Sending a Letter vs. Diary to Your Ideal Reader

Ideal Reader

Who is your ideal reader?

Who came first? The writer or the reader? An age-old question that authors and readers alike may squabble over. Have you ever read a book that you felt was written just for you? A book that you read at the right time, in the right place, written by someone from a different time and strange place?

So as an author, who is your reader? What is their name? What do they struggle with in their lives? Are they avid readers or casual? Are they young or old? Knowing your reader is the first step in writing a truly successful book.

John Cheever was quoted as saying, “I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss—you can’t do it alone.”

Too often, writers are stuck in their own head. Everyone likely struggles with this from time-to-time but writers especially. There are so many ideas, anecdotes and stories seemingly dying to get out. And that’s why you write. That’s why you create.

At the same time, it’s important to remember this is a two-way street. Writing a book is precisely like a kiss. You need a partner. In your case, it’s the reader.

Diary or Letter?

Too often books lack the influence the writer was hoping to have—the writer treats his book more like a diary than a letter. A diary is a book written by the writer for the writer. It’s written to satisfy the creative itch or cathartic healing that takes hold in the author’s soul and isn’t meant for other’s eyes.

A letter is the exact opposite. A letter has an audience. A letter is written for the reader. It’s written with both parties in mind. In fact, the recipient of a letter is defined long before the contents are written.

Approach your book in the same manner. Start with your reader. Who are you sending it to? Why should they care? What will keep your book from being set aside, tossed in the wastebasket or never even read?

Many books fail to have impact, to have reach, because the writer gets the order wrong. They do the equivalent of writing a letter, sealing it in an envelope and then figuring out who to send it to afterwards. In fact, many writers don’t even get that far. They simply write the letter and figure it will find it’s way into the right mailboxes at the right time.

The term “starving artist” is more than just a term used by parents hoping to dissuade their children from getting an art degree. It’s more of an observation of the reality that most artists are far too concerned with their art, and not with those who will consume it.

Focusing on your reader first provides structure and clarity for your writing. The contents of your letter is directly influenced by its recipient. Two weight loss books likely have similar content— eat less than you burn. But one written for middle school kids hoping not to get bullied and one written for post-pregnancy women will obviously be different.

Knowing your reader also proves invaluable in actually ensuring your book winds up in their hands. The more specific you are on your reader the better chance you’ll get their address right.

There was a time when writing a letter was the easy part. It was delivering the letter that was tricky. From sending ravens in the show “Game of Thrones” to the early horseback mailmen—many messages were lost. Many important letters were never delivered. The

same holds true for many books.

Inspiration

Your reader is your fuel. By knowing your reader—sometimes better than they know themselves—you are able to push through the static and speak directly to their soul.

Neil Gaiman summed up an author’s relationship to their reader quite well when he said, “Because somewhere out there is someone who needs that story. Someone who will grow up with a different landscape, who without that story will be a different person. And who with that story may have hope, or wisdom, or kindness, or comfort. And that is why we write.”

Somewhere out there someone needs your story. They need your wisdom. They’re searching for the hope that your book will provide. It really is that important. That realization carries a tremendous amount of weight.

As Susan Lendroth so eloquently declared, “To write is human, to receive a letter: Divine!”

It would be tragic if your book never made it to it’s destination.

Happy Writing!