose-your-own-adventure" type stuff) where second-person is the norm, BECAUSE the reader gets to make choices.

I've seen a couple of books written in second person because they were trying to evoke the spirit of an interactive computer game; it was an interesting experiment with more justification than most second-person stories, and I got used to it quickly enough, but it didn't add to my enjoyment.

 

[GinaeEvans]

I'm in the midst of writing a second person fanfic on another site. Simply because I had never done so and I wanted to see if I could pull it off. It's really not easy to do.

It seems to be popular so far, but I have to admit that the perspective is getting a tad irritating to work with. I can see why it's a little unpopular.

 

[Stella_Omega]

There are a lot of second-person stories which actually turn out to be first-person narrations-- where the narrator turns out to be telling "you" what they did to you. A misconception, but at times it's a really lovely effect.

There is a very popular web comic-- like more popular than the Beatles right now-- which is written in second person because it's a parody of the choose-your-own-adventure stuff.

It has spawned some incredible fanwork, and a burgeoning group of writers who are discovering that it's not, actually, so difficult to write in second person at all.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Second person is possibly the most difficult point of view to write successfully.

Although an author can try it as an experiment, it is easier to use 1st or 3rd person.

As said above, if you don't like it, choose another story to read.

You said a mouthful, but you knew that when you posted, didnt you! Its how you are.

 

[jomar]

There are a lot of second-person stories which actually turn out to be first-person narrations-- where the narrator turns out to be telling "you" what they did to you. A misconception, but at times it's a really lovely effect.

...

More annoying than not, but can be touching if written to an immediate sexual partner. But not often.

 

[glynndah]

I wrote a fairly successful one, but I wasn't really trying to write it in second person. It just worked out that way.

 

[PennLady]

All too often I stumble upon a story written in the second person .... you say this; you think or feel that...

For me that is an immediate turn off. Ok, so I can just move on to elsewhere and that is just what I do. But why do certain authors insist on using this style?

I don't like 2nd person, or those 1st person with "you" stories either. However, asking why anyone uses the style is like asking why anyone uses first or third person. The answer is, they wanted to. Hopefully they gave it a little thought and decided that they felt 2nd person was the best way to write the story. But even if the answer is just that they wanted to, it's as valid a choice as anything else.

 

[Noor]

Yep, I hate being told what I think or feel. I may like to imagine myself in a sorry but I prefer it to be told more like watching a play on stage unfolding before me.

It's an immediately turn off in cyber and phone sex too, unless someone is telling me their fantasy.

 

[imalickin]

Unless you're writing a technical manual, which nobody ever reads, stick to first and third person.

 

[lovecraft68]

2nd person freaks me a little. I almost feel as if I'm being hypnotized or the writer is really in my head.

I write all my stuff her in first and much of my published stuff as well. I noticed last year when I wrote my novel in 3rd person I had a hard time shifting over to it.

I wouldn't even attempt 2nd

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yep, I hate being told what I think or feel. I may like to imagine myself in a sorry but I prefer it to be told more like watching a play on stage unfolding before me.

It's an immediately turn off in cyber and phone sex too, unless someone is telling me their fantasy.

You aren't being told what YOU think or feel-- you are being told what you would think or feel if you were that character.

I find that, when I write within that particular fandom, I get decent comments. If I write an original character in the same way-- not much with the kudos. Same readers. Seems like they are able to delineate between known and beloved characters and themselves -- even in second person-- but its hard not to read oneself into a character that hasn't already developed a known persona. Or something like that.

 

[PennLady]

You aren't being told what YOU think or feel-- you are being told what you would think or feel if you were that character.

I have to agree with Noor -- the main reason I don't like second person, whether it's just "you" or the "I see you" -- is that I don't want to be told how I'm feeling or what I want. Perhaps in the stories I read the "you" isn't developed enough, but I'd say from my experience those authors aren't actually trying to develop a characters. Many are trying to leave it vague and open so that the reader can/will see themselves as the "you."

For some this will work and that's fine. But not for me.

 

[Ironiclaconic]

Now I have an idea for a second person story, where the author is essentially arguing with the reader.

You seize her in your firm hands and bend her over your knee to spank her.

(I would rather cuddle.)

No, you wouldn't. You are a scowling wealthy enigma with piercing eyes and an overwhelming need to possess nubile innocents such as the one spread-eagled before you. Scowling, wealthy enigmas don't cuddle.

(Maybe they just want to be loved.)

....

Yeah, I doubt I could sustain it longer than a few paragraphs.

 

[sr71plt]

Now I have an idea for a second person story, where the author is essentially arguing with the reader.

You seize her in your firm hands and bend her over your knee to spank her.

(I would rather cuddle.)

No, you wouldn't. You are a scowling wealthy enigma with piercing eyes and an overwhelming need to possess nubile innocents such as the one spread-eagled before you. Scowling, wealthy enigmas don't cuddle.

(Maybe they just want to be loved.)

....

Yeah, I doubt I could sustain it longer than a few paragraphs.

Can't sustain it even that long. It's not second person. As soon as you throw someone in it who's operating from the "I" perspective, you have busted out of second person.

The narrator using the "you" perspective in your example isn't really in the mind of the "you" being referred to--because that narrator's "you" is disagreeing with that narrator.

For second person, you have to be inside the perspective of the "you" and respond from within that perspective.

Yes, it's very hard to do.

 

[glynndah]

Now I have an idea for a second person story, where the author is essentially arguing with the reader.

You seize her in your firm hands and bend her over your knee to spank her.

(I would rather cuddle.)

No, you wouldn't. You are a scowling wealthy enigma with piercing eyes and an overwhelming need to possess nubile innocents such as the one spread-eagled before you. Scowling, wealthy enigmas don't cuddle.

(Maybe they just want to be loved.)

....

Yeah, I doubt I could sustain it longer than a few paragraphs.

I like this idea!

 

[Thomas Drablézien]

Well well well

I didn't think that my "Grumpy Old Man fuelled by a touch too much wine" comment would spawn such a long thread. The subject obviously touched a nerve with a few people.

 

[Saxon_Hart]

It seems funny to me that second person works so well for music or poetry but is so damn hard to read or pull of as a writer.

 

[GinaeEvans]

I didn't think that my "Grumpy Old Man fuelled by a touch too much wine" comment would spawn such a long thread. The subject obviously touched a nerve with a few people.

Not a nerve. It was just a simple, honest question. Those usually get the best conversation.