Who Is You: Writing Second-Person Stories with Nat Mesnard

Second-person stories are unique in addressing the reader directly, narrating what “you” see and do. “You stand at the mouth of the cave, preparing to take your next step.” This unusual storytelling perspective transforms the way we read fiction, supporting essays, short stories, novels, and even games that acknowledge and interact with the reader. In this generative workshop, we will investigate writing the “you” through prompts that cross genres, taking inspiration from literary fiction and memoir, choose your own adventure stories, and games. You’ll leave with a sense of how to write second person stories with delight and nuance, and a new understanding of genres that put the second person first.

Course Outline

This short, intensive online course will cover two three-hour sessions. Each session will involve the following activities to keep your creative mind active while building a collaborative conversation:

• Timed Writing Prompts: Write for a set length of time in community with your classmates.
• Breakout Rooms: Meet your fellow participants, share your process, and optionally read from work you’ve written during the class.
• Class-Wide Discussions: Type out your thoughts in the Zoom chat on short example readings or big questions. We’ll compare and contrast ideas, and nominate a few people to talk.

Capacity: 20