What Does the Reader Want?

Who do I write for?

An agent, publisher, myself, my reader? The general masses or a specific few? Maybe we write for profit, maybe we write for fun, or perhaps to heal by telling our story. Yet again.

It could be, the telling encourages others, or lifts our spirits and soothes our souls. It may challenge, instruct, or offer experiential advice. Sometimes, it simply entertains.

It’s a dilemma for most writers.

We long to write. Stories or non-fiction pours out of our brains and into our fingers through our keyboard and onto the page. Creativity expressed without much initial thought as to whether I’m writing for a niche or my Aunt Matilda’s reading group.

But what do we do when people, agents, publishers start telling us what to write? I’m not talking about writing advice, I’m talking about career advice and life direction. I’ve been struggling with this question.

I’m not sure what the average reader wants. 

Thousands of authors turn out new works every day. There are more Amish books out there right now than I can ever imagine reading, yet I’ve read my share. My reading habits are varied and not the same as anyone else. I’m currently reading Sherry Kyle (romance), John Grisham(legal thrillers), a book about Rabbi Jesus (Lois Tverberg) and books for my eighth graders literature/history classes. And, my Bible.

This is my conclusion.

Maybe what readers need is a better point. And I don’t know that either. But God knows. He knows who will be inspired, touched, challenged, entertained or advised through whatever I write. So I’ve decided to write whatever God gives me to write at any given time. Sometimes it’s just plain fun. Most of the time it blows me away. Always, I’m amazed at how it seems to help someone in some way.

So I guess only God knows what a reader wants or needs. If I write for him, he’ll make it be for others. He’ll put it into the right hands at the right time.