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Thursday 13 December 2012

Who is your 'ideal reader'?



I've talked about Stephen King's book, 'On Writing' a few times recently, but I thought this point was worth mentioning.

He says:

'I think that every novelist has a single ideal reader; that at various points during the composition of a story, the writer is thinking, 'I wonder what he/she will think when he/she reads this part?''

Stephen King's ideal reader is his wife. This made me think 'Who is mine?' (and luckily for my husband it isn't him!)

Whilst considering this question during a pilates class the other day (trying to remove a few pounds so I can put then back on again at Christmas), I pictured my ideal reader for The Grandson: A woman who has a passion for Italy. She goes on holiday there/ lives there/ has lived there or wants to go there. This woman may also have an interest in the themes I mentioned in a recent post: Do you have anything to say?. Of course The Grandson isn't only directed at my ideal reader. This reader is the person I've been subconsciously aiming to please as I wrote it. 

If I had to name a specific person, I'd say my ideal reader is my late mother.

Who is your ideal reader?

It's less than two weeks until Christmas. I still have cards to write, presents to sort out and did I mention that we're hosting for eighteen this year? I've defrosted the freezer, located our Michael Bublé Christmas CD and I'm really looking forward to spending time with family. Hope your preparations for Christmas are going well.

Christmas scenes (post from last year)

19 comments:

  1. Interesting question Anita. Someone once said to me (can't remember who)or I read somewhere that your ideal reader should be the most intelligent person you know. Just a thought...

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    1. Good point Helen-I could see how that would be worth thinking about! Thanks for visiting and hope you have a great Christmas.x

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  2. Yes it is interesting Anita Im just wondering do you not write something that you yourself would like to read? Because if you don't enjoy reading your own work how can you expect someone else to? As Ive said before I can't wait to read your book, I've never been to Italy but Im sure I will want to go after reading The Grandson. You're cooking for 18 ? Wow!

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    1. Hi Anne, I agree. I aim to write what I'd want to read as well as for the 'ideal reader'. Thanks so much for your support re this blog and The Grandson. Yes, I do hope the turkey I've ordered will be big enough! Hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas.x

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  3. Firstly -- you're hosting for 18? Eek! Mind you, it's lovely having lots of people around at Christmas.

    As for the ideal reader, that's an interesting question. I've never thought about there being ONE ideal reader... I'm constantly wondering what anyone might think when they read my fiction!

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    1. Hi Stacey, yes it's a lot of people, but it will be great when the day arrives-just need to be organised!

      Hope your writing is going well-can't believe how many words you wrote for NaNoWriMo!-such an achievement.
      x

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    2. ps, hope you have a great Christmas Stacey!x

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  4. Interesting, Anita! Mine is probably a combination of some of my friends and my daughter!

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    1. Hi Rosemary, thanks for visiting. Hope you have a good Christmas.x

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  5. I've imagined a reader for my WIP ... she's somewhere between 30+, she's intelligent, sensitive and curious, and probably has children, and grand children if she's older ... she reads a lot and is quite discerning. I don't write for anybody I know, as I think it would stifle me :0

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    1. It sounds as though you've really thought about your reader Louise. Thanks for visiting and hope you have a great Christmas.x

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  6. Interesting question, Anita! My ideal reader is someone who likes a fun and witty tone with a little bit of snark. :)

    Happy Christmas preparations!

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    1. Hi Talli, thanks for visiting. Hope you have a great Christmas! x

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  7. I'm not too sure who my ideal reader would be, but If I get stuck with my writing I imagine I'm telling the story to my friend Andrea. She's incredibly intelligent, funny and sharp, however she's never read anything I've written!

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    1. I like that idea Debs-the comments on this post are interesting to read! Hope you have a great Christmas.x

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  8. Anita - there's a blog of the year award for you over on mine, if you wish to accept!

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    1. Thank you very much Rosemary!-will go and have a look.

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  9. My ideal reader may be the 16-year-old me. LOL.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Kelly. Hope you have a good Christmas!

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