What Does the Reader Want?

Posted on by Laura Bennet

Who do I write for?

An agent, publisher, myself, my reader? The general masses or a specific few? Maybe we write for profit, maybe we write for fun, or perhaps to heal by telling our story. Yet again.

It could be, the telling encourages others, or lifts our spirits and soothes our souls. It may challenge, instruct, or offer experiential advice. Sometimes, it simply entertains.

It’s a dilemma for most writers.

We long to write. Stories or non-fiction pours out of our brains and into our fingers through our keyboard and onto the page. Creativity expressed without much initial thought as to whether I’m writing for a niche or my Aunt Matilda’s reading group.

But what do we do when people, agents, publishers start telling us what to write? I’m not talking about writing advice, I’m talking about career advice and life direction. I’ve been struggling with this question.

I’m not sure what the average reader wants. IMG_4535

Thousands of authors turn out new works every day. There are more Amish books out there right now than I can ever imagine reading, yet I’ve read my share. My reading habits are varied and not the same as anyone else. I’m currently reading Sherry Kyle (romance), John Grisham(legal thrillers), a book about Rabbi Jesus (Lois Tverberg) and books for my eighth graders literature/history classes. And, my Bible.

This is my conclusion.

Maybe what readers need is a better point. And I don’t know that either. But God knows. He knows who will be inspired, touched, challenged, entertained or advised through whatever I write. So I’ve decided to write whatever God gives me to write at any given time. Sometimes it’s just plain fun. Most of the time it blows me away. Always, I’m amazed at how it seems to help someone in some way.

So I guess only God knows what a reader wants or needs. If I write for him, he’ll make it be for others. He’ll put it into the right hands at the right time.

What do you write or read?

 

 

11 thoughts on “What Does the Reader Want?”

  2. My reading at the moment is all over the place, I enjoy Lee Child, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, and many more but at the moment I’m writing the last few thousand of my nanochallenge and a bit of blogging inbetween. Great post

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    1. Thanks for your comments! Congratulations on your writing! Hopefully you’ve now finished or come really close to those last few thousands 🙂 I’ve heard of people doing that. Have you enjoyed the process?

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      1. Love the whole challenge from start to finish of 50,000 which happened last Monday but since then I’ve been struggling to finish the book, nearly there, I would recommend it to everyone young and old it gets your mind focused.

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  3. I usually write because it makes me feel better and hopefully I might say something that triggers something in someone else–positive (I hope) but I write to have fun, too, though I have no ability to do so. To help someone else..I worried that I couldn’t attract the right audience or enough people but God has a way of helping one to reach the people (person 🙂 ) that need to be touched so I write what I am moved to write about and leave the rest up to Him. You’ve touched me. I pray that your writings continue to touch others. Take care! 😀

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    1. Thank you so much! I agree with you. It always amazes me that God speaks to people through the words when I least expect it! I’m sure you have found the same with your writing 🙂

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  4. What a superb question, Laura! I try to write what comes from my heart (which I hope is inspired from above). If I can reach just one person, then blogging is worth it. Just wished I could find more time to do. Thank you for this inspiring post! 🙂 Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving.
    Tracy

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    1. Thanks for the comments and encouragement, Tracy! I think you’re posts are inspired as are your illustrations. And you certainly encourage me 🙂 How sweet to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for you.

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