Who Am I Writing For?

Yesterday, at the library, I picked up a book about writing. I do that all the time. It helps to keep my hand in on what's what and how-to. I practice writing like Tiger practices his gold swing or Pink practices her scales. So, yesterday I read about writing. I made notes while I was at it.

I even checked out three books on the subject.

From the questions in one of the volumes, I realized that my focus on writing was skewed. I've been sweating out what I was going to write. Of the many ideas that constantly swirl in my head, which one am I going to write about? How do I choose just one to concentrate on (at least long enough to write about it)? Will I be able to write it so well that my audience will understand? Which editor am I going to query about which idea? Will I even be able to query the editor?

Foolish thoughts.

I write. I write well. I write so that my reader will not misunderstand. I write concisely, succinctly; I write the truth (perspective) as I see it. I write so my readers will see what I'm saying.

What's the foolishness in that?

The foolishness is worrying about the "what." That will take care of itself if I remember the WHO. Who is going to read this article? Who is my reader? Is she (or he) my age or older or younger? Does she still have children at home or is she an empty nester or a never-chose-to? Is she well-traveled or does she dream someday of traveling? Who is my reader?

I've written nine essay-type articles in the last twelve issues of a bi-monthly newsletter. In the last two issues, I've gained even more space by writing a column as well as the essay. That's two years of writing.

Some of my readers have faces and names I know; Norma and Jane-ellen and Dan and Kerry. However, most of my readers are faceless to me. Yet, I know these readers. I know their thoughts; I know what they want to read about. I don't need to go to absurd lengths to get my point across. I don't need to explain the terms I use. I write in their jargon, to their hearts as well as their minds.

The who will determine the what in greater measure than my writing the article first, and then figuring out where to place it. Yes, since I can write well, I know how to bring any piece of prose to the table. However, if I don't pay attention to my readers, those articles - the very ideas - won't fit their (or the editors') interests.

So now, instead of sweating out the what, which I will write well (between experience and research), I can now concentrate on the who. And the WHO is much more interesting!