However, for me, my reader is much more then a teenager who enjoys fantasy and suspense during his or her spare time between science fairs. It wasn't until I took James Patterson's MasterClass and read several of his bestselling suspense novels that I realized I have been wrong about my reader all along. Not wrong about the previous qualities, but wrong about what was important when forming my story.
My reader might be those things listed above, but something I neglected to consider was how they read. This might not be an important factor for writers or readers who have always found an escape through books. I am not one of those people. What? A writer who doesn't love reading? Impossible.
Yes, it is impossible. I do love reading...now. As a perfectionist child trying to over analyze everything I read while studying to get straight As in elementary and through high school, I hated reading. In fact, I didn't read for enjoyment until after college. I liked many of the books I read for school, but I couldn't fathom reading for fun.
I loved good stories. I loved the idea of reading. But when homework, chores, and sports took priority it was hard enough to get that work done. I envied the kids who could sit and read. I struggled to just do all the reading for my assignments. Not because I had a reading comprehension issue, but because I am and probably will always be a very slow reader. I absorb every word and want to feel every emotion. I also have a bad habit of checking facts I think the writer got wrong.
I finally found my love for reading, like many, thanks to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. She was also my inspiration to start writing, but that was almost ten years ago. It wasn't until the last month I realized who my reader is. Me. Someone who loves the magic of a good story, but dreads being left behind when the story is overshadowed with too much prose and imagery.
The amazing storyteller, Stephen King, confirmed my observation in his non-fiction book On Writing. He tells his own journey of becoming a writer and offers a toolbox to those wishing to write. One of his beliefs is that every writer has an Ideal Reader, the person you think about when writing and want to be the first to read your story. You think about how they will react to certain situations and you are eager to know what they think about the major twists and climax.
The Ideal Reader is the first person you ask to read your story because you want to know their responses and to know what questions they may have. For me, I can't be my own Ideal Reader because my editor is too close to the story. I need someone else that loves a good story, but needs a pace that doesn't leave them bored. I need to know their tastes so they keep devouring the whole book right up until the dessert. I've read too many books that offer a delicious appetizer, but a weak entree that makes me consider leaving the table.
There isn't one Ideal Reader for everyone. Every writer has to identify for him or herself their Ideal Reader. I've now identified my Ideal Reader and can't wait to finish my book so she can have a taste.
Who is your Ideal Reader? Good luck and keep writing.
