Writers Lab: Audience

Good Saturday evening/Sunday morning, everyone. I’ve almost let this week slip away from me, as I’ve had my head down in Charlottesville so deeply. I had prepared a Writers Lab on “Description,” as I’m writing a ton of description right now, along with studying how other writers (books, film, songs) “do that.”

But I’m captured by some comments in the Lab earlier this week from Lab Coat Peggy, about the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Peggy commented on a Writers Lab post from February, “What Is Your Canon?” — a Lab post that is open to all —, that you can read and comment on. Come join the conversation, and while you’re at it, tell us about your canon books, if you haven’t already.

I think what Peggy’s asking about, or commenting on, boils down to Audience. And with that in mind, I’m wondering, for those of you in the Writers Lab (and for everyone, really): who are you writing for? Let’s have a lively discussion on this post, in comments on this post, about what you are writing, or want to write, and who you are writing for. I’ll open the comments on this post to everyone. Chat will remain for Lab Coats only. See details below in THE ASSIGNMENT.

In short: Let’s think about Audience this week. In Peggy’s post she brought up questions about plot credibility and how hard it would be to do some of the tasks that 13-year-old Brian tackles when he is the only survivor of a plane crash in a remote area and must make his way with only a hatchet as his survival tool. She also says: “… I’m glad to have been introduced to the book. I would have loved it as a kid!!”

This got me thinking about what a diverse bunch we are, here at Storybelly. I love that. Some of us are writing for young readers (and there are genres within genres there); some of us are writing for adult readers (also many genres); some of us are song writers and singers; some of us are teachers, librarians, fellow writers, beginning writers, poets, memoirists, list scribblers, cake bakers, and candlestick makers, so to speak.

And all of us are readers. Readers and storytellers.

We read all kinds of books, and we have our favorites. I’m not big on reading fantasy, for instance, or science fiction — I know I am missing out. I’m a huge audiobook fan (Libby forever!). I’m really picky about the young adult books I read, and I am now writing for young adults. Charlottesville is a young adult novel, which is a book for readers who are (roughly) age 14 and up. High schoolers. Young adults.

Hatchet is what we call a middle-grade novel, for readers who are roughly the ages of 8 to 12. So it has particular considerations… to consider. :>

Kent State was my first young adult novel, after a scattering of picturebooks for youngest readers and 7 or so novels for a younger audience, which is where I think my sweet spot as a writer for young people lies, although, after decades of reading all the middle-grade fiction I could get my hands on, I don’t read so much middle-grade fiction anymore — this is a story for another day.

I was an essayist, an oral historian, a magazine feature writer, a magazine editor, and a writing teacher, before I was a published author. Each chapter of my writing life has challenged me to meet a new audience — readers! That elusive prize, eh? Readers to understand, respect, and write for.

While writing “rules” or “dos and don’ts” or whatever, are somewhat universal, in order to attract our intended audiences, there are particulars to keep in mind — for all genres. Peggy wrote, re Hatchet, and books for young readers:

I think my interest in having the discussion is that I would like to know what tools you use to write for young adults - literary, grammatical, etc. I don’t necessarily think I would write one but I am just interested in how your mind works, how you settle yourself down in a certain direction.

So, I put the question to all y’all who read books for young readers and/or who write them: what tools DO we use? What considerations are in place? When writing picture books, middle-grade novels, non-fiction for young readers, poetry for young readers, and young adult books, what makes them differ from writing that same novel or adventure story for adults? We know it is different… but how? How do you settle yourself down in a certain direction?

So: Officially for this week, here is:

THE ASSIGNMENT:

This week’s assignment is a bit different, and a bit truncated from my usual verbiage. :> I’d like to hear from YOU this week!

Use the comments section on this post to tell us A) what you are writing or want to write; and B) who is your intended audience? Let’s hear from you, please! Let’s get to know one another, support one another, cheer ourselves on.

Join the Writers Lab discussion about Hatchet (and writing for young people) here. I am already deep into conversation there. Join me. All are welcome.

Those of you writing for young readers: What tools do you use specifically when writing for younger audiences? How is writing for young people different than writing for adult readers?

Remember that all Lab Coats can participate in Chat, and start their own threads there.

Some things to think about:

In your own writing or reading, think about how you might present the same story for adults that you present to young readers, and vice versa. What are the changes you would make? Here’s just one of many examples:

Also think about different ways we present the same story by different writers. When I published Kent State in 2020, so did Derf Backderf. We wrote about those same 4 days in May 1970. I wrote a YA novel in verse with many different voices. Derf wrote a graphic novel:

For different audiences, with crossover, and of course with different voices.

What stays the same when you write for a particular audience? And what changes?

And one more to think about, a similar survival story, one for middle-grade readers and one for adult readers… studying each one might give you clues to what kinds of changes are needed for each audience.

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We are almost ready to being scheduling the summer individual conversations and critiques that O Pioneers! have paid for with their founder’s support for Storybelly. Ops Guru Zach will be reaching out to you… or you can now begin reaching out to us, to let us know you are ready (when you are ready :>). More on how that’s going to work soon. I’m really looking forward to these this summer. Thank you, Pioneers! You have helped make Storybelly possible.

Every subscriber at every level keeps me going. I appreciate you all — and your stories! — so much.

Speaking of SUMMER, we’re changing up the Digest and Lab for summer, more on that soon as well. You’ve probably already noticed that we’re playing with publishing dates and post lengths as we enter the hot (and maybe languid) season of vacations and catching up and (not so languid) deadlines.

As for this household, we leave tomorrow for Nashville and a few days with family there. I hope to visit The Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson’s home in Nashville, while I’m there. I’ll take you with me. From Monticello to the Hermitage, the third president to the seventh, is quite the stretch politically and philosophically… let’s see what it brings me with Charlottesville.

***

That’s the Lab for this week — a softer landing, eh? We need a little softness in summer, I think. I know I do. I look up from the page, blinking. Where am I? How did all that time skid by? Where was I? Either that, or I’m just slogging. Lost for words. Maybe you’ve been there?

I’m sending good writing vibes this week, and — as Brenda Ueland wrote, Strength to Your Sword Arm!

xo Debbie