Okay, yes, I know it’s been a while since I’ve cranked out one of these posts, but I’ve been busy…
But now! I have something to share with you!
A lot of us have heard about writing for an audience. “You should choose a—blah blah blah—specific group of—blah blah—people and imagine you’re telling them the—blah blah blah blah—story! Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah…”
Nope, my friend.
The real tried-and-true method is to… wait for it… choose one specific person who would enjoy the genre or basic plot and write for them.
That is the key.
Now, what makes this even better is that the person you choose doesn’t have to be real!
Yes. You read that right. I am telling you to if you want write for someone who does not exist and will never read your story.
(Bonus points if the person you choose doesn’t usually like to read or aren’t portrayed to have a preference in reading material or are otherwise hard to write for.)
Examples: What kind of story would Harry Potter read? Or Percy Jackson (and yes I do know most demigods have trouble reading. jeez, give me a break.)? What character (or person) would like a horror story? Would they like something with more action? Or dialogue? Would they like a story with really short, simple sentences or really long, flowery ones?
By choosing one person to write for, you establish a frame or guideline regarding the conflict and technicalities of the story. Technicalities including the style of writing, the amount of suspense or drama, the length, how detailed it is, and so so much more! (Whoops! Kind of turned it into an ad for kids’ toys there…)
But the point is that choosing one person to write for can help a lot in the sharpening of your story.
Now, I do have an announcement. A sad one.
For now, I am putting a temporary pin in Turning Back Time.
I know this is disappointing. But I also know that it is stressing me out!
There’s a few reasons why I am doing this…
One is that TBT is becoming increasingly difficult to write. I am the walking, talking, living reason writers say to finish things before you get tired of them or change your style. I started that story a long time ago, and I am having trouble emulating the style.
Another reason I’m doing this is because of the simple fact that I am the QUEEN of not finishing things. Like, who thought it would be a good idea for me to write a 10-12,000 word novella… oh wait… me… hehehe… oops.
This does not mean the story is over! I might come back to it or post a chapter once in a while, I just don’t want you all to be waiting on me to post it (because I don’t want you to hate me)! I might write shorter summary-like things for each chapter, if you really want the rest of the story NOW.
I will still be posting other people’s stories, as well! That’s not stopping! Still on, so you still get to enjoy other long stories!
I will also post more short stories and/or vignettes and/or poetry and/or even more miniscule excerpts from stories I’ll never write and/or etc.
That about wraps it up! I’m so sorry for not posting earlier, but… uh… I’m here now…? Anywhoozer, please Just Keep Writing!
Am I write? 