All About Writing in Second Person

Second-person point of view involves telling a story through the pronoun “you.” Compared to first-person (I, my) and third-person (she, he, they) point of view, second-person POV is the least used perspective. This video is my love letter to second-person stories, and I try to provide a comprehensive look into this oft-maligned POV, including:
+ Advantages and disadvantages of writing in this perspective
+ Different forms “you” can take within a story
+ Why “direct address” is often mistaken for being second-person POV
+ The complex layers of meaning that this perspective creates
+ Ample examples of effective second-person narratives
As author Kathy Fish says of second person, “It powerfully conveys a sense of both intimacy and universality. This story could be about you or me or all of us. Direct and compelling, it is the literary equivalent of making good eye contact. You are saying to the reader: Pay attention.”
You can read a text version of this video on Medium: / the-complete-guide-to-...
Love my channel? Treat me to a cup of coffee at ko-fi.com/quotidianwriter.
List of Recommended Reading for Second-Person POV: ko-fi.com/post/Recommended-Re...
My Published Stories and Poems: www.quotidianwriter.com/my-wr...
Twitter: / quotidianwriter
Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: www.behance.net/vitordupont
Post-Production Audio Editing by Dryden Meints: www.meintsproductions.com
Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept - • Fantasy Music - Vindsv...
Background Music by Vindsvept:
+ "Illuminate"
+ "Light the Bonfire"
+ "Hideaway"
+ "Through the Woods We Ran"
+ "Alone"
+ "Homeward Bound"
+ "Veiled in Light"
+ "A Place to Call Home"
+ "Chasing Shadows"
SOURCES
UNNATURAL VOICES by Brian Richardson: www.google.com/books/edition/...
Michael Bourne’s review of BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY: themillions.com/2014/09/its-2...
“Leopard” by Wells Tower (short story): www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
“What is a second-person narrative point of view?” by Louise Harnby:
www.louiseharnbyproofreader.c...
Electric Lit Interview with Jeff VanderMeer, author of The Southern Reach Trilogy:
electricliterature.com/interv...
Darlene Reilley’s Review of IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT A TRAVELER…:
darwrites.com/2017/06/27/a-st...
Reading Women Podcast Interview with Xhenet Aliu, author of BRASS:
www.readingwomenpodcast.com/b...
Porter House Review Interview with Carmen Maria Machado about IN THE DREAM HOUSE:
porterhousereview.org/article...
“As Seen on TV” by Kyra Kondis in X-R-A-Y (short story): xraylitmag.com/as-seen-on-tv-...
“Oh You!: A Taxonomy of the Second Person” by Siân Griffiths in Waxwing: waxwingmag.org/items/issue21/6...
Introduction (0:00)
Disadvantages of Second Person (1:52)
Advantages of Second Person (4:17)
Ways to Use the Pronoun “You” (7:51)
Audience Address (9:34)
Character Address (13:05)
Reader Insert (16:34)
Distant Narration (22:20)
Hypothetical (25:48)
Blending Forms (29:34)
Overview (33:24)
General Advice for Writing in Second Person (35:56)

[@ladyshrike6815]

I think second person works best when it's used in horror or comedy, in kind of a wall break to either create paranoia in the reader or involve them in the humorous story. It is not necessarily 'you' that doing anything, instead its the character/author addressing you directly.

[@AdrianArmbruster]

The Night Circus did some second person segments as scene setters between major chapters or sections. I think it worked pretty well there, as it's mostly to set tone and then the narrative continues with a more standard viewpoint.

[@lillydevil2486]

It also worked to draw the reader in I, personally, found it uber whimsical to feel like I was moving through the circus looking at all the little things. It weirdly reminds me of childhood, or what a childhood is supposed to feel like

[@theonlyredwolf]

I'm currently writing a novella in second person, so this video was really helpful!

[@aftoncrain2042]

I just finished my first draft for I book I originally wrote at 11 and I did something where it was supposed to be third person the entire time; then, at the very end, it was revealed that it was in second person. The narrator’s identity (or even that they had an identity) was the twist.

[@QuotidianWriter]

Hi there, viewers! You can read a text version of this video on Medium: quotidianwriter.medium.com/the-complete-guide-to-writing-fiction-in-second-person-6ca0af4d627f You’ll find a list of my recommended reading for second person over on my Ko-fi page: ko-fi.com/post/Recommended-Reading-for-Second-Person-Point-of-Vie-J3J794AVN Sorry for the kind of uneven audio in this one! I’m working on improving my audio setup and recording process, so the next video should sound much smoother.

