Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Greetings,
I have just finished my first book, will probably go the self publishing route. However I have a question about literary style. My book is a workbook with many questions and fill in the blanks the reader must endeavor to complete. I want it to seem personal, like a teacher and student. I therefore have used many personal pronouns such as "you," "us," "them" etc. Is this appropriate or does everything have to be in third person; example instead of "when you encounter..." should I revert to "when the reader encounters..."

appreciate any help or advise.

I don't know the subject of your workbook, but it sounds like you're addressing your future readers well as it stands. Even if in a technical manual, you can still use a personal style. Changing to the third person would distance you from your reader and sound artificial too.