Why Would Anyone Want to Read What You Have to Say?
Why being selfish is the only way to write (Update May, 2021)
Writing is an artistic endeavor. That might seem ridiculously apparent to many, still some might argue that it is closer to being a craft, like woodworking. But in the bigger realm of things, it is clearly an art form. You are creating stories from nothing, painting a blank canvas with words. That, to me, is art.
Of course there is the self-doubt and the shaky confidence that comes with being a writer on any level. And with this, as every workshop facilitator will likely tell you, comes this question:
Who are you writing for?
They say you must know your audience and write to that group, those readers. Target them.
But I say forget that.
There is only one way to write. Write for yourself. You are your audience. Write for you alone.
Jennifer duBois, the author of The Spectator and A Partial History of Lost Causes was asked recently in an interview on the website LitHub how a writer deals with the hubris of believing that they have something important to say. “You (the author) are going to read that book so many more times than anyone else ever will.” she answered. “You might as well enjoy yourself.” Hopefully, there will be a lot more readers…