[@TheStumptube]

It's a POV that works well in Choose Your Own Adventure style books

[@kmundwiller3936]

I'm shook...hypnotic, psychological.. considering my content, I think this is going to step my book up BIG.

[@leonmayne797]

My favourite example of Second Person is in the Horror Comedy podcast Welcome to Night Vale. In the episode 'A Story about You' the narrator is a radio host that somehow knows the protagonists exact movements as they make them, and whenever the protagonist comes near a radio they hear themselves being described in real time.

[@QuotidianWriter]

That's a great one! Very meta. :)

[@majindede3272]

This is exactly what I wanted to learn about second person, the do’s the don’t’s, how well it can be executed, why this form of writing is considered a bit of a taboo. To be honest, this has been one of my favorite pov’s to read and write from for most of my life now, and I’m glad to see such a well-put video about it, that educates you properly on this topic because it doesn’t matter if this form of writing is a bit risky to general audiences. Learning about it makes it that much more important, at least from my perspective. This fills in the hole or the missing piece of education I was deprived of when taking actual creative writing classes that the teacher I was assigned to, refused to take serious and skipped over completely when teaching all the perspectives creative writing covers. I loved how this video practically healed my deep disappointment from way back then now that I know I can turn to this channel when it comes to proper education on creative writing. Thank you so much for all the work that you do! 😊

[@QuotidianWriter]

What a beautiful comment! I'm so happy to hear that my video was helpful and healing. It's one of my favorite perspectives as well, and I wholeheartedly agree that it's underappreciated (hence why this video is twice as long as my other POV videos, haha). We should never limit ourselves in the forms or types of stories we tell. True creativity comes from that boundless exploration. Keep writing! :)

[@potentdream]

Your work has inspired me thanks a lot, Mrs. Dianne Callahan

[@borednow]

You scroll through the comments, looking to find another viewer with a similar sense of humor. Quickly your eyes search for something that might spark your interest. Sentences that start with the word "you" for example, or unusual usernames like borednow. As you realize that this comment is using a blend of the "audience address" and the "reader insert" form of second person point of view, the right corner of your mouth slowly lifts. This comment tickles your intellectual G-spot but does not stimulate you enough to actually laugh out loud. You look at the number of likes this comments has received from other viewers and see a little red heart besides the thumbs up icon. You then decide to increase the number and click like.

[@kosmosvanhartland747]

Okay, but I did audibly giggle, this was fun! 🥇

[@borednow]

@@kosmosvanhartland747 thanks :D

[@VermillionLeaves]

Bright Lights Big City by Jay McInerney is a fantastic example of second person done extraordinarily well in my opinion 😊 Great video as always! ❤️🌸

[@luukbenschop1718]

My writing career hasn't been alive for very long, but I tend to write in third person. I tried first person once, but I didn't really get through it. As for second person, I have--inspired by Delight Games--written some interactive fiction as a side project. That isn't much like this, though, but the video is definitely still helpful. Unlike your videos on first and third person perspectives, I feel really like experimenting with different viewpoints now. Thanks a lot for that! As always, the quality of your work is amazing. Just too bad I didn't see any violins...

[@lesleyann5118]

Your videos tend to light the fire under me to expand my reading library and my writing scope. I’m always wary of second person narrative, but this video pointed out other ways to look at it and how to make it work in favor of your narrative as opposed to a gimmick. Thank you so much!

[@QuotidianWriter]

I truly appreciate your thoughtful and kind comment! Keep writing. :)

[@DalCecilRuno]

"Character address" is something I've done in my short story. It was in first person, but the 2 protagonists addressed each other. I've never heard of it before but it fits with that story, so I mentioned that I did use the you pronoun here and there. Thank you so much for clarifying this!

[@peterbrickwood3204]

Not just widely read but diversely read--fascinating podcast.

[@RoseBooksAndLearning]

I LOVE your page ❤ happily binging videos, saving to rewatch later and taking notes!

[@tuskinekinase]

Thank you for explaining and demonstrating the hows and whys of using second person narrative! I think I might give it a try in segments describing the narrator's traumatic childhood experience where they had little agency.

[@QuanticDreamer]

Unironically, this is exactly what I needed to be able to write down my own experiences, in order to get past the emotional walls which block me from finishing my story. And more. This video was powerful. Thank you so much. Never stop creating.

