Stepping Into the Story: how to write in second person point of view

Have you ever opened a book and suddenly found yourself holding a sword, soaring on the back of a dragon, or standing on the edge of a world-changing decision? That’s the power of second person point of view. You’re not just reading the story–you are part of the story.  

This month we’re going to look at when second person should be used, the pros and cons, and an example that shows the difference between awkward and immersive writing.  

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What is Second Person Point of View?

Second person point of view (POV) uses you/your pronouns to place the reader directly into the narrative. It’s a style you’ve probably seen in self-help books or instruction manuals, but it also appears in creative writing, games, poetry, and even experimental films (this blog post is written in second person).  

When used effectively, second person can be an immersive and emotionally powerful tool in your arsenal. It draws the reader in and creates a sense of intimacy that other points of view may not match.

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When Should You Use Second Person?

Second person POV works best when your goal is to make your audience feel like they’re part of the experience. That’s why it’s commonly found in:

• Self-help and instructional materials where clarity and direct engagement matters.

• Video games where the player is the protagonist (e.g. role playing games and visual novels). 

• Found footage and experimental films where audiences are meant to be part of the story. For example, Hardcore Henry (2015) was shot entirely in second person, turning the viewer into the protagonist. 

• Choose-your-own-adventure books where the reader is directly asked to make decisions. These types of stories are most often children’s books, but can be done in almost every genre. 

That being said, second person POV isn’t always the right fit and is often skipped over by editors, but why? Let’s look at the pros and cons. 

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Pros

Writing in second person POV adds a unique touch to your narrative, drawing readers into the story and creating a connection that first or third person doesn’t quite accomplish.  

• Deeper Immersion: Second person invites the reader to live the story as the protagonist. Unlike third person (which observes) or first person (which reflects), second person experiences. 

• Intimacy: The story becomes more personal—almost confessional—in second person. Making the reader feel as though the writer is speaking directly to you. 

• Narrative Distance: Ironically, second person can create distance for the author. Rather than becoming their characters, they’re telling your story. 

When used intentionally, this POV involves your reader, almost like they are co-creating the narrative with you. 

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Cons

Despite its strengths, second person lives in a critical lens. In a Reedsy blog post, 99.9% of editors they interviewed said they advise against writing an entire novel in this style. 

• Unwanted Intimacy: Second person can be asking for a level of intimacy that makes your reader uncomfortable, causing them to disengage from the narrative. 

• Reader Fatigue: Becoming the protagonist for too long can be tiring—particularly in longer fiction, as a lot of readers pick up a book to escape their own stressors. 

• Publishing Risk: Traditional publishers often view second person as gimmicky or too experimental, which could be a barrier for new authors. 

Writing a novel in second person POV can be a risk. However, this is your narrative, how you choose to tell the story is entirely up to you.

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What Makes Second Person Work?

While rules in creative writing are rarely absolute, it can become awkward for your reader if you don’t land the delivery. The key is to use second person POV with intention and purpose. Here are a couple of examples.

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Awkward

You sit in the driver’s seat, hands gripping the steering wheel. You see that it’s raining heavily. Your GPS says you are on the correct street, but you disagree. You start to feel weird. You remember you told yourself you could do this—go home and have a conversation. But, you aren’t ready, and you don’t think you ever will be.  

This version reads more like an instruction manual. It’s repetitive and lacks emotion and detail. Let’s try that again, using a more expressive approach.

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Immersive 

You grip the steering wheel tighter as the gentle rain turns into a downpour, making the windshield wipers nearly useless. The GPS insists this is the right way, but you disagree, not recognizing the mailbox numbers. You regret ever leaving the house—just one weekend back home you’d said, just long enough for that conversation with Dad—but now that you see the right mailbox, you don’t feel ready, and you never will be. 

This version uses sensory and emotional details to immerse the reader into the scene. It’s not about telling them what they’re doing, it’s about letting them feel it.

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Second person POV can be risky, but it also offers a unique kind of reward. It draws readers deeper into the story and creates an emotional bond that other points of view may struggle to achieve. 

I’d like to challenge you to write your own story in second person. Take a risk, experiment, make mistakes, you might even find that you enjoy the process. In the words of my high school art teacher, “There are no mistakes in art, only opportunities.”

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About the author:

Hi! My name is River, and I am a passionate, creative book goblin who loves a good plot twist and all things fantasy or dark romance. I am an English major, a playwright and novelist, and last year I read 237 books.