Writing for Yourself

One of the most difficult aspects of being a published author is remembering my audience and yet also writing to please myself. I always want to put out books that people enjoy reading, but if I think too much about that, then my brain seizes up and I can’t write a word.

That can’t be good.

So I am writing this blog post as a reminder to myself as I dig back into At Fault (SF 3) that the first draft is just for me. I can fill it full of mistakes and outrageous plot twists. I can write the most ridiculous comedy scenes, the most gratuitous love scenes, or the most violent criminal perspectives I want. I can even have Vincent shirtless for the entire novel if I want.

Hmmm…that idea might have merit.

To shirt or not to shirt?

No matter what, the first draft is for my eyes only. But the rewrites are for the readers. That’s when I’ll make sure everything is balanced and paced correctly. I’ll get rid of the corny scenes and tone down the romance so it has just the right about of tension and longing. I may even let Vincent put his shirt back on.

Or maybe not.

We’ll see.

But I think it’s important to remember why writers started writing in the first place. It’s because we love to read, and we wanted to write something that made us happy. And the way I see it, I’m not so different in my reading tastes than everyone else. I like action, humor, and romance just as much as the next reader. So I figure if I write to please myself and then edit it to make sure its intelligible, someone else may like it too.

So off I got back to Mercer, Georgia, with Julia and Vincent, who may or may not be wearing a shirt.

6 thoughts on “Writing for Yourself

  1. Um… not to shirt! If I get a vote that would be it.

    Also, this is a REALLY good reminder. I’ve spent way too many hours frozen in fear in front of my computer screen. IT ENDS NOW.

    But really, ditch the shirt.

  2. Yay! It’s so easy for us people-pleasing perfectionists to get locked up. Book 2 was harder than book 1 for me. And I started feeling it again on this one. I decided enough was enough!

  3. I’d like you to know that last night I wrote an entire scene in which characters argue the Han vs. Greedo shot first / Special Edition vs. Theatrical Release of Star Wars BECAUSE I COULD.

    Thank you, that is all.

  4. Another vote for no shirt! We want (shirtless) Vincent! Keep Vincent shirtless!

    This whole thing is why NaNoWriMo is so wonderful for me. The deadline means I can’t think about what’s saleable, or what people might want to read. I have to just jump in and write. If I’m blocked and can’t figure out what’s happening in a scene, I write completely gratuitous dialogue. I know it’ll get cut later, but it usually leads me back to where I need to be and it loosens me up.

    Hmmm… it might be time to include a fun conversation between Richard and Georgie. They haven’t had enough face time together.

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