using second person

i just had some inspiration to start a new one-shot, based on another Aurelio Voltaire song. i'm also considering writing it in the second person narrative

what are your thoughts and experiences on writing/reading in this style?

Comments

[Moosetasm]

I used to be 100% against 2nd person, but it’s grown on me in certain story types. I find that 2nd person lends itself best to stories where there is going to be a guaranteed disconnect between the reader and the POV. A lot of 2nd person is explaining what the reader is experiencing, as well as how it makes them feel. This is only necessay imo if the chracter is guaranteed to have different emotional reactions than a reader.

Which is why I think it works best in trollfics, since you can do fun things like explain to a person the insane logic that they used to think that doing something clearly bad and stupid (like say, using a toaster in the bathtub) is a good idea (you waste time and effort going to the kitchen for toast? You pleb.)

Now if this is the Voltaire I’m thinking of (When you’re evil; Death, Death, Devil, Devil, Devil, Devil, Devil, Devil, Evil, Evil, Evil, Evil songs) then you are probably in prime trollfics country.

Or riding on a black unicorn down the side of an erupting volcano drinking from a chalice filled with the laughter of small children.

[EpicMuttonChops]

4970657
Ooh that would be a fun one. Nope, this song is In Disguise. I thought maybe with the second person, I could avoid describing the MC's physical characteristics, and try to encapsulate the reader with the emotional journey

[Moosetasm]

4970958
If the aim is to encapsulate the reader, then 2nd person is the way to go. In my experience though, the main character still can be described, but doesn’t have to be. Just remember to go description heavy on what they experience so they get drawn more into it.

[EpicMuttonChops]

4970976
Oh yeah, for sure. No unnecessary descriptions I meant lol