IWSG: Give Them What They NEED!
IWSG: Give Them What They NEED!
Our IWSG question for August 3 is — When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original, or do you try to give readers what they want?
First off, trying to give a collective group of readers what they think they want is the first way to dry up your creative well. Trying to second guess their wants, desires, and demands is next to impossible. “More of the same” can become a death knell to creativity. This is timely to me because I was just reading through the reviews for a new book from a very popular paranormal series author. Readers were having an absolute fit because the writer had DARED step outside the formula. They demanded she produce exactly the same storyline, give them a carbon copy of the earlier series books. They—very loudly and obnoxiously—were ordering her to stay within the parameters THEY wanted for her creative property. Not just a few, mind you, but thousands! What a nightmare to be a prisoner of your own popularity.
Writing, for me, has always been about the story of the heart: Characters you can’t stop thinking about, scenes and bits of dialog that haunt your dreams and bedevil your waking hours. You can't WAIT to get back to telling their story. THEIR story. Not the readers’ story. Of course we want readers to love and obsess about our plots and characters. OUR plots and characters. And there is nothing wrong with writing the stories/series they’re begging for. But letting anyone other than your muse dictate the direction of your passion isn’t fiction, it’s work for hire.
I laugh because one of my first fan letters was from a woman who demanded my next book feature a blond Norse hero and a heroine with long flowing red hair. She went on to describe exactly how she wanted to see her fantasy played out on my pages. Considering I was writing about the American West, it just wasn’t going to happen.
Readers don’t always KNOW what they want or what they’re going to absolutely fall in love with. Some of my favorite Keepers are books that I never thought would interest me . . . until I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Formula writing can put creativity inside a restrictive cage that says, “You can’t do that!” After 70-some books, my reply to that is, “Watch me!” Because surprise keeps things fun and fresh for both writer and reader. It doesn’t have to be a complete makeover every time, but it has to provide something exciting and fresh . . . for both writer and reader.
How about you? Do you prefer to know what you’re getting or to be surprised? Can’t wait to scroll through your answers.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG will be Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Click Here →
To join the IWSG Blog Hop and view the List of Hop Participants!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | AmazonGoodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group
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Our IWSG question for August 3 is — When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original, or do you try to give readers what they want?
First off, trying to give a collective group of readers what they think they want is the first way to dry up your creative well. Trying to second guess their wants, desires, and demands is next to impossible. “More of the same” can become a death knell to creativity. This is timely to me because I was just reading through the reviews for a new book from a very popular paranormal series author. Readers were having an absolute fit because the writer had DARED step outside the formula. They demanded she produce exactly the same storyline, give them a carbon copy of the earlier series books. They—very loudly and obnoxiously—were ordering her to stay within the parameters THEY wanted for her creative property. Not just a few, mind you, but thousands! What a nightmare to be a prisoner of your own popularity.
Writing, for me, has always been about the story of the heart: Characters you can’t stop thinking about, scenes and bits of dialog that haunt your dreams and bedevil your waking hours. You can't WAIT to get back to telling their story. THEIR story. Not the readers’ story. Of course we want readers to love and obsess about our plots and characters. OUR plots and characters. And there is nothing wrong with writing the stories/series they’re begging for. But letting anyone other than your muse dictate the direction of your passion isn’t fiction, it’s work for hire.
I laugh because one of my first fan letters was from a woman who demanded my next book feature a blond Norse hero and a heroine with long flowing red hair. She went on to describe exactly how she wanted to see her fantasy played out on my pages. Considering I was writing about the American West, it just wasn’t going to happen.
Readers don’t always KNOW what they want or what they’re going to absolutely fall in love with. Some of my favorite Keepers are books that I never thought would interest me . . . until I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Formula writing can put creativity inside a restrictive cage that says, “You can’t do that!” After 70-some books, my reply to that is, “Watch me!” Because surprise keeps things fun and fresh for both writer and reader. It doesn’t have to be a complete makeover every time, but it has to provide something exciting and fresh . . . for both writer and reader.
How about you? Do you prefer to know what you’re getting or to be surprised? Can’t wait to scroll through your answers.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG will be Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Click Here →
To join the IWSG Blog Hop and view the List of Hop Participants!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads | AmazonGoodreads “Nancy Gideon by Moonlight” group
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://nancygideon.blogspot.com//pla...
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