Using "You" In Stories

Oh, you.

 

"You" can most definitely come across as clunky. But there's a word I hate more -- "I." I hate, hate, hate column writers who lean on "I" like a cane. There are plenty of national guys who do this, over and over, and it burns me up. If you can't relay your personal reflections and experiences without the "I, I, I" approach too many columnists use, see a writing coach. It's lazy and arrogant. And don't get me started on seeing "I" as the FIRST word of a column.

So to get around this, there are times when I've replaced the "I" with "you," which (agreeing with editorhoo) can help bring the reader into the column. Now, you can't do this all time. The "You/I" substitution doesn't always work. You have to pick your spots, and have the chops to pull it off. But it can also give a column a nice depth and texture, and allow a writer to convey a first-person narrative without calling too much attention to himself. "Even in a pace car, the speed of Daytona pulls you back into your seat," is better than "Even in a pace car, the speed of Daytona pulls me back into my seat." Hey, the piece ain't about you, pal.

But that's the extent of it. In gamers and general features, you'd be better off writing around it.

 

Jay McInerney approves.