[@DalCecilRuno]

I think this is my favorite video so far. I'll come back to this many times, and also, so many books I haven't read yet. Thank you so much!

[@QuotidianWriter]

I appreciate that so much, Dal! Keep writing. :)

[@lillydevil2486]

As much as it's frowned upon, I used to make poetry in second person. But now the typical 'normal' poetry. Like, post-apocalyptic stuff. Or an almost victim of violent crime

[@verdarluz-divinetimingcoac1646]

this is inspiring and very instructional, thank you!

[@kennethjohnc.delavega9427]

THANK YOU DIANE FOR SHARING THIS!

[@JoeWebb-TheStoryteller]

POV is something I know very little about. This is super interesting!

[@arcanus9725]

Your videos are amazing writing utilities that I find myself coming back to time and time again. It's incredible work and I love each and every single one that I watch.

[@QuotidianWriter]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Keep writing. :)

[@MxZui]

I always get the urge to write when I watch your videos 🤗

[@QuotidianWriter]

Exactly my goal! :D

[@thethmooteresa]

Same!!! ♡♡♡♡ the best refresher for the brain

[@jasming8893]

Fr im pumped!

[@MichaelJMetz]

Thank you for this video. I'm writing a series of short stories as part of a whole book. I'm working on one of the stories to be in second person. Very comprehensive.

[@cannonfodder4376]

A very informative video on a POV I never really see. But the examples shown are evidence that it can be made to work but the skill ceiling is high indeed. Great video as always.

[@rchriswells]

Great video! As a Dungeon Master, I got a lot out of this video. Second person is the bread and butter of TTRPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.

[@ajax_galaxy1701b]

I found your channel after your most recent video. I'm glad to see more content as your insights and encouragement help a lot!

[@QuotidianWriter]

I truly appreciate your kind words! Thanks for watching. Keep writing. :)

[@shawanalulu]

Excellent video, I’m in the process of writing a 2nd person spoken word narrative. This will definitely help with my understanding and knowledge plus how I choose to write it! Many thanks 👍🏽🥳🌺

[@stevencorey1278]

To me, it seems that the reader would not have control of the story in 2nd person. A person could be uncomfortable with that. The reader is no longer a neutral observer who does not have to invest in the story beyond being entertained by it.

[@arabella-fl5he]

maybe part of the eeriness of 2nd person comes from exactly that. this lack of agency that the reader experiences, it can be quite magnetic as you are pulled into the inevitabily of the story.

[@notan3144]

@@arabella-fl5he Yeah probably better for small scale horror/thriller novels/la, can imagine third limited or first person would strictly be better in other genres unless there is some exceptional usage of the perspective by the writer.

[@thethmooteresa]

Tumblr you perspective stories are so goodd 🎉❤ sometimes we just don't want to be ourselves, we want to live and experience another life as genuinely as possible 💕🙏 I reconmend the x reader stories, the second perspective strives in all fictionally spaces

[@jasming8893]

Absolutely love this video.. the pros and cons breakdown of the different types and how it’s used. Chefs kiss😘👌🏾 helps me make some exciting decisions !!

[@kzma009]

Thanks a lot. I was precisely looking for this tips 😆😆

[@samriddhinayak5675]

Great video.👍I had a question. How do you answer questions in a novel ? What ways do you use to get to the answers ? While writing a story, we come across questions(regarding character, conflict, etc.) which needs to be answered to move ahead. I wanted to know what techniques do you use when you are stuck in a story (by these questions) ? Thank you.😃

[@QuotidianWriter]

I'm a big fan of writing lists, so that's what I do when brainstorming ideas for answering narrative questions! I'll type the question at the top of a Word document or notebook (e.g., "Why does she hate her grandmother?"), and then I'll challenge myself to list ten possible answers to the question, no matter how weird they are. I discard the most obvious answers and choose the one that makes me want to know more, which I can then explore while writing the story. At the end of my "Fleshing Out Your Characters" video, I give an example of this strategy. Keep writing! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaiteKKkbpmGrpY

[@strangerrshade3347]

Didn’t think this day would come 😤❤️

[@Thenoobestgirl]

Books that I've read who did 2nd person narrating right: - "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern (used in several chapters to immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the circus) - "The Naturals" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (used to put the reader (and the investigating characters) in the minds of the serial killers) - "The Lost Sisters" by Holly Black ("A Folk of The Air" novella written as an (unapologetic) apology letter from one twin sister to the other, explaining the sister's perspective of things that happened in the first book of the series from her POV) - "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V. E. Schwab (used in very specific segments to convey a philosophical idea or emotion)

[@pedrobalduino3872]

Your videos are the best thing that ever happened in my life

[@creaeimag6776]

Diane your videos are awesome. Your cadence is so warm. I love to learn from you!

