When to use 'you' in fiction: The second-person voice is perilous—but rich in possibilities.

The author discusses using the second person singular in narrative fiction. One successful example is the novel "Bright Lights, Big City" by Jay McInerney. Second person is an intimate, alluring voice. The very distinctiveness of second person narrative is one of its liabilities. Being rare in fiction, the "you" voice commits the sin of drawing attention to itself and away from story and character. INSET: 'You' in modern literature.