Not Everyone Will Like Your Writing… and that is okay.
Can you relate to one of these?
You sent your writing to several readers (including friends and family) and no one wanted to give you any feedback. They either ignored your request completely, or they only offered generic platitudes.
You posted a sample of your writing on Facebook, and no one commented, Liked, or Shared your work.
We pour our souls into our writing. Of course, we want feedback. We care what people think. And any negative criticism can hurt our confidence.
“If no one is going to read what I have to say, then why am I writing?”
It's enough to push us away from our writing dreams.
It is like inviting everyone to your birthday party, and no one shows up.
“Not even my family and friends care about my writing.”
Before you head too far down that path, let me stop you.
First, those types of thoughts are killers. They can ruin a promising career before it even takes off.
Second, and just as important, it doesn’t matter what your friends and family think. And that includes Facebook friends.
This is tough for new writers to fully embrace. But you are not writing for your family or friends. You are writing for a very specific audience.
If you genuinely believe that your story is universal and aimed at all men, women, and children, then read carefully.
It is not.
That is important enough to write an entire article about it.
If you aim your writing at everyone, in reality, you are aiming at no one. And it is nearly impossible to sell on Amazon or to a publisher.
You must target your writing to a specific reader.
All highly successful writers have this one thing in common. They know who their reader is, and what their reader wants. They are very clear on how they should target that audience.
Okay, you say, let’s assume that is true. How do I know who my reader is?
Well, that will take a bit of work.
There is a quote attributed to a handful of popular writers … “Write for one person only.”
Identifying and getting to know that reader will require a bit of work on your part. One technique that many successful writers follow is research on Amazon.
Find a few published books on Amazon that are like yours. Read the reviews. Get an idea of age and gender. And learn what they find important in a book.
I know, there are a few folks reading this now who might say… I don’t care what the masses are clamoring for… I will write what I want to write about. I am an artist. I am not a commercial sellout.
No one is asking you to betray your artistic vision or cater to the whims of the reader.
What I am saying is that even if the audience is you and you alone… and you are simply writing for yourself…it is important to identify your readers and make sure you give them what they want.
You have entered a social contract. Your reader has agreed to pay their money for written material that provides entertainment, education, and emotional involvement.
This is who you are writing for.
Know your reader. Mostly, know what will keep them turning your pages.
This is likely NOT your friends and family.
So, don’t allow their lack of feedback to discourage you from your dream. You have something to say… that part came easy.
Finish the process. Who are you planning on saying that to? And what is the best way to communicate your message to them?
This will help you get the positive feedback you desire… help you sell more… help you grow a following… and help you make genuine connections with your readers.
And isn’t that what it is all about?
A am available for mentoring and critiques. Get a free sample edit. Send a portion of your work to: submissions@warpspeedediting.com