[@QuotidianWriter]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Keep writing! :)

[@libbeyrambler2307]

MY QUEEN IS BACK

[@midoriyaiku9469]

Finally, a 2nd POV

[@evennot]

Greentext Though I'm glad it wasn't mentioned That analysis was very nice. For some reason I saw (occasional) second person narration only in comedy. Like when the narrator stops and adds remarks to alleviate the mood or to make things more cozy. I know about some books written in 2nd person, but haven't read them. Got to give it a try

[@rakshitjambavalikar7101]

you're doing a great job ma'am 🔥🔥🔥

[@howardkoor2796]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@epiphanyhawthorn4434]

❤❤❤❤❤ Such clear advice Thanks!!!

[@QuotidianWriter]

Thank you for watching! Keep writing! :)

[@liezel921]

This was so interesting, I loved the whole video. I've got stories in me and I've been stuck on how I want to begin. I wanted to know what view I should write. I've done first and third POV in past stories and would like to know if second POV would be a good fit for me, I think it might be. Thank you for this informative and fantastic video. I'll be rewatching this again whenever I feel stuck.

[@Mara.O.Garner]

Love your voice and videos😍

[@abhiram1906]

Addicted to your videos

[@TheMusicscotty]

Yay a quotidian!

[@korisbull3350]

Really miss you guys. Much love.

[@meepbeep2464]

HOLY 40 MINS?? THIS IS GONNA BE FUN

[@adrianmartin7742]

I never knew that this was an option. If I had, I might have tried it in my novel.

[@precious1653]

Missed you Diane!!! haha

[@zacharylarson6157]

One of the biggest issues I struggle with second person (reader is the character), is the narrative strong enough or if it would be stronger in third limited.

[@keiroysmith6927]

hmm, maybe you will use this info from Diane and incorporate it into your stories, test it out she says you might be surprised the outcome of your actions, but OfCourse it all depends on you, you seem to catch a spark, a new idea pop into your mind, you feel happy to have subbed to her channel.

[@factoryofdivisiveopinions]

How come the least used style has the longest runtime?

[@QuotidianWriter]

Since it's the most under-analyzed perspective, I wanted to give it the most attention! ;)

[@erictart4225]

Hello Diane, Just wanted to thank you for @5:27 Someone needs to write a short second person missive from a cat's point of view.

[@jacobhibbard7360]

I smoke a lot of 2nd person. It's my go-to strand.

[@QuotidianWriter]

Legit made me laugh out loud, haha!

[@factoryofdivisiveopinions]

Can you also please make a video on Editing. From different types of editing to different styles and drafts.

[@AleX-qu9ce]

can you make writing /storytelling in the third person like in a documentary? thanks.Learning a lot from your videos

[@prenticeclark1454]

I recently read Harrow The Ninth and for most of the book, the second person feels like a distancing technique and a way to distinguish one time period from another. But in the end it turns out that there has been someone addressing the protagonist (sort of… there are problems with it). It’s one of those cases where the second person is employed as part of the twist. I’m not sure that sort of use is a great idea because as the reader, you adjust to the POV as foundational and then finding out that it’s just a “clue” is rather jarring

[@sayakyo7024]

Hi, loving the video as it very informative. Just one thing, though. May I ask why you put Harrow the Ninth in #4 Distant Narration? Because I don't think that is the case at all.

[@QuotidianWriter]

I haven't read the whole series, but an article on Tor described its use of second person as such. I saw another comment on here, though, that described it more like The Fifth Season, where it's an outside first-person narrator describing another character (a form of direct address). Was that the case in your experience?

[@sayakyo7024]

@@QuotidianWriter Ah thank you for your reply. Yes, that person was right. And honestly, I blame that article. The series is from Tor and they can't even get it right. Though it is suppose to be a twist so maybe they are trying to not to spoil that.

