I’ve often been told to write for an audience of one,
meaning that I need to write stories I enjoy reading and forget trying to
please others. Sounds great, right? But is it realistic?
To be up front, I write what I want. I’ve often said that reading tastes are
subjective, so one person’s thoughts or criticisms mean little in the grand
scope. What I pay attention to are
trends. Still, doesn’t that mean I’m
writing for more than just me?
Without someone else to read my work, it becomes little
more than a hobby for me. As brilliant
as I am, I know that my writing can always be improved, which is why I’ll see
if there is a trend in criticism that sparks a change or edit. Again, though, that shows that it’s not all
about writing the story just for me. It
can be about 75% for me, but audience input is important to create a better
story.
That’s part of the point though, isn’t it? We’re looking to get better as writers, and
self-criticism is often limited. Fresh
perspectives allow us to grow beyond what we’re capable of by ourselves. Think about it – if you only played
basketball by yourself, without a coach, could you really get your jump shot
where it needs to be? It’s on you to
shoot the ball, but others can see things in your shot that maybe you missed.
So write the stories you want to write, but know that, just
possibly, you’re writing for more than yourself, and accept that. It’s still enjoyable, and it creates room for
growth.