Because I'm feeling curious...

[swatkat]

What do you think of the second person POV?

Whatever did people do before the xerox machine was discovered?

Comments

I won't ask what got you thinking...

[mscyanide.livejournal.com]

Whether a story is written in first, second or third person POV isn't as important as the quality of writing. I prefer third person, only because that appears easier for most people to write; second is second and first is last. *g*

Before Chester.F.Carlson's Xerox entered the world in 1961 people had to use carbon paper - thank you, Mr. Carlson.

Now I have two questions for you...*eg*

What came first, the telephone, the radio or the fax machine?

What do you get when you cross a vacuum cleaner with a blender?

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Whether a story is written in first, second or third person POV isn't as important as the quality of writing. I prefer third person, only because that appears easier for most people to write; second is second and first is last. *g*

I really have to find out a discussion link for you all. It was a fascinating discussion about POVs and their importance.

I've come across quite a number of people who say that they hate the first person POV (even more when it rotates). Hmm. Maybe it's bad first person writing that has conditioned everyone against it? *goes off to hunt for the link*

Before Chester.F.Carlson's Xerox entered the world in 1961 people had to use carbon paper - thank you, Mr. Carlson.

He was a genius indeed. But tell me, did they actually write everything down, say, when someone needed something important from an old, obscure book in the library?

What came first, the telephone, the radio or the fax machine?

The telephone. Most definitely the telephone. *g*

And for the second one, I have *no* idea. Heh.

Swatkat

Well...

[mscyanide.livejournal.com]

"I've come across quite a number of people who say that they hate the first person POV (even more when it rotates). Hmm. Maybe it's bad first person writing that has conditioned everyone against it? *goes off to hunt for the link*"

In my case it is a matter of the quality of the writing more than the POV - if something is done well, it doesn't matter how it is done. *g*

"But tell me, did they actually write everything down, say, when someone needed something important from an old, obscure book in the library?"

Good question. I would assume that they did have to write everything down or, if one was evil and lazy, rip the page out of the book.

"The telephone. Most definitely the telephone. *g*"

I'm sorry to have to tell you this (yeah right), but the telephone was most definitely not the first of the three. I was, of course, being nasty - the fax machine came first, and a good thirty years first.

"And for the second one, I have *no* idea. Heh."

A hair dryer.

I've a truck-load of such inane facts.

Second Person POV?

[msgenevieve.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. Here's some random thoughts.

It doesn't get used very much. In the hands of a good writer, I quite like it. It can add a different emotional punch to a story that otherwise wouldn't be there. It can also come across as being precious, wanky and pretentious, particularly if an author constantly uses it. You know, if it's their "signature".

Why do you ask? *g*

As for the second question, beats me. How old do you think I am, lol?

Re: Second Person POV?

[delle.livejournal.com]

I don't usually like 2nd person. For the exact reasons Gen just listed.

OTOH, in the hands of a capable writer, 2nd person voice can knock my socks off.

Hmm

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

You know, it's quite odd that I can't think of a single badly-written second person story. I really must read more.

Swatkat

Hmm

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

It can also come across as being precious, wanky and pretentious, particularly if an author constantly uses it. You know, if it's their "signature".

Could you elaborate? With an example perhaps? *g*

Like you said, that POV is rarely used. And because I haven't read as many fics as you all (damn you!), I can think of very few second person POV fics that I've read, and all of them very well-written. Two I can immediately think of is 'Mutation' by Asrai, and the 1000 word challenge story by Nestra (can't recall the name). And that makes me wonder why it isn't used more.

Why do you ask? *g*

Actually, I recently ran into some very well-written second person HP fics. One was a brilliant James/Snape (that too with rotating POVs) that left me in a shock - partially because I actually liked James, partially because it was on ff.net, and mostly because it was so well-written. Another one was a good H/Hr smut story - again, I was surprised that I liked it. I also thought that it would be quite challenging to write. *g*

How old do you think I am, lol?

Not much. Really. *vbeg*

Swatkat

Re: Hmm

[msgenevieve.livejournal.com]

Could you elaborate? With an example perhaps? *g*

Maybe. *g*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

*sings* Waiting...waiting...waiting...waiting...waiting...waiting...
Waiting for you to come along

Swatkat

Hmmmmm.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

To me, second-person POV is like really rich, sugary cake -- great in small doses (if done well), but not something I want every day. Its usage makes me feel as if I'm being forced to identify with the "you" character -- an interesting experience sometimes, but after a while I can come to resent it, especially if it's a character I don't particularly like.

First person is fine, although I've noticed that a lot of stories written in first person tend to have a breezy, casual kind of style that also annoys me after a while. (Just call me grumpy. LOL.) But that's more a habit of the writers than it is anything inherent to writing in first person.

I usually write in third person (with the exception of one story in first person, and one drabble in second) and tend to prefer reading it, too -- mostly because it usually avoids the issues I mentioned above.