Who is Your Audience?

[Chiara]

Seeing as I'm new to the concept of Publishing (and I think of it that way, with a capital "P") I have a question for some of you who have been at this for some time:

What does "Who is your audience?" mean, exactly? Is this the same as, "What is your demographic?" If so, wouldn't you want to make your story as broadly appealing to as many people as possible?


I've always written for myself, which is good for me but confusing for anyone who reads my stories. Some of my writings, when read out of the context of my life, are so peppered with exotic words or experiences that I almost dispair when attempting to "translate" them for the mainstream public. It's almost worse than writing a fantasy book, because not only are the semantics foreign, but the very mindset of the characters are, as well. Even though Frodo was a hobbit in the wilds of Middle Earth, he still posessed a very English soul.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does it mean I'm a failure as a writer if I cannot find a large enough audience to lure a publisher to print what I've written? I know that if I find Universal Truths, etc, I may have a chance -- but how can you hook the interest of someone who would rather read a romance based in Toledo, Ohio instead of Tashkent, Uzbekistan?


Perplexed,

Chiara

[AngelAzariah]

_____They just want to know who is most likly to read your work. Teens, children, pre-schoolers, thirty year old children. grandparents, retired people, drug addicits, neerds, gay people, church going people, fat people, skinny people who wish they where fat again, Oprah fans, wrestling fans, nascar fans, astronats on the naze moon base, super heros, my mom, your mom, devorced people, lord of the rings fans, trekies, or some other form of person(s).
_____My work is for fantacy readers from teen to grandparent.

[writegirl1949]

Chiara:

This may sound like a trite answer, but it's the only one that has worked for me. I've got to follow God's leading. There are lots of things I could be writing -- and times I wish I were writing other things. But, for me, if I'm not on the same page where God wants me, then I struggle and suffer. I know this is really sounding very "cliche," but it's the best way I can put it.

It has taken a while to determine my "audience," which is primarily hurting Christians, new Christians, or those struggling in their Christian walk -- and I try my best to minister to them on my blog. The other audience is more open -- probably mostly non-Christians but my goal is to show realistic Christianity and God's truth (always).

Hope this has helped.

Blessings, Francine

[David Meigs]

My answer is easy, but not exactly transferable to your situation. I wrote my book as a message for my kids after I died. Only thing, God healed me instead. My state of mind at the time spurred me to write of the things that matter most (while I could). Therefore, it is applicable to the whole body of Christ, and especially to the youth.

My scribblings are filled with demons, angels, pirates and even a giant. It is not about any of that. My story is about how things REALLY work in the invisible realm, and it's link to the physical world. I love it when a teen emails me and tells me that they are now praying for that “special someone” God has for them, or they realize why they need to forgive.

[Chiara]

In your writing, I bet folks pick up the message and don’t get lost by the words.

Really? *hopeful look*

I try not to use unfamiliar words, but sometimes it's just how people talk, you know? In the African story I posted here, the farmers have adopted so much Afrikaans, Shona and Ndebele into their everyday speech that I really had to reduce it so the reader wouldn't go, "wha...?" Looking over it, though, it still seems a bit much. At least for an introduction.

I think I'll just gradually introduce words and phrases so it won't distract. Good plan?



Chiara

[BrotherDave]

Anybody who applauds.

[Chiara]

Anybody who applauds

Eh? Oh, I see. :) You were answering the question in the heading, not the body of the post. Gotcha.

Well, I *do* have a small audience that would certainly applaud my foray into commercial writing; question is, is it commercial enough? My guess is, "No" -- but I've been wrong before.

Perhaps self publishing would be the way to go for now; I'm not doing this for money, after all, so....

[David Meigs]

In your writing, I bet folks pick up the message and don’t get lost by the words.

Really? *hopeful look*

I try not to use unfamiliar words, but sometimes it's just how people talk, you know? In the African story I posted here, the farmers have adopted so much Afrikaans, Shona and Ndebele into their everyday speech that I really had to reduce it so the reader wouldn't go, "wha...?" Looking over it, though, it still seems a bit much. At least for an introduction.

I think I'll just gradually introduce words and phrases so it won't distract. Good plan?



Chiara :eek: Sorry about that. Evidently I completely fouled up my earlier post. I cut and paste my comments from word into my messages here at CW. I do it again and again, sharing the same word doc to cut and paste my scribblings. The part you quoted was part of an abandoned critique I had been considering (not on your stuff). I’ve got to pay more attention. Oops, and again I offer my apologies.

:eek:

[Chiara]

No worries. ;)

[ellenjames]

My audience is different with different kinds of writing.
When I write children's stories, obviously my audience would be children! Since I work at school, I'm with children a lot. Last year I assited in the Kindergarten room, this year I will be assisting the Pre-K teacher. I don't remember when I developed an interest in writing children's stories, but association with them certainly gives one their conversation styles, and ideas that appeal to children.
When I write devotional articles, they are directed to adults.
When I write poems, they are for the poetic personalities in my audience!

Maybe that answer is too simplistic! :D
Ellenjames