I need a PoV advice before I start writing a story · 5:14pm Aug 10th, 2022
Here's the problem: I have 2 female characters drama. The problem becomes evident whenever I use the word 'she' since it can refer to any one of them.
That means the third person is out the window. I can't use it. It can't be done neatly.
The content of the story doesn't matter, but since you all think it does, I'm posting my first draft here:
Zipp Wears a Furtight Bodysuit
Sunny enters a higher state. Knowing her powers will be active for only a few seconds, she says, “Somepony, make a wish. I can do anything I want in this state.”
She turns to Zipp, “You like Wonderbolts, right? I can make you one.”
“No, that’s quite…”
Sunny cast her magic, and Zipp finds herself wrapped in a magical Wonderbolt furtight costume.
“Aaa, get it off, get it off! It’s touching me.”
Sunny’s wings and horn dissipate. “I don’t have the magic anymore. If you don’t like it, just undress. No need to make a fuss about it.”
“How? Where’s the zipper?”
“Oh, a zipper. I knew I was forgetting something. I didn’t magic that.”
“Somepony, bring me scissors fast! I’m being violated.”
“Actually, I don’t think that’s going to work. Knowing my state was a one-time thing, I made sure to make your clothes durable.”
“How durable?”
“Indestructable…”
“Just tell me, how can I get this stupid fabric off me?”
“Now that I think about it, I don’t think you can. LIke, ever.”
“It doesn’t even fit. It’s way too small and tight. I can hardly even breathe in this. I’m itching all over!”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I really am. And even though you’re not ready to hear this, I think this is your life now. You’re a Wonderbolt for life. Yay?”
“Nay. You fix it. You fix it right now.”
“I can’t. Nopony can. I’m so sorry.” She runs away.
What I'm left with are these options for Zipp's PoV (Point of View):
a) Present tense 1st PoV
Even after Sunny's magic cocoon dissipates, I still feel the tightness all around me.
b) Past tense 1st PoV
Even after Sunny's magic cocoon dissipated, I still felt the tightness all around me.
c) Present tense 2nd PoV
Even after Sunny's magic cocoon dissipates, you still feel the tightness all around you.
d) Past tense 2nd PoV
Even after Sunny's magic cocoon dissipated, you still felt the tightness all around you.
So, which one of the options would you, as a reader, choose?
What I mostly want to know is if you'd feel weird if I addressed you, the reader, with 'you' even though the character is Zipp in 2nd PoV. Or would you all be like, "Why are you using 'you' if you're not talking about me but Zipp? You can't use 2nd person for an existing character, you moron Bad Dragon! What were you thinking‽ You need to burn your story with fire and extreme prejudice! You should have known better!"
I think options A or B would work most organically. But if you decided to go with the ‘you’ approach, I personally wouldn’t feel weirded out at all if you addressed the reader, in this case being me, with you. I think that’s what Second-Person stories are for. Readers know by this point not to feel weirded out by this sort of terminology, otherwise these kinds of stories wouldn’t exist.
But yeah, I recommend A or B, but whatever you want to use is fine. I can’t wait to read it!
5678794 Thanks for letting me know. I actually didn't know that second-person stories for existing characters exist.
I'm now leaning mostly toward c)
5678801
This looks pretty nice! So Zipp and Sunny will be a thing? Sounds an interesting break from the norm. When will this be released?
5678802 I only have 2-3 weeks to write and release this story. I'm trying to win a contest, you see?
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/216259/omegathysts-rainbow-of-contests/thread/497437/hot-pony-summer-contest
5678807
I see. Hope you win!