[@QuotidianWriter]

​@@sayakyo7024 I felt kind of bad for spoiling The Fifth Season for the same reason, since that's also a "reveal" at the end! I can't find the specific Tor article, but there is a Vox article that called the use of second-person POV in Harrow a form of dissociation, although I might've misinterpreted it due to my unfamiliarity with the characters. "For most of Harrow the Ninth, we alternate between perspectives. Half the time, we follow Harrow’s Lyctor training from a tight second-person point of view, and while second person is always tricky, Muir pulls it off nicely here. In large part, it works because Harrow is so traumatized: She’s dissociating, and she can’t narrate in the first person because she can’t bear to address herself so intimately. But the perspective also works because it allows Muir to play with pronouns. The first time she switched out of 'you' and into 'I,' I sat straight up and clapped my hands with glee."

[@sayakyo7024]

@@QuotidianWriter Oof, this article made it so specific. No wonder you made the assumption. I would, too. In any case, thank you for the replies. I was so confused when I saw that haha. It's tricky, though, to write about it without spoiling the twist.

[@borednow]

lol i like the last two sentences, very meta :D

[@TC0100]

damnn there is alot of content here, gonna se the video looks interesting, apreciated the work in this, thank 4 the video

[@ghostdreamer7272]

Which form did N.K. Jemisin's "The Fifth Season" follow?

[@QuotidianWriter]

I might classify it as "character address," with an outside narrator addressing the character. However, since the pronoun "I" is rarely used and the narrator is truly keeping themselves out of the story, it feels more like distant second person to me. It's like omniscient third person, except in second, haha!

[@12thDecember]

Good luck to people writing in second person, the most unnatural story-telling style.

[@howardkoor2796]

The Reluctant Fundamentalist did a great job with 2nd person.

[@mosesonoh-mi4tr]

Is breaking the fourth wall and second person the same

[@pauloazuela8488]

Violet evergarden in its novel uses these pov if I remember more often

[@berryXjerry216]

I think second person POV is often used in YN fanfictions. (Your name) I don't think it would fit in a novel that much, for all the reasons you've mentioned in 4:02

[@WorldInterestingNews]

I am writing depending on the mood..

[@billyalarie929]

I didn’t understand the description in that first passage in Self-Help, at all. And that’s not because it was in second person.

[@user-microburst]

Have u done 1st person yet???

[@QuotidianWriter]

Yes, it's right over here! :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqXQnHuPr5Zmi7s

[@trekm.7464]

Writing a second person perspective as a toilet. There's an idea! 😆

[@Doubleaa500]

Oh interesting! So second person is like first person, but someone is talking for you!!

[@eqskolkata4460]

Thanks a lot for the videos...helps every aspiring writer. Is there any way I can reach out to you via mail?

[@stephenlayland2889]

Dialogue is my refuge against pronoun ubiquity. Your love is not dead. Even though ... Every visit, over tea in the kitchen, she bequeaths another piece of her younger life to your daughter. "Buy anyway, the market will come around." "It's not too soon, I had you when I was twenty-three." During the ads at a break in the game, you float a notion. "I'm thinking Corvette. The convertible." Your son-in-law leans in, elbows on knees. "Hey. Aren't you ... afraid of the cliche? 'Mid-life crisis', and all." "Actually, it's for her." "Dad," he's an orphan, "if you can sell that --" "She's so claustrophobic, these days. I'm down to it, the ... oh, hell. The open road. Rock music against the wind buffet. The infinite blue headliner, spattered at night with stars. All the cliches." "Mmm. I hate to see you down like this. Say, is there any room in those things for a picnic basket?" "A small one, maybe. I could cram a blanket behind the seats." "Sounds like a plan." "Y'know, son, if it works out, I'll let you borrow the car one weekend." Of course, you'd kinda like to have a grandson.

[@munjarez1721]

-The Fall- by Albert Camus

[@velocitor3792]

It seems like second person writing needs to explain who is doing the narration. Book: You go alone, down the dark stairway... Me: Uh, if I was alone, how do you know I did that? Where were you? And who are you, by the way?

[@urthondurdie]

Only recently you have started thinking seriously about writing...again. So there is Diane's voice, and you ask yourself, if you should rather stick to podcasts.

[@kimoraarden1983]

😔 Promo_SM!!!

[@SplashyCannonBall]

Don’t you think Publishers have become “woke”. It’s hard to find free speech in books anymore. Every day the new titles are always Jewish trials, Black oppression, Gay repression. I find that writing is no longer for all. But rather for those who publish.