Monday, March 20, 2017

Words to Write by Wednesday: Control Your Readers Experience!

Contrary to popular communication, your job is not simply to ‘get ‘er done!’ Nothing could be further from the truth. YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR READER’S EXPERIENCE!

Sorry, didn’t mean to shout, but I had to. Some of the things I’ve read were written for - I don’t know who - even 5th graders would expect more. It has been said that American literacy scores hover around 8th grade levels for most adults, but this is not what you should focus on. Don’t get me wrong, focusing on your audience is indeed critical to your storytelling, but what is even more important is having a story worth reading.

Your job is to engage your readers and thrill them, inform them, teach them, scare them, inspire them, persuade them. Your job is to make them feel ‘some kind of way.’ When your reader picks up your book, they consider you the expert on the subject. At the very least, they consider you credible.

So, nows your chance. You’ve won ½ the battle - you’re in the door, on their tablet or in their bag. We told you previously to picture what your reader looks like - here’s where it comes in handy! Now that you’ve identified your reader - write for them. Take them on the ride of their lives. Inspire them to do something they never thought they could. Teach them something so valuable it propels them to the next level. Scare them so bad they ask “Stephen who?” Convince them that when they’re done reading your book they can climb every mountain or start that business or fall in love or solve the murder.

You are in control of your reader’s experience - respect that!



via Tumblr http://ift.tt/2mjkk3n

No comments: