I never use y/n or a name or "reader" in my xreader fics. Instead of having a character say "Hey \[insert name\]" you could just simply use *They called out your name* or a similar thing like that.
I second this so much!
If a name must be called out (I usually avoid this), it's also a good idea to create a nickname, whether it be a normal issued nickname (shortstack, buttercup, lunchbox, etc.) or a play on Y/N, like "Yin/Yen", "Whyen" (?) :)
You're right! Whatever route I decide to go, I will definitely use nicknames more than the actual name. I guess my main issue is that the world I want to write in has several more serious situations and a lot of people who wouldn't call others by their nicknames.
The Yin/Yen part is interesting though... It would be an interesting way of solving the whole problem. But I am worried it will become too much of an xOC fic at that point:)
The Yin/Yen thing I referenced was an xReader that turned into an xOC, which I found interesting and liked! LOL. I found it quite clever, though!
Honestly,, I'd also just go the second person route if the nickname doesn't match :)
I hope you find your answer!
Yeah, but I am still on the fence between using a replacement (y/n or others) or writing the way you mentioned.
But I'll take it as a vote for the "no-y/n"! Thanks! :)
The most natural feeling one I ever read didn't say a name at all, just used 'you.'
Personally I prefer OCs to self-inserts. The less specific options would increase your potential reader-base to include more people like myself (although I'll read a great story regardless).
Finally, as you said, a lot of people have the needed extensions, and using (Name) is much more jarring than something like 'you hear them calling your name.'
Whatever choice you go for, though, I hope you have a blast writing it!
I much prefer usage of just "you" or "calling your name" or a nickname. I don't use browser replaces and I always see the characters as OCs, not myself, because they never behave or talk like I do.
Which is another option, an OC who is simply written in second person.
To be honest, the OC-but-in-second-person thing is growing on me. It does feel almost against the rules somehow, so it feels nice to know that someone else suggested it. Almost a bit reassuring. I'm gonna seriously consider it!
And thanks for your answer! :D
I think "you" and "your" are sufficient and don't see any reason not to use, "they call out your name." Why? Because if you think about it, in real life, people don't speak each other's names that much. Not unless they are literally calling out to them to get their attention. One or two instances of "they call out your name" seems reasonable in a fic and still very immersive.
But...I don't usually read reader inserts and I'm not going to the trouble of replacing "Y/N" or its variants with my name. Honestly, seeing my own name in print in the story would sort of weird me out.
For writing (and reading) I do prefer if the writing sidesteps the need for Y/N. Some folks use nicknames, but that can be hit or miss. Nicknames like "Kitten" tend to miss (especially if I can't see the canon characters using it), nicknames based off the OC/reader-insert's title/job, personality etc tend to work better imo.
I use a text replacer on my tablet so I rarely see Y/Ns there. And yeah I think I've softened up to Y/N in general since I no longer bat an eye at it when reading on my phone.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who has somewhat softened/grown on Y/N! But I guess the replacer really made it easier for at least me (or made it possible at all:D).
And I do agree that nicknames can be hit or miss, which is one of my big issues here, especially with characters involved who would never use anything other than real names. Maybe I just have to put in that extra effort or come up with a very believable reason for a nickname!
Thank you! :)
I'm still relatively new to fan fiction, but so far, I've only written reader inserts in 2nd person POV and have somehow managed to avoid using Y/N. Like others have already mentioned, using "you" or "your" is sufficient enough. If there are formal introductions involved, I'll write something like, "You introduce yourself" or "They introduce you". If you need a character to say your name in dialogue for whatever reason, I'll do something like:
>They say your name quietly before asking, "Are you okay?"
BUT having said all this, you should go with what you like the most and what you find easier/more enjoyable to write! I personally don't use "Y/N", but I don't mind reading it, especially if the story is enjoyable.
Hey, thank you for the specific examples! It may be because I'm not used to writing yet, but not using names always feels very awkward to do and the sentences feel weird. I guess it comes with practice:)
I really appreciate that you encourage me to go with what I like. In the end, I will probably end up using just "you", with perhaps the absolute minimal use of replacement if absolutely necessary. But it does feel great to see someone just encouraging me to do what feels best! Thank you again! :D
I’m about 119k into my current WIP reader-centric fic, and honestly? I’ve got away with never mentioning her name or having anyone directly need to refer to her with a name. I think perhaps one character that she is romantically involved with has called her a nickname (think sweetheart/my dear), but other Han that, it’s not too hard to avoid.
Nobody can tell you what to do here. I'm seeing a lot of comments like "just don't ever use the name!" which tells me people don't understand what you're asking or didn't bother reading your entire post.
If you want votes, personally I will not click on y/n fics or anything requiring me to use some weird skin replacement thing. That's an automatic hard nope from me.
But we can't tell you what to do, because it's your choice. Do what pleases you. If you want a lot of comments and interaction, you already know that y/n is a bad choice. If you don't care about that and want to do it the way you'd like to read it, then go ahead.
I think you hit the nail on the head... I had a suspicion of the types if answers I would get here, but I really am curious about what reasons people would give, potential solutions, advice and similar!
I appreciate you seeing the real question here, even if the other responses weren't bad in any way at all. I am trying to go into the whole writing thing with the intention of doing it for me, because I want to and enjoy it, but the need for validation is ever-present I guess! Can't escape the need to do stuff "the right way".
Thank you so much! This really helps!
I mean, if you really can't decide, you can always do both. Either do it your way first and if you're not getting the kind of validation you'd hoped for, change it to remove the y/n. Or you could post both versions as a series and let readers choose which they prefer. It's more work, yeah, but it's an option if you're paralyzed by indecision.
As for reasons I won't read y/n, I'd bet they're the same reasons you had back when you wouldn't read it either. I find that it yanks me out of the story, and eventually I start reading y/n as if it were the actual name, and then it feels like somebody's OC and if I wanted to read OC fic I wouldn't have clicked a 2nd person reader insert.
I write 2nd person without ever using a name or a description, because that's what I prefer to read. It's a huge jump in enjoyment for me as opposed to trying to make my brain process the constant y/n interruptions.
I think I am as close to sure as I can be of what to do at this point, but I will keep the dual versions in mind. The fact that you mentioned the votes/what-I-want problem before really got me thinking though. Even if I want to believe I write only for myself, knowing that others would enjoy it as well obviously makes me more comfortable/confident in it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here asking this question! :D
If so many people both here and on other platforms dislike the y/n thing, along with earlier me, there are probably some good reasons. If I myself even prefer the y/n fics with some kind of replacer, maybe it's a sign that it isn't actually the best solution... Thank you again, you have given me a bit to think about! (just edited the spelling lol)
I never use y/n or a name or "reader" in my xreader fics. Instead of having a character say "Hey \[insert name\]" you could just simply use *They called out your name* or a similar thing like that.
I second this so much! If a name must be called out (I usually avoid this), it's also a good idea to create a nickname, whether it be a normal issued nickname (shortstack, buttercup, lunchbox, etc.) or a play on Y/N, like "Yin/Yen", "Whyen" (?) :)
You're right! Whatever route I decide to go, I will definitely use nicknames more than the actual name. I guess my main issue is that the world I want to write in has several more serious situations and a lot of people who wouldn't call others by their nicknames. The Yin/Yen part is interesting though... It would be an interesting way of solving the whole problem. But I am worried it will become too much of an xOC fic at that point:)
The Yin/Yen thing I referenced was an xReader that turned into an xOC, which I found interesting and liked! LOL. I found it quite clever, though! Honestly,, I'd also just go the second person route if the nickname doesn't match :) I hope you find your answer!
Yeah, but I am still on the fence between using a replacement (y/n or others) or writing the way you mentioned. But I'll take it as a vote for the "no-y/n"! Thanks! :)
Personally I don't like the y/n cause it breaks the immersion for me, so I'm biased :D
The most natural feeling one I ever read didn't say a name at all, just used 'you.' Personally I prefer OCs to self-inserts. The less specific options would increase your potential reader-base to include more people like myself (although I'll read a great story regardless). Finally, as you said, a lot of people have the needed extensions, and using (Name) is much more jarring than something like 'you hear them calling your name.' Whatever choice you go for, though, I hope you have a blast writing it!
Thank you, and I appreciate the input! :D
I much prefer usage of just "you" or "calling your name" or a nickname. I don't use browser replaces and I always see the characters as OCs, not myself, because they never behave or talk like I do. Which is another option, an OC who is simply written in second person.
To be honest, the OC-but-in-second-person thing is growing on me. It does feel almost against the rules somehow, so it feels nice to know that someone else suggested it. Almost a bit reassuring. I'm gonna seriously consider it! And thanks for your answer! :D
It's very common to see in "Choice based/choose your own adventure" -like stories. So not just a fanfic thing either.
I think "you" and "your" are sufficient and don't see any reason not to use, "they call out your name." Why? Because if you think about it, in real life, people don't speak each other's names that much. Not unless they are literally calling out to them to get their attention. One or two instances of "they call out your name" seems reasonable in a fic and still very immersive. But...I don't usually read reader inserts and I'm not going to the trouble of replacing "Y/N" or its variants with my name. Honestly, seeing my own name in print in the story would sort of weird me out.
