Like I was saying before, 2nd person is VERY rare. But yeah, the easiest way to describe the difference between 1st person and 2nd person would be . . . in 1st person, you're telling people how you feel; in 2nd person, someone is telling YOU how you feel.
I woke up with a headache. I think someone might have clubbed me while I was distracted last night. Either way, I'm glad that night is over, because today I have bigger things to worry about. My sister's birthday is coming up, and I need to get her dog shampooed before she gets home!
Compare that with:
You woke up with a headache. You think someone might have clubbed you while you were distracted last night. Either way, You're[/B[ glad that night is over, because today you have bigger things to worry about. Your sister's birthday is coming up, and you need to get her doog shampooed before she gets home!
Something like that. It's very pencil-and-paper gaming kinda storytelling.
I think I just need more examples to help distinguish between first and second perspectives when writing. The only way I know to put it is that it doesn't quite connect. -_-' Sorry if I'm not making sense here. Perhaps I should go and check out some books from the library that are written in that manner so I can read them and get a good feel for them.
As for comments toward the writer herself, I was able to follow this just fine so I think you need not worry about that.
I always wondered about 2nd-person narrative just because it's so rare to see it. A lot of times I actually kind of consider some kinds of 1st-person POV as 2nd-person when the narrator is closely following the protagonist (like Doctor Watson in the Sherlock Holmes stories). So it's kind of like they say everything the person does, but since they can't read said-person's mind or anything like that they can only describe what they think is going on in the thought-processes.
Totally the wrong official terminology, but y'know.
It was very coherent, becky so don't worry about that.
I really enjoy reading and sometimes doing my short stories in the second person. I think it draws the person who is reading even more and you can actually feel all those things that are happening on the story. You know, just like the story you gave the example of, you see through Jos' eyes and body all the suffering his body and mind is enduring. It may be hard to do but I dunno I really, really, like it.
I'll have to try it out and make one of those one day...and yes I know I'm behind on your prompts, two in fact. I know I promise I'd do them and I will, I just didn't have any time available lately. Its been crazy!
This was really fun to read becky! Look forward for the next! ^_^
I still find it confusing at times. >_> Not your fault, just my tendency to allow my mind to wander to other things when English lessons are involved. It's a bad habit I need to break, seriously.
Most of what I write is not fiction so when I do... >_> I easily get this mixed up, and yet I never have the time to attempt to really practice it. It was an interesting read just the same though.
It was coherent enough for me. I caught on to what you were saying instantly.
I will be dreadfully honest and say that I adore a properly-executed piece written in the second person. I would assume that their lack of presence is due to the obvious limitations a second person POV presents. I even wrote a fanfiction one time to try and tinker with the system. It's difficult until you get going.
No it was coherent. It's exactly what my english teachers would tell me about writing in a certain POV. Another thing, and you said it when you said "...it's tricky to keep consistent" is to well... keep those POV consistent when writing and not to jump around when writing. It really is a good post.
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 06/23/08 | Reply
@Aaryanna:
Like I was saying before, 2nd person is VERY rare. But yeah, the easiest way to describe the difference between 1st person and 2nd person would be . . . in 1st person, you're telling people how you feel; in 2nd person, someone is telling YOU how you feel.
Compare that with:
Something like that. It's very pencil-and-paper gaming kinda storytelling.
Aaryanna
Otaku Legend | Posted 06/22/08 | Reply
@SomeGuy:
What specific parts felt confusing for ya?
I think I just need more examples to help distinguish between first and second perspectives when writing. The only way I know to put it is that it doesn't quite connect. -_-' Sorry if I'm not making sense here. Perhaps I should go and check out some books from the library that are written in that manner so I can read them and get a good feel for them.
~*Aaryanna*~
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 06/20/08 | Reply
@Aaryanna:
What specific parts felt confusing for ya?
As for comments toward the writer herself, I was able to follow this just fine so I think you need not worry about that.
I always wondered about 2nd-person narrative just because it's so rare to see it. A lot of times I actually kind of consider some kinds of 1st-person POV as 2nd-person when the narrator is closely following the protagonist (like Doctor Watson in the Sherlock Holmes stories). So it's kind of like they say everything the person does, but since they can't read said-person's mind or anything like that they can only describe what they think is going on in the thought-processes.
Totally the wrong official terminology, but y'know.
ShadowLight
Otaku Eternal | Posted 06/20/08 | Reply
It was very coherent, becky so don't worry about that.
I really enjoy reading and sometimes doing my short stories in the second person. I think it draws the person who is reading even more and you can actually feel all those things that are happening on the story. You know, just like the story you gave the example of, you see through Jos' eyes and body all the suffering his body and mind is enduring. It may be hard to do but I dunno I really, really, like it.
I'll have to try it out and make one of those one day...and yes I know I'm behind on your prompts, two in fact. I know I promise I'd do them and I will, I just didn't have any time available lately. Its been crazy!
This was really fun to read becky! Look forward for the next! ^_^
The crazy bubbly shadow
Aaryanna
Otaku Legend | Posted 06/20/08 | Reply
I still find it confusing at times. >_> Not your fault, just my tendency to allow my mind to wander to other things when English lessons are involved. It's a bad habit I need to break, seriously.
~*Aaryanna*~
jomz
Otaku Summoner (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 06/20/08 | Reply
I really enjoy writing in the third person, and using the limited view POV is once of my favorites. I like giving the readers a sense of suspense.
It's still coherent. :D
Rachmaninoff
Otaku Legend | Posted 06/20/08 | Reply
Most of what I write is not fiction so when I do... >_> I easily get this mixed up, and yet I never have the time to attempt to really practice it. It was an interesting read just the same though.
-Darren
TimeChaser
Madman With a Box (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 06/19/08 | Reply
It was very coherent. ^^
I'm a big fan of the Third Person, since that's what you see most fiction written in.
Bazinga!
Nehszriah
Hits Self With Axe (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 06/19/08 | Reply
It was coherent enough for me. I caught on to what you were saying instantly.
I will be dreadfully honest and say that I adore a properly-executed piece written in the second person. I would assume that their lack of presence is due to the obvious limitations a second person POV presents. I even wrote a fanfiction one time to try and tinker with the system. It's difficult until you get going.
Be true, be you and of course, be otaku.
xaos
Burning Spirit (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 06/19/08 | Reply
No it was coherent. It's exactly what my english teachers would tell me about writing in a certain POV. Another thing, and you said it when you said "...it's tricky to keep consistent" is to well... keep those POV consistent when writing and not to jump around when writing.
It really is a good post.