The Fiction Writer's Tug of War: You vs Your Audience—Who Wins?

Writing for Yourself or for Your Audience: Is it a Personal or Monetary Endeavor?

There has been a long-running debate among writers about whether to write for yourself or for your audience.

As someone who writes pretty much only for myself and publishes others' work for almost exclusively financial reasons (and for my love of books), I have grappled with this question quite a bit.

On the one hand, and in my opinion, naturally, fiction writing can be an incredibly fulfilling process. And making authentic stories that ask the hard questions and help you find meaning and purpose in life creates a far more rewarding result than writing as pure business ever could.

On the other hand, writing for the reader makes it much easier to fill a market demand and grow an audience and, well….make some money so you can maybe do this full time someday.

So today, I'll be exploring this topic and the merits of both approaches and maybe offer some insights into why I believe writing for (primarily) yourself will be the more satisfying choice over the long haul.

But I also realize not all people are like me, so I will give you some reasons to disagree with that last statement as well.

Contents:

• Does this Distinction Even Matter?

• Writing for Yourself

• How Writing for Yourself Can Improve Your Craft

• Writing for an Audience

• Striking a Balance

• Final Words
  

Does the Distinction Even Matter?

Ok. So, I have had the opportunity, or maybe privilege is a better word, to have gotten a close-up perspective on the careers of many writers with different skill levels. Each of them with a unique approach to storytelling, each having different goals and taking different paths to reach (or fail to reach) those goals.

Over the years, I have witnessed the evolution of the fiction landscape and the ups and downs of being an author beholden to fans, editors, publishers, and more.

I have also witnessed authors in it strictly for the audience excel and fail, and authors who have written only for themselves also excel and fail (or never get a single book to market in the first place). But there is one striking difference between these two types of authors that I will reveal to you a little later on.

But for now, I want to make it clear that, yes—this matters.

This discussion lies at the heart of every author's creative journey, and it's a topic that I'm sure resonates with many of you.

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, at least understanding this dynamic will be crucial to your career's future direction. It can shape the way you approach your craft and ultimately influence the stories you tell.

For the seasoned author out there, this article may serve as a reflective piece, encouraging you to reassess your own motivations and the connection you wish to forge with your readers.

Writing for Yourself

Writing is, at its core, an intimate journey of self-expression. It's a means to channel your thoughts, emotions, and experiences into a medium that transcends time and space.

For me, it is a means to get closure, heal trauma, discover things about myself, and explore my relationships with other humans. Or just a means to understand other humans.

When you write for yourself, you set yourself on a path that's deeply personal and meaningful for you. It gives you a deeper sense of purpose, making the act of writing something to strive toward, not just something to get you to an end result.

Related Posts >>> Why Write? Finding Meaning Through Fiction and Getting Motivation to Write

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Here are some compelling reasons why writing for yourself is a practice worth embracing:

Internal Motivation

As I mentioned, writing for yourself gives the act of writing meaning separate from the final book.

This makes writing for personal satisfaction a powerful motivator. It means that your creative drive comes from within, and your passion for storytelling is the engine that keeps you going, even when faced with obstacles.

Which, btw, you are guaranteed to face.

As an editor, I've seen firsthand how authors who write for themselves are often more resilient when confronted with rejection or writer's block…or the dreaded developmental editorial notes that can send some writers off the self-doubt/self-destruction ledge.

This is the key difference between the two types of authors I mentioned above.

The ones you write for themselves are less likely to doubt themselves, they are more likely to continue when asked to make refinements, and they are also less likely to accept changes that they feel will damage their work's meaning and purpose.

Related Posts >>> 5 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Working With a Fiction Editor

I have recently started hitting the gym pretty hard, and the same thing is told to new gym rats on their fitness journeys. If your purpose for hitting the weights is to achieve some physique that you are imagining in your head, you are going to be far more likely to fail than if you go for an internal reason.

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Maybe working out is your "me time" to think. Maybe you are going to feel better or be healthy. These internal reasons will keep you going in the long run because you reap the benefits right away.

Those who have to wait for something to come are more likely to give up when it takes a long time or doesn't come in the form they'd imagined.

Personal Growth and Improvement

Your writing journey will be an ever-evolving process, and by writing for yourself, you'll find that you're constantly pushing your boundaries.

It's a path that will lead to self-discovery, where you can learn more about your strengths, weaknesses, and the topics/characters that resonate with you. This self-awareness is invaluable for your personal growth as a writer and, I'd say, as a human.

Authenticity and Connection

Writing from a place of personal passion often leads to more authentic storytelling. Readers have an uncanny ability to sense when an author is genuinely invested in their work…imagine that.

