So this famous author once said, “. . .Every novelist has a single ideal reader; that at various points during the composition of a story, the writer is thinking, ‘I wonder what he/she will think when he/she reads this part?'” (note: yes, it was Stephen King in his book On Writing).
Had you asked me a year ago, or even six months ago, who my ideal reader was, I probably would have spouted off something about teen girls and good influences (I know, I’m laughing too), but as I was thumbing through my copy of On Writing and read this quote, I instantly knew who my real ideal reader was.
As clique as this sounds, it’s my husband—which yes, I know is hilarious. Hilarious because I’m not sure there is another person on this planet that hates books more. Yep. I married the book grinch. Dad always joked that when Andy married me, he got a wife and a library. Seriously that statement couldn’t be more true (there are 16 extremely large boxes currently sitting in my garage that my husband has moved the ten times we’ve moved in our marriage—he is very aware of the library he received when he got me).
I have critique partners and friend who read my writing, and, as much as I love talking “shop” with them, as much as I get excited when they love a scene, it’s not who I write for. The entire time I’m writing, I’m always asking myself “Is he going to like this? Would he think this is believable? Am I going to bore him? (which if I can entertain my Book Grinch, I would think that’s a pretty successful story.) Ask my critique partner how many times I’ve said, “I already know Andy’s going to tell me this is far fetched and unbelievable. I need to make it better.”
I know this may sound bad, and maybe like I’m afraid that if he doesn’t like something I’m not going to be successful. This isn’t what I’m saying at all. My husband isn’t going to hate something that’s good. He’d tell me it’s good, just not his particular cup of tea (romance, anyone?) But I do believe by having my ideal reader (could I have picked a more difficult ideal reader than my Book Grinch) in mind while I’m writing makes me a better writer. I want to make a scene deeper and richer because I know that he’d enjoy the story more. And what can better then teaching a Book Grinch to love books?
So, that’s who I write for. When you look inside, who do you write for?
I love this post! I think that’s a very special connection for writers and their spouses who don’t write or necessarily *get* that aspect of them. Jef is my moderator of all things “guy” — his voice keeps me in check when my hero would never say or do certain things.
That said, my ideal readers is anyone who needs to know redemption is possible for them no matter what they’ve done, even if they don’t have it all together.
I love it. I’m really surprised I write “for” Andy since he’s so anti-book, but he’s pro-me, so I guess it evens out. haha! xo, C