#barnum effect

‘This is a story about you,’ said the handsome and talented Narrator, and you were pleased, because you always wanted read about yourself in a fanfic…

No, no, no! That was all wrong. I came over all Night Vale for a moment there. I’m not used to telling stories about someone other than Stanley but I will get this right! I’ll start again.

This is the story of you, the person reading this fanfiction. You find this fact intriguing and slightly worrying.

Before this, you have never been directly spoken to by a character in a fanfiction. This interaction makes you feel slightly off balance. You also know all about The Stanley Parable and how frustrated I can get with Stanley sometimes.

Fear not, intrepid Reader! Unlike Stanley, you have many great and admirable qualities. First and foremost, you don’t hide in broom closets rather than letting me tell my story.

You hear that, Stanley? The Reader is much better behaved than YOU! The Reader can also jump and is more attractive and hygienic than…

I apologies Reader. I will stop getting distracted. This is not a story about Stanley. You are better than him in every way and this is a story about you.

You, dear Reader, have many talents. In fact, you have a great deal of creative potential that you haven’t yet fully used. However, I know that you can and will do amazing things. There is no rush, you have plenty of time and I have no doubt that you will succeed in the end.

You often appear to outside observers to be a self-controlled person. However, I know that this is a mask you wear to hide the worries and insecurities that you feel. You tend to be very critical of yourself and your work. However, the truth is that you are your own biggest critic and you really do not need to be.

In all honesty, I have to admit that you aren’t perfect. Of course, you aren’t. Unlike me, you are only human and so you do have some weaknesses.

An example of this is that you sometimes let how others view you, affect your self-esteem. Other people’s opinions of you matter to you a lot. I know you want to be liked and admired. However, there are some people who will never fully appreciate the amazing person you are. That is okay. There are people who do and I am one of them.

Sometimes, you worry about whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. The world outside The Stanley Parable is not always straightforward. Sometimes there are no perfect choices but you do the best you can and that is all anyone can ask.

For the most part, you are able to compensate for the few shortcomings that you have. You can recognise and work around the things you struggle with.

I applaud you Reader for being an independent thinker! You don’t just believe anything you are told. You will listen to others and make up your own mind.

Sometimes, you need time by yourself so that you can rest, relax and reflect. At other times, you are very outgoing and sociable. Although you are a friendly person, you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others unless you know them well and trust them.

You…

*CLICK*

Oh, hello again Stanley. Finally finished with your little act of rebellion, have you?

Well, you can wait a minute while I finish talking to the Reader.

Reader, I would love to stay and talk more about you. It has been a pleasure to talk about someone other than Stanley for once, especial someone as special as you. Unfortunately, I have a job to do.

You see, my Stanley needs me and you don’t. Your story isn’t one I can tell in its entirety. You have to go out and live it.

Good luck, Reader. I know you’ll be amazing.

As the Reader finished the fanfic, Stanley came to a staircase. He walked upstairs to his boss's office…