Contrary To Popular Belief, Write For Yourself First
Art For Art's Sake: Part 11
I thought I was writing a book for myself and a handful of friends. Instead, I wrote a book that spoke to millions.
- Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way
I know what I am about to say will contradict what's being taught out there in the market. But I am going to express it anyway.
Here it goes -
I believe most Writing should begin just as Julia Cameron had thought when she wrote The Artist's Way - writing for yourself first.
Here's why I believe in that.
When I started my writing journey, many articles, essays, videos and courses told me that I should write with the reader in mind. I should have the image of an ideal/target reader in my head whenever I sit down to write.
When I tried to imagine my target reader, I failed. I failed because I am not an ideal or target reader for my favourite authors.
I am an avid reader of cozy mystery, gruesome serial killer stories. I thoroughly enjoy myself in thrillers and suspense. I don't mind action or a sprinkle of science-fiction (no robots or spaceships for me, thank you). I love going back in time with historical fiction (except the war stories, they break my heart). And yes, I believe in rebirths, ancient mysteries, supernatural, and superheroes. (Have you seen the new Marvel show, Moon Knight?😱💖)
So now, if I were to imagine Agatha Christie doing one of those ideal reader worksheets, she wouldn't put my name on there. And yet, I devour her books like a piece of Belgian chocolate cake.
We are humans. We have a myriad of likes and dislikes. And therefore, we are the target audience for a multitude of things.
We don't just like one thing. We like many. And over time, age and experience, our choices change. I was once a target reader for cozy mysteries. Now I am a target reader of spirituality and philosophy. I am changing, and so is my taste.
So to look for a target reader was futile for me.
To refine and find out who would like my work was a headache and a heartache for me.
Headache because how the hell would I know if 24-year-old Sophia would like my detective novel.
Heartache because in trying to find who my ideal reader was, I was wasting time that could have been used to write my book.
But things changed for me when I started writing for myself. And this is why it works.
Writing for yourself first works because you write from your heart whatever you want to write. And when you write from your heart, it finds hearts out there it will resonate with.
When I wrote with the target reader in mind, I would get busy catering to their whims and fancies. Which, by the way, I have no control over.
But when I wrote what my heart wanted to say, readers started coming back to me and telling me how much they felt understood.
Isn't that the feeling we all want when reading something? To feel like there's someone out there who gave words to our thoughts and feelings.
Author Audrey Niffenegger didn't write The Time Traveler's Wife because she found the right target audience who would read her romantic science-fiction. She wrote it as a metaphor for her failed relationships.
Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, didn't write The Mysterious Affair at Styles, bringing the egg-head Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to life because she saw the gap in the market. Agatha's sister bet that Agatha could never write a good detective story.
Author Elizabeth Gilbert didn't write her Eat Pray Love as a guide to help people find themselves. The author was journaling about her travels and how she realised that she missed out on loving herself.
Books like these make a genuine impact because the readers find themselves in them.
While finding the ideal/target reader can help you in some ways, it's ok not to think of it as one of the commandments of Writing.
Write for yourself first.
Write what you wish someone would have told you.
Write what your heart wants to say.
Share it where you can find people, and trust that it will resonate.
More in the Art For Art’s Sake Series -
Your Job As A Writer Is To Write
To Build Your Writing Career, Start Small.
What Does It Mean To “Trust The Process?”
Consistency Will Help You Make A Breakthrough
You Must Stay Persistent With Your Creative Journey
Deliberate Practice Is The Key To Master The Craft Of Writing
Go Low, Slow And Steady. And You’ll Reach Your Writing Milestones Quicker.
Treat Your Art As An Experiment
If You Are Not Having Fun While Creating, You’re Doing It Wrong
Contrary To Popular Belief, Write For Yourself First
Comparison And Competition Will Hurt Your Writing
Rest Is Your Answer To A Productive Writing Session
Let Curiosity Lead Your Writing - And 2 Ways Of Doing It
You Need To Have Faith And Let Your Words Flow
Always Move On To Your Next Writing Project
Once You Choose To Become A Writer, You Are One For Life.
You Already Are A Writer. You Just Have To Identify As One To Yourself.
