Why You Should Trust Just One Reader
- Jul 14, 2021
- 2 min read
Why writing with a huge audience ruins your novel and corrupts your authentic voice.
Most writers, whether they are published or not, have writing that appeals to many different readers who are interested in a variety of genres. While this is true, if you write with the intention of pleasing your audience, your novel will suffer. Here's why you should choose one imaginary (or real) reader and write with them in mind.
Your novel retains its focus.
Your novel will have less extraneous subplots (also called "plot bunnies" by us Nanowrimoers) when you have a clear focus of where you want to go. If you have one reader in mind, you won't be tempted to write a plethora of unnecessary scenes, and when you do write those scenes, you can edit without mercy, knowing that it will benefit the understanding for that reader.
Your authentic writing voice won't change.
If even subconsciously, you write to please others, your novel may not stay as strong in its voice. Imagine this, the narrator may have strong opinions on a topic, but if you (as the writer) worry about all the different types of people who may eventually read your work, you might end up censoring yourself. Keep those judgments at bay by selecting a reader (real or imaginary) who is accepting of your novel in all its glory.
When you do publish, you'll most likely have a tighter fan-base.
Remember just that one reader? Well, where there's one person's interest, there are many who will follow in the same niche! We're never alone in this world. Like romantic vampires? Hazelnut gelato? Red lipstick? Chameleons? Yeah, well so do many other individuals out there.
Final thoughts:
Writing to one reader calms that little voice in your head that says "this is for the masses". Settle down. Write for you, and write for that sole person who can accept your novel. It will bring you much peace when you can say, "That'll scare the crap out of them!" instead of wondering if your (someday) massive audience will be frightened by a scene you've penned.
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