Author: | Nola | Published: | almost 7 years ago |
---|---|---|---|
Tags: | POV, second-person, point of view, narrator | Category: | Writing tips |
In second-person point of view, the author uses words like ‘you’ and ‘your’ to make readers feel they’re part of the action (see Paragraph B in Part 1 of this series).
This is different from instances in classic literature where authors occasionally address the reader in order to provide commentary (Ginny Wiehardt). For example, Jane Eyre blurts out, ‘Reader, I married him’. Nor is second-person POV the same as simply addressing your reader in a blog post or nonfiction book (e.g. ‘You should try this wombat salad’).
In second-person POV, ‘the author is inviting you to step into the shoes of [a] fictional character and imagine that you are him or her’ (Harvey Chapman). As Ginny Wiehardt notes, readers can immerse themselves in the story and experience what the character is going through. Consider the opening sentences from Caroline Kepnes’ bestselling novel You:
In that example, both the narrator (Joe) and the girl (Guinevere/you) are characters in the story. The second-person perspective isn’t just a different method of talking about the protagonist, but an interplay between the characters.
If you imagine you’re one of the characters, it might make the story more real for you, but it can also backfire. When I read those opening lines, I immediately thought, ‘Eww, creepy guy. I don’t want to be the you he’s looking at’. The back cover blurb and some of the Goodreads reviews confirm that it’s probably not my cup of tea—‘an insane, obsessive and manipulative romance from the perspective of a charming psychopath’. But another reviewer said that it ‘really made me take a closer look at how much of myself I leave on the internet and how easy it would be for someone like Joe to worm his way into my life’. In that case, the second-person POV put the reader squarely into the story and helped her empathise with the girl.
James Scott Bell doesn’t even discuss second-person POV in his book Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, but instead warns writers ‘not to try it at home, or anywhere else for that matter’.
I would add a rider to that advice. Don’t use it if you’re just trying to be clever or gimmicky. Do use it if you have a compelling reason (e.g. if second-person POV would add something to your story or help the reader experience your story in a more profound way). Even then, maybe try it out in a short story first, as it’s very difficult to pull it off in a full-length novel.
Short stories written in second-person include Dennis Lehane’s Until Gwen, which you can read here; and Tim Winton’s Long, Clear View from his short-story collection The Turning.
Novels written in second-person include Half Asleep in Frog Pyjamas by Tom Robbins and Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney. If you look up those titles on Amazon and click on the cover image, you can read an extract. For a list of other titles, click here.
Have you ever written a story in second-person POV? Is it something you’d like to try? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your comments.
Comments read 12 comments
Thanks for an interesting post, Nola. I was about to add Gilead by Marilynne Robinson ( it is a letter from an aging minister to his young son - yes, the whole novel, I think). But have remembered that the minister often lapses into the first person with comments like 'I've wandered from the point again because I saw your mother . . .'. So I guess it is a mix but intentionally second person. I didn't find it gimmicky or difficult but I don't expect ever to try writing it at any length.
Thanks for that, Jeanette. I haven't read Gilead, but have heard good things about it, so will have to have a look. When it's done well, second-person can be very effective, but it's not easy. Researching material for this post has made me think that I might like to experiment with it for a short story (maybe even flash fiction), but I think I'd find it too torturous to attempt a whole novel. I'll leave that to better writers than me (or crazier writers than me!). Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Nola - I tend to agree that it's hard to pull of well. Using letters - as in Gilead - would give it a context.
But this has tweaked my memory as I think I wrote a flash fiction (750 words) in second person - a series of short messages or letters from the protag to the love interest.
The Oldest Song in the World by Sue Woolfe is also technically in second person - she starts by addressing the young man she was romantically interested in and the novel is basically her telling the story of what happened to him (probably in her head) though 'you' is used only in a few sections, so it doesn't become too intense.
Thanks for that Jenny. Yes it's hard to think of novels that use it all the way through, as they're pretty rare. I had to google them. But I like that last website I link to in my post, as it also gives some short stories. I picked up a couple of those anthologies at the library to have a read. Have already read 'Glimmer' by Ian Rankin -
the 'you' is a journalist who's trying to write a feature article on the Rolling Stones in the late sixties, but ends up in his own downward spiral. Not exactly 'happy' stuff, but it was interesting to see how Rankin went about it.
Have you sent that flash fiction anywhere? Maybe I'll try it if another flash fiction comp comes up. Thanks for commenting :)
I think I agree with James Scott Bell. I prefer to avoid it. I remember having to try it in a writing class, but it doesn't sit well. For me reading it doesn't connect me with the story either.
Thanks for that Raelene. I guess that's why it's one of the rarer forms. One of the other bloggers I cited also mentioned that it's not popular with publishers either. I think there has to be a good reason for using it. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Nola,
The flash was originally for a call-out for Mixed Blessings - but maybe I should see if it would fit another home.
Sounds like a good idea, Jenny. Maybe search for other flash fiction avenues and see if it fits any or could be tweaked to fit any. Some of the stories I've had accepted in the last couple of years took three or four tries to find a home.
Not sure I like this second person POV. I have a hard time reading first person.
It's interesting to know some authors have chosen to use this style and made it work. Thanks Nola
Thanks Kirsten. It does put an interesting spin on things, but I think there has to be a good reason for using it. Do you know of any fantasy novels that have used it? I like first-person if it's an interesting voice, but second-person doesn't come as naturally. Maybe we should try it out on some flash fiction. Thanks for commenting :)
Hi Nola, I wrote a short story in second person as an asssignment when doing my Masters at Tabor a few years ago. From memory I think Rosanne Hawke gave me a distinction, but it was really hard to get it right. The following year I decided to change my thesis novel from third to first person. It took me nearly a year - and about 15 drafts - of hard work to get it right.
Hi Trevor - Thanks for that. Did you submit your story anywhere? If you were able to pull it off, you'd probably have a good chance of getting it published because it's rarer. I haven't tried second-person for a full story yet; only for writing exercises. But I think I'll give it a go, at least for a flash fiction piece.
And good on you for having the courage to change your POV in your novel. I can imagine it would have changed a number of things, but would have been worth it to get the voice right. Thanks for your comment :)
Comments for this post have closed.