By writing for yourself, you're more likely to produce work that resonates deeply with readers. Your authenticity will shine through, creating a powerful connection between you and your audience.

This is one of the most profound outcomes of writing for a personal purpose—you will establish a genuine and lasting connection with your readers. When you can write from the heart, your stories resonate on a deeper level of emotion, fostering a bond that goes far beyond the surface.

Readers will appreciate your honesty and learn to trust you. You will be more likely to tap into universal emotions and experiences that readers can relate to.

Heck, if you experienced it, chances are someone else has too.

Related post >>> Finished Writing Your Book? Not Yet. Why Your Story Needs Readers to Come Alive

This shared connection evokes empathy and a sense of belonging. You are going to attract like-minded readers who can connect with your unique perspective and share your values and interests. These readers are far more likely to become loyal fans who eagerly await your next book.

Writing about things you legitimately love or are passionate about will automatically create a better story every time.

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Catharsis and Healing

There is a reason you don't see any book written by me in the bookstore. I mean, I'm working on it (when I'm not working on other things), but that is because I write for another reason.

I write to discover things about myself, change and grow, and become a better person. I write to heal from the past and to deal with my emotions in a constructive way.

Writing a fiction novel can be a form of catharsis.

It allows you to process your own experiences, emotions, and struggles. Many authors find solace in their work, and in sharing their personal stories, they can help others navigate similar challenges.

How Writing for Yourself Can Improve Your Craft

Writing is not just an art form, but it is also a skill that must be honed and refined over time.

When you write for yourself and no one else, you open the door to a ton of opportunities for personal growth and professional growth too.

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Fearless Exploration

I have already touched on this a little. But writing for yourself liberates you from the fear of judgment that comes with a focus on market demands.

Writing for yourself encourages experimentation.

You're free to explore new genres, styles, and themes without the constraints of market trends or reader expectations. This creative freedom can lead to breakthroughs in your writing and open doors to uncharted territories in storytelling.

You open yourself up to creating something truly unique and creative. With the freedom to write for yourself, you're more likely to take risks in your storytelling.

Risk-taking often leads to innovation and breakthroughs in the industry.

You can push the boundaries of traditional storytelling and introduce fresh elements that captivate your readers and set you apart from the pack.

I will also quickly mention that there is a lot of fear in the industry at the moment of saying the wrong thing or writing the wrong characters into the wrong situations. But when you write for yourself because you love something, you can be fearless in the topics you broach, and if readers hate it, you might not care so much.

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Unique Authorial Voice

Writing for yourself allows you to uncover and refine your unique voice as an author.

This voice distinguishes you from other writers and creates a signature style that readers recognize and connect with. It's a voice that is born from your individuality and experiences.

When you are not concerned with who is listening, you tend to express yourself genuinely and without reservation. It's like when you are singing along to a song in the car and think no one can see you.

I have witnessed the transformative power of writing for yourself. It's the books written for that purpose that make me ugly cry, make me dwell on them for months and months after reading, and make me want to beg that author to allow me to work with them again.

But I also understand that writing just for yourself is ignoring a key part of the puzzle—the sales part.

Writing for an Audience

Writing for your audience is a deliberate approach that takes into consideration the expectations, preferences, and needs of a specific group of readers. While it may differ from writing primarily for personal satisfaction, it comes with its own set of advantages and merits.

In particular, when authors aim to connect with a broader readership and achieve specific goals, they can get a larger following of readers more quickly than someone writing to a niche of one.

What are some key aspects of writing primarily to serve an audience?

Identifying Your Target Audience

Before you can write for a specific person, you should probably already have that person in mind. This involves defining your demographic, interests, and characteristics of the group before you ever start putting words on paper.

You will want to know:

• Reader Demographics - Consider factors such as age, location, and education level. These details can help you tailor your writing to better resonate with specific segments of the population.

• Interests and Preferences - Understand the interests, preferences, and reading habits of your target audience. This knowledge allows you to craft content that appeals directly to their tastes.

• Needs and Problems - Recognize the needs, challenges, and problems your audience faces. Your writing can provide solutions, insights, and support, making your work more valuable to them.

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Market Trends and Audience Preferences

Another part of the equation you will need to consider is how well you are willing to serve the current industry market trends.

Writing for the reader requires that you understand what is currently popular with your audience and what it is they expect from you.

Here are some things to consider:

• Genre and Style Trends - Staying informed about popular genres, writing styles, and storytelling techniques that are in demand. Adapting your work to fit within these trends can enhance its marketability.

