July 2008 Challenge: The Second Person

[Goliath]

Okay, writers: it's time to separate the men from the boys--and the women from the girls.

This month's challenge will be to write a Star-Trek fanfic in the second person.

Explanation:

English distinguishes three grammatical persons. I am the first person. You are the second person. He (or she) is the third person.

Most fiction is written in the first and third person. However, it is possible to write in the second person. Take, for example, the opening lines from Jay McInerney’s novel Bright Lights, Big City:

You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning. But here you are, and you cannot say that the terrain is completely unfamiliar, although the details are fuzzy. You are at a nightclub talking to a girl with a shaved head.

In this case, the “you” being addressed is the main character of the story. In other cases, the “you” is the reader—as in the first lines of Italo Calvino’s If on a winter’s night a traveler:

You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino’s new novel If on a winter’s night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. Best to close the door; the TV is always on in the next room.

The second person presents some unusual challenges, but also allows an author to create some unique and unusual effects. Note, for example, that second-person fiction is often written in the present tense, creating a much greater sense of immediacy than conventional past-tense fiction. Also, note how Frederic Brown uses the second-person to establish a threatening atmosphere in his story “Don’t Look Behind You”:

Just sit back and relax, now. Try to enjoy this; it's going be the last story you ever read, or nearly the last. After you finish it you can sit there and stall a while, you can find excuses to hang around your house, or your room, or your office, wherever you're reading this; but sooner or later you're going to have to get up and go out. That's where I'm waiting for you: outside. Or maybe closer than that. Maybe in this room.

You are allowed to mix in first- and third-person narration: see “Don’t Look Behind You” for an example of how to mix the two. But second-person narration must be an essential part of the story. I will disqualify any story that fails to meet this condition.

Maximum length 3500 words. Any period or series, canon or original-character.

The contest will close and voting will begin at noon Eastern, Thursday, 31 July. Voting will end at noon Eastern Sunday, 3 August. Good luck!

You'll need it.

 

[Mistral]

to quote Ralph Wiggum: "My brain hurts!"

 

[Gibraltar]

to quote Ralph Wiggum: "My brain hurts!"

"It tastes like burning!"

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

You are entering an arena of sight and sound where reality and imagination blur into one. There's a sign-post up ahead - you are now crossing into . . . The Twilight Zone. (Cue creepy music).

Should be a fun challenge!

 

[captcalhoun]

can we do a choose your destiny type story?

 

[CeJay]

Now you've done it. You made everyone who voted for you regret it!

Just kidding. You certainly put the challenge bit back into this thing. Admit it though, you are a literature professor, aren't you? I feel like I'm sitting in class here.

 

[Mistral]

I've already started on mine. I expect it will take a while to refine it. I looked up some references to this-now my brain really hurts.

 

[Goliath]

can we do a choose your destiny type story?

Absolutely.

 

[Goliath]

Now you've done it. You made everyone who voted for you regret it!

Just kidding. You certainly put the challenge bit back into this thing. Admit it though, you are a literature professor, aren't you? I feel like I'm sitting in class here.

Close. I'm a History professor.

 

[RevdKathy]

I had an idea for last month's challenge, but never got around to writing it. Hopefully, I'll do better this month. I have an idea forming already.

 

[BrotherBenny]

I have a couple of ideas in mind.

RevdKathy, does your Dalek say "Moderate...Moderate..." before firing the death ray???

 

[RevdKathy]

^Yep he does. Then he sombrerolates people.

 

[captcalhoun]

http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=59931

my entry

 

[Goliath]

I would just like to mention:

Since I've put myself in a position where I'm essentially pre-judging stories, to make sure that they fit the requirements of the challenge, I will not be entering a story this month, just to keep myself honest and impartial.

 

[CeJay]

I would just like to mention:

Since I've put myself in a position where I'm essentially pre-judging stories, to make sure that they fit the requirements of the challenge, I will not be entering a story this month, just to keep myself honest and impartial.

And to give others a chance to win for once? ... how very considerate of you.

 

[Mistral]

Harrumph. Shame he didn't not-enter last month!

 

[alicelouise]

I've made the 2nd revision to "Let the Games Begin!" Hope you like it.

Writing in the 2nd person is tough. If this can qualify, I'll be happy.

The main character is a disgruntled gymnast from the 24th Century. She's torn between public ax grinding and team loyalty.

 

[Goliath]

Harrumph. Shame he didn't not-enter last month!

You are sitting at your keyboard, burning with resentment and humiliation.

Bastard, you think. I had last month's challenge in the bag, before he showed up. And I had a perfect idea for this month's challenge, too--not this "second-person" rubbish. Who does he think he is?

Then, slowly, your face splits into an evil grin. You have an idea. An idea for a story.

You begin to type feverishly, your fingers hammering the keys. Words appear on your monitor, spattering across the screen like blood.

I'll show him, you cackle inwardly.

I'll show them all!

 

[Mistral]

LMAO!

 

[captcalhoun]