Writing for You vs Writing for Them

WHETHER YOU write fiction or nonfiction, novels or how-to guides, you are a writer. You put words on a page, one after the other, and you do so on a regular basis.

But why do you write? Is it an enjoyable hobby? A steady source of income? Do you have a message that people need to hear?

Do you write for you, or for them?

Writing for You​

• The Passion Project -- this is one of the most satisfying reasons to write. You don't need a particular reason to pick up the pen every day, other than simply because you want to. The passion project is something that means a lot to you, but won't necessarily mean anything to anyone else. It may never be read by anyone but you. But who cares? It gives you a sense of satisfaction and makes you happy. It's a pleasure to sit down and work on every day and, no matter how hard it gets to push forward, the passion you have for your project drives you onward to the finish line. Sharing your creation with the world is a bonus, not the end goal.

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• Enjoyment -- writing purely for enjoyment is good for you in many ways. Not only does it alleviate stress levels after a long day (or week) at the office, it also gives you the chance to practice your craft. The best way to improve at something is to do it over and over again. When writing purely for enjoyment, any progress you make with your project is twice as satisfying. Written a good story? Start again. Write another one. Who knows; maybe one day you'll decide to publish them.

• Artistic freedom -- when you write simply for you, you have all the creative freedom you could ask for. There are no rules and no expectations, other than the ones you place there yourself. Maybe you want to write a novella, but are torn between gore and romance. And... you have a soft spot for the Wild West. Great! Why not combine all three? If it makes you happy, then that's all that matters. Experiment to your heart's content.

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• Therapeutic -- how often do you hear the advice 'keep a diary' given out to those that are troubled? There's a reason that it's so readily suggested by others -- it's because it works. The same can be said for any piece of writing you put your heart and soul into. Writing is a form of escape. Whether your words form a world of magic and light, or a place of darkness and despair, getting those words on the page will have a positive effect. When you accept and embrace the way you feel, you project your troubles onto the page; turning the negative into something positive.

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Writing for Them

• Specific Audience/Genre Guidelines -- when you aim to publish, whether traditionally or via other means, there are specific guidelines that you're expected to adhere to. I'm talking about genre. Let me explain. A reader who buys a crime fiction book has expectations for their new purchase -- that the story will revolve around a specific crime and that it will contain the key elements, suspense and mystery. These are the basic requirements of a crime novel. But not all readers like to read the same ​kind of crime novel, and here is where subgenres play their part. Subgenres are smaller branches within a large genre, such as crime fiction, that group books together using specific characteristics and elements. So, if you decide that your book is a cosy mystery, readers will expect a likeable amature sleuth and a villain that gets his comeuppance. Whereas if your book is a thriller they will expect fast paced action and emotionally complex characters.

• Expectations -- when you publish a book, your number one goal is for other people to read it. (Obviously...) But by building a following for your books, you allow your readers to get to know you -- or, that part of yourself you share with the world, anyway -- and, after two or three books, your unique writer's voice will start to become familiar. Your style, your weird sense of humour, the rate at which you release books... When you write fiction, those expectations soar, especially when writing a series. Will Sam get the girl? Will Cara turn her back on the gang? When will we find out what happens next? You can manage reader expectations by planting subtle hints throughout the story. This is called foreshadowing. This way, when they get to the climax and it isn't what they expected, they will be able to back and track its inevitable happening. You can also use reader expectations to deliver a jaw dropping finale that you know no one saw coming!

• Solving Problems -- you can pretty much guarantee that for every common problem out there, there is a book that solves it. Go on, have a check. I'll wait. ... ... ... Okay, done? Good. Why is this? Well, it's a tried and tested system that works very well and sharing your expertise has many benefits. The obvious one is that it allows you to make a positive contribution to lives of others. Someone has a problem, you provide the answer. But, it also lends you a certain amount of authority on the subject matter and, the more problems you solve in a specific area, the bigger that reach extends.

Can You Do Both?

• Finding the Balance -- yes, I believe you can. In fact, I think it's important that a balance is found somewhere between the two. If you're not writing for you as well as them, then you must question why you are writing in the first place. Where is the enjoyment? Likewise, if you are a passionate writer that keeps the work you do to yourself, ask yourself -- why? Is it fear of rejection, or failure? Practice will only get you as far as the reach of your own limited knowledge. To truly improve, you must share your work. Allow it to take a step into the big wide world. Take on board the feedback you get from others and learn from it.

What do you think?

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