Take your pick: Self-centered or selfless? Do you write for yourself or your audience? Why not both?
William Zinsser, the author of On Writing Well, makes a surprising statement: “you are writing for yourself.”
Notable authors, including Jeff Goins and Stephen King, argue that the author must write for him or herself, while other authors and experts recommend considering the audience. Zinsser paints an overarching paradox in which writers balance writing for themself while captivating their readers. Writing is just that, a balancing act where the writer simultaneously writes for him or herself and the reader.
Write for your Audience
The University of North Carolina’s Writing Center states, “Whether you’ve thought about it consciously or not, you always write to an audience.” You could be appealing to a friend, a stranger, or yourself, but in all scenarios, an audience exists. Therefore, your audience is always relevant.
Your audience is especially relevant within published work. If you intend to engage others, it is important to produce work that people desire to experience and share. Without a reader, a written piece cannot come to life; its essence will not be felt. The existence of your reader makes your writing valuable. As your work is read, its purpose is fulfilled.
It is impossible to know who your reader is. Zinsser writes, “every reader is a different person.” Today, amongst the Internet’s interconnection, this statement rings true. Medium’s Humanlytics team writes that the Internet is “a vast, interconnected network that dips into nearly every country in the world. When writing, you need to make sure that your text reflects that.” You don’t know who will access your work. Even when posting a personal piece publicly, ensure that your writing can be widely understood. Assume that your audience is global.
Though important to “think carefully about not losing the reader,” Zinsser also shares that writers should “be carefree about his opinion.” Enter the “write for yourself” angle.
Write for Yourself
Zinsser continues, stating “on the larger issue of whether the reader likes you… don’t give him a moment’s worry. You are who you are, he is who he is, and either you’ll get along or you won’t.” There’s no need to obsess over appealing to the reader to the point that writing becomes walking on eggshells or tiptoeing around topics. Ryan Fan’s Medium article reads, “if your writing feels forced… the chances are that readers are also going to find it forced.” Writing for yourself reduces self-censorship. Instead of worrying about criticism, redirect your energy and allow yourself to simply write.
Write comfortably. Be passionate and expressive, sharing thoughts and opinions freely. Your excitement is felt by the reader. It gets them excited as well. “If you don’t find yourself moved by your own writing, in writing it or in re-reading it, chances are that your readers aren’t going to find themselves moved very much either,” says Fan. Additionally, Kurt Vonnegut recommends finding a subject you care about. “It is this genuine caring, not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.”
Let’s not forget that writing is an art. In her article, Writer K.M. Wieland explains that writing for yourself keeps the art pure. She states, “When you’re writing the story of your heart, you’re going to be tapping your true vision. The closer you are to your own desires and instincts for a project, the purer the art will be.” Removing art from writing results in bland work. The style and art of your writing will inspire your audience and compel your reader to continue reading. Writing from a personal, relatable position maintains the art aspect of your work.
Write for your Audience and Yourself
So how do we “strike the balance between wanting to please readers and not caring too much?” According to Lindsey Lazarte, writing “shouldn’t lean too much in one direction or the other… Although it’s not necessarily wrong to do one or the other, we should still be cognizant of how much of our writing leans a certain way.” I agree. Consider yourself as much as you consider your audience. Don’t lose your voice in seeking to please your reader. However, don’t lose your reader in seeking to please yourself.
A final thought from Wieland — “Writing solely for ourselves or solely for readers will never allow us to reach our full potential as writers. Learn to embrace both sides of this all-important writing mindset, and your storytelling abilities (and enjoyment in them) will skyrocket.”
Sola's Thoughts 