• Reader Expectations - Acknowledge the expectations for your target audience regarding plot development, character arcs, pacing, and other storytelling elements. Meeting these expectations may result in a more satisfying reader experience.

• Commercial Viability - Writing for an audience often goes hand-in-hand with commercial success. Authors who cater to specific market demands may be more likely to achieve financial success through book sales and wider recognition. Often because of the commercial viability of the book that large publishers are looking for.

The alignment with market trends and audience preferences can lead to recognition and financial rewards, making it a compelling choice for many writers.

Striking a Balance

While the debate of whether to write primarily for yourself or for a specific audience is ongoing, we can recognize that these approaches need not be mutually exclusive.

It's probably best if they aren't. One may help you achieve financial success (possibly), but the other will motivate you to keep going and produce more meaningful work.

So what is a writer to do?

Find a comfortable middle ground, of course. Somewhere that combines the level of personal satisfaction you are looking for with market demand to help find success.

Where that is will be different for everyone, but here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each approach so you can get a better idea of what you want for yourself.

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Writing for Yourself

Pros

• Fosters personal fulfillment and better creativity

• Encourages authenticity and originality

• Builds a strong authorial voice

• Cultivates a deeper connection with like-minded readers

• Driven by internal motivation (the best kind of motivation)

Cons

• It may not always align with what is commercially popular

• Could limit potential readership

• Risk of ignoring market trends and preferences

• Depending on who you are and your views, you could risk offending or coming off as insensitive

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Writing for an Audience

Pros

• Increased potential for commercial success

• Higher chances of appealing to a broader audience

• Alignment with market trends and reader expectations

• Opportunities for greater recognition and financial rewards

Cons

• Risk of sacrificing personal creativity and voice

• May result in formulaic or predictable writing

• Potential for feeling disconnected from your work

• May result in a shallow/impersonal connection with readers

Balancing personal satisfaction with market demand is a delicate art that most people probably haven't nailed yet. But here are some key strategies to help you navigate this fine line:

Know Your Core Motivation

Identify what truly drives you as a writer.

Is it joy or self-expression, personal growth, and creativity? Or are you seeking wider recognition and commercial success? Understanding your core motivation will guide your path forward so long as you don't lose sight of it.

Set Clear Goals

Define your writing goals. Determine whether you're aiming to write for personal satisfaction, commercial success, or a combination of both, then create long and short-term goals that will get you there.

Make sure these goals are aligned with your motivation and values.

Having clear objectives will help you make informed decisions about your writing direction.

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Adapt and Evolve

Be open to adaptation. The industry changes all the time, but so do you and the things you value.

Your approach may evolve over time as you gain more experience and insight into your own writing. Be willing to let go of goals that do not serve you and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Seek Feedback

Engage with beta readers, editors, and critique partners who can provide valuable insights. Maybe you find that focusing too much on one goal or another has a different effect on readers than expected.

Their feedback can help you refine your work to better align with your goals or change directions.

Balance Projects

No one said that you had to pick an approach and only do that one thing forever.

Consider having personal projects and others that are aimed at a specific audience. This can allow you to nurture your more creative side while also pursuing commercial opportunities, allowing for growth in both areas.

Final Words

How you answer the question posed by this article is really up to you. I have found, in my career watching others in the industry, that writers tend to start writing for themselves and then struggle when they begin narrowing their audience once the manuscript is complete.

This can cause a lot of self-doubt and sometimes straight-up trauma. A lot of writers will stop even trying at this point—never to write again.

Some will then learn from their mistakes and write more, either accepting that maybe their work isn't for everyone or researching the market and writing commercially viable work from the outset.

What I'm sure of is that the choice between writing primarily for yourself or for a specific audience is a pivotal one in your career.

It's a choice that not only shapes the stories you tell but also the experiences you create for readers and for yourself.

Each approach carries its own set of merits and challenges, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But the beauty of writing is that you really get to choose for yourself.

No one is sitting there demanding you do anything one way or another. You have the freedom to find the perfect balance that suits your goals and aspirations.

What matters most is finding a writing strategy that resonates with you, one that keeps you motivated and passionate about your craft.

So get out there and keep writing until you find it.

What are the most important qualities of a good fiction writer?

I have watched a lot of authors grow over the years. Some find success, some don't; some write great fiction; others not so much.

So what separates a great writer from an average one? It is something innate inside them? Do they possess qualities that most others do not?

The answer is yes, yes they do. But the good news is that anyone can work to build these traits in themselves, so you too can possess the qualities of a great fiction writer.

Next: Qualities of Great Writers