The Second-Person point of view in writing is the use of “you” rather than “I”, as in First-Person, or “he/she/it” in Third-Person. It is rarely used in fiction storytelling, at least when compared to how often First-Person, Third-Person Limited, or Third-Person Omniscient is used. But there are a few stories such as “How to Become a Writer” by Lorrie Moore and “How To Talk To A Hunter” by Pam Houston, which brilliantly portray what power Second-Person narration truly has when used correctly. Due to how unconventional it is today as a writing style, it is easy to fall back into First or Third-Person point of view when attempting to write in Second-Person. But if you have enough patience to perfect it into a skill, you just might strike gold with publishers that are willing to invest in this rare writing style. After all, since we are in the age of hipsters who enthusiastically value anything that’s unconventional, it could certainly pay off as a skill if you are willing to put in enough time and effort into it.
Before attending a Fiction Writing class, you were completely unaware that such a writing style in storytelling even existed. You remembered Second-Person narration being present in music lyrics and advertisements mainly; otherwise, its style was completely foreign to you. Before discovering this writing style, you had written stories in First or Third-Person point of view such as: A Squalid Spell (which is written in First-Person), A Death Wish (which is written in Third-Person Limited), and A Sale of Deception (which is written in Third-Person Omniscient).
Out of these three styles, First-Person narration felt like it suited you best; yet, it was beginning to make you feel a tad self-indulgent, since it revolves around “I” after all. This turned out to be an issue you ran into while writing “A Grim Recollection,” a story based on a frantic trip you took to your home state of Texas from California in November of 2015. You had originally named it "Dread and Enmity in Texas," written in First-Person point of view.
Although, once you finished writing it, and reading it over, something felt off. As most writers know, your style tends to be quite similar to the author you read most often, until you find a voice of your own. At this point, your story felt too similar to Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, based on how it was written. You begin to realize that you needed to find your own identity, in order to avoid Hunter S. Thompson referring to you as a thieving pile of albino warts from the heavens above. You wanted your story to feel like it was inspired by Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, while not plagiarizing it. As most writers like you know, there is a very fine line between inspiration and plagiarism. Until attending your Fiction Writing class, you were unsure of how to fix this problem, so your story remained on the backburner for a while.
About halfway through the quarter, your class began discussing different points of view in fiction, and your teacher had you read a story called “How To Become A Writer” by Lorrie Moore. The title of the story left you feeling slightly skeptical of how good the story would be, due to the cliché use of a title. But, then, you began reading, and were immediately drawn in. This story felt unique to you, due to its unconventional writing style and humorous use of satire. The use of this foreign language called Second-Person made the story sound like a satirical confession to you, while also revealing how random the process of becoming a writer can truly be, rather than the typical systematic process all beginning writers like you have heard before.
After discussing this story in class, you were given a take-home assignment, where you would write your own Second-Person point of view story. Once you got home, the first hour was a disastrous mix of contemplation and confusion. Then, you began searching through a few word documents, and found your old story: Dread and Enmity in Texas. First, you changed the name to "A Grim Recollection," because the words Dread and Enmity were merely synonyms for Fear and Loathing. This story needed its own identity, and you felt the title needed to be changed in order to do that. Then, you began translating the old version into this new revolutionary writing style you discovered.
Now to transition back to a First-Person point of view, momentarily -- in the end, you all are the final judges of how well this portion of my story (A Grim Recollection) turned out. But as of now, Second-Person narration is a new realm that I plan to explore for the foreseeable future. After all, all that you touch, and all that you see, is all your life will ever be…
***
A Grim Recollection (sneak-peek):
You stagger into the restroom at a nearby Target store, and the dazed look in your eyes stops you cold in your tracks. The mirror before you reveals everything you’ve been up to. At first, this doesn’t concern you, but then a voice in your head reminds you that you’re not in California anymore. This is Texas -- home to the savage Neo-Con Nazis, who could snatch you up at any moment, and lock you in a dungeon. These beasts have no mercy. You might try to plead your case by presenting your medical cannabis card, but it will be of no use. They’ll jam it into a shredder, and laugh hysterically at your impending doom. This daunting revelation will make your glazed eyes tremble in terror, but you decide to shrug off these ‘bad vibes’ and carry on.
You already know how dangerous it is to be out in the open like this, but your famished appetite gets the better of you: a grim mistake. You grab a shopping cart, trying your best to act natural, and embark on a journey in search of some scrumptious sweets.
You pick up a box of beverages, when suddenly you notice a woman with judging eyes staring you down. This paralyzes you for a second, but then you decide to move on as if nothing happened. When you turn into the next aisle, she turns too. When you maneuver into another aisle, she immediately follows, keeping her glance of rage upon you.
It appears to you that the disease of Social Conservatism is still highly apparent here, and her presence reeks of it. That “Trump 2016” sticker on her shirt was all you needed in order to know what kind of creature you were dealing with: a Neo-Con Nazi, in the flesh.
After living in California for the past four years, you have accommodated to living without these beasts, that you had begun to believe that they had truly become extinct after the George Bush era was long gone. But now it appeared that the rise of Donald Trump had brought them back from the dead.
No matter how helpless you may feel, you know that you’ve been here before, and have dealt with these creatures the best way you know how, through the art of deception.
“Are you on drugs?” she’ll hiss at you.
Stay calm. Any sudden movements could make her pounce like a rabid animal.
“No,” you’ll reply.
Things would likely have turned out better if you had decided to end the conversation there. But your depraved state of mind gets the better of you and awakens the beast nesting within the woman.
“But here’s some personal advice,” you say. “You should really cut down on those cigarettes. They’re rotting your teeth and wreaking havoc on your personal hygiene.”
With that, you’ve successfully planted a ticking time-bomb inside her brain, much to your own sadistic amusement. She’ll fume and stomp her feet in a Nicotine-infused rage, unaware of her own hypocrisy.
“ARREST HIM! HE’S ON DRUGS!” she’ll yell hysterically. But you’ll be ready for it.
By the time everyone notices the psychotic woman, you’ll blend in with the surrounding crowd that’s hovered around the cash registers, escaping the store unscathed. But, you both lost in this case, because you had abandoned your groceries in the process.
Even though you’ve escaped, you’ll realize that the danger is far from over. In Williamson County, TX, the feral swine in uniform are lingering around every corner, waiting to strike at any moment. That Neo-Con Nutcase will likely be on the phone with them by now, jabbering away about the menace to society she’d just witnessed.
Your amygdala will anxiously survey the parking lot, expecting to be swarmed by flashing lights. But the taxi you flag down will save you from her venomous fury. By the time the Williamson County Police Department begins to take her hysteria seriously, you’ll be long gone.
