Make Your Writing Process Easier: Part 3

Before creating any piece of writing, ask yourself the question, Who am I writing this for? Who is my ideal reader? The answer creates clarity that makes your writing flow with ease. The answer gives your writing focus. And it helps you speak directly to your readers with words, tone and style that resonate with them.

If you write without identifying your ideal reader, you are writing in a vacuum. You’re talking to yourself. And your writing won’t appeal to anyone except you. Of course, that’s fine if you don’t want anybody else to read it. For example, when I write in my journal, my writing is for me and no one else. I don’t want anyone else to read it. In fact, I would tear the journal out of their hands if I caught them reading it!

To identify your ideal reader, ask yourself who in your life represents the type of person you want to read your novel, essay or how to book. If you can come up with one person, great! If not, think in terms of gender, age range, values, concerns, likes and dislikes, outlook on life, and social and economic status. What’s most important to them? What makes them happy? What makes them mad?

Identifying your ideal reader can be challenging. At first, all you may see is a gray, amorphous blob. Keep looking for specifics. Then create a composite ideal reader. For example, your ideal reader could be working mothers seeking information on how to balance work and family. This ideal reader could be more specific, such as working mothers of toddlers or working mothers of teenagers.

Many writers get concerned that by identifying their ideal reader, they are excluding others who may be attracted to their work. Don’t worry. You’re not excluding them. They’ll find you if your writing resonates with them. But if you don’t identify your ideal reader and try to appeal to everyone, you’ll end up with bland, watered down writing. Your work will lack a distinctive tone, style and voice.  

After you have identified your ideal reader, direct your writing to them. Write as if you are talking with them over a cup of coffee. Do this and you’ll discover how much easier it is to write simply because you know who you’re writing for.

Now that you have answered all three questions — Why, What and Who — you have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.

Make Your Writing Process Easier - Part 2

When someone asks you what the book or short story or article you're writing is about, can you tell them in a couple of short sentences? Can you say it in words they'll easily understand? (In other words, without using jargon or words you've coined for your story?)

No? Then you are missing another key piece of the foundation for your writing project. That key piece is your theme — your core message.

Stating your theme, or core message, in under 50 words gives you clarity. It provides you with a compass to guide your writing. When you can't describe your theme succinctly, it's easy to meander and take detours that muddle your writing. Having a theme keeps your writing focused so that each word, each point you make, each word propels the story forward and keeps the reader engaged.

To identify your theme, ask yourself this question: What? What am I writing about? Keep your description short — just a couple of sentences, under 50 words. And describe it in simple language you would use at a party or networking event. Then try it out on a trusted friend or associate. Do they get it?

In Part 3, we'll focus on the question, Who? When you answer all three questions — Why, What and Who — you will have a solid foundation to launch your writing process and guide you to completion.