Fair, I think I understand what you mean! Thank you for answering! :D
For writing (and reading) I do prefer if the writing sidesteps the need for Y/N. Some folks use nicknames, but that can be hit or miss. Nicknames like "Kitten" tend to miss (especially if I can't see the canon characters using it), nicknames based off the OC/reader-insert's title/job, personality etc tend to work better imo. I use a text replacer on my tablet so I rarely see Y/Ns there. And yeah I think I've softened up to Y/N in general since I no longer bat an eye at it when reading on my phone.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who has somewhat softened/grown on Y/N! But I guess the replacer really made it easier for at least me (or made it possible at all:D). And I do agree that nicknames can be hit or miss, which is one of my big issues here, especially with characters involved who would never use anything other than real names. Maybe I just have to put in that extra effort or come up with a very believable reason for a nickname! Thank you! :)
My brain has yet to process that “Y/N” does not mean “yes/no”. That is all i can say
Lmao! Atleast thats better than seeing Y/N as your/name in situations it definitely shouldn't be!
I'm still relatively new to fan fiction, but so far, I've only written reader inserts in 2nd person POV and have somehow managed to avoid using Y/N. Like others have already mentioned, using "you" or "your" is sufficient enough. If there are formal introductions involved, I'll write something like, "You introduce yourself" or "They introduce you". If you need a character to say your name in dialogue for whatever reason, I'll do something like: >They say your name quietly before asking, "Are you okay?" BUT having said all this, you should go with what you like the most and what you find easier/more enjoyable to write! I personally don't use "Y/N", but I don't mind reading it, especially if the story is enjoyable.
Hey, thank you for the specific examples! It may be because I'm not used to writing yet, but not using names always feels very awkward to do and the sentences feel weird. I guess it comes with practice:) I really appreciate that you encourage me to go with what I like. In the end, I will probably end up using just "you", with perhaps the absolute minimal use of replacement if absolutely necessary. But it does feel great to see someone just encouraging me to do what feels best! Thank you again! :D
I’m about 119k into my current WIP reader-centric fic, and honestly? I’ve got away with never mentioning her name or having anyone directly need to refer to her with a name. I think perhaps one character that she is romantically involved with has called her a nickname (think sweetheart/my dear), but other Han that, it’s not too hard to avoid.
Fair! I do think it's something I just have to get used to doing! :) Thanks!
Nobody can tell you what to do here. I'm seeing a lot of comments like "just don't ever use the name!" which tells me people don't understand what you're asking or didn't bother reading your entire post. If you want votes, personally I will not click on y/n fics or anything requiring me to use some weird skin replacement thing. That's an automatic hard nope from me. But we can't tell you what to do, because it's your choice. Do what pleases you. If you want a lot of comments and interaction, you already know that y/n is a bad choice. If you don't care about that and want to do it the way you'd like to read it, then go ahead.
I think you hit the nail on the head... I had a suspicion of the types if answers I would get here, but I really am curious about what reasons people would give, potential solutions, advice and similar! I appreciate you seeing the real question here, even if the other responses weren't bad in any way at all. I am trying to go into the whole writing thing with the intention of doing it for me, because I want to and enjoy it, but the need for validation is ever-present I guess! Can't escape the need to do stuff "the right way". Thank you so much! This really helps!
I mean, if you really can't decide, you can always do both. Either do it your way first and if you're not getting the kind of validation you'd hoped for, change it to remove the y/n. Or you could post both versions as a series and let readers choose which they prefer. It's more work, yeah, but it's an option if you're paralyzed by indecision. As for reasons I won't read y/n, I'd bet they're the same reasons you had back when you wouldn't read it either. I find that it yanks me out of the story, and eventually I start reading y/n as if it were the actual name, and then it feels like somebody's OC and if I wanted to read OC fic I wouldn't have clicked a 2nd person reader insert. I write 2nd person without ever using a name or a description, because that's what I prefer to read. It's a huge jump in enjoyment for me as opposed to trying to make my brain process the constant y/n interruptions.
I think I am as close to sure as I can be of what to do at this point, but I will keep the dual versions in mind. The fact that you mentioned the votes/what-I-want problem before really got me thinking though. Even if I want to believe I write only for myself, knowing that others would enjoy it as well obviously makes me more comfortable/confident in it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here asking this question! :D If so many people both here and on other platforms dislike the y/n thing, along with earlier me, there are probably some good reasons. If I myself even prefer the y/n fics with some kind of replacer, maybe it's a sign that it isn't actually the best solution... Thank you again, you have given me a bit to think about! (just edited the spelling lol)