How do you write what people actually want to read?
When I was in highschool, I remember answering a question with a well researched answer during a debate. I remember, those responding laughed in identifiable waves. It took awhile for some to understand and respond and there were some who didn’t get it all. It was at that point, I started to understand that not everybody is going to appreciate what you have to say. For others it will take time.
I don’t write what people want to read. Sometimes what I write is difficult to read. I enjoy including subtle points that the occasional reader will back up and say I understand what you were saying there. I tried to do that without hitting the reader over the head.
On most days, I try to have fun with the title. Hopefully that draws the reader in or sends them scurrying to the exits.
I’m not a great writer. I enjoy writing.. but I don’t enjoy typing. I do love to tell a story. But then again, I am contradicting myself.
I do write short stories and there is a certain element of one element. Do I need in this story that will help me get published. That’s not my initial objective when I start a story..
Many readers like to have everything wrapped up in a pretty bow with no loose ends. That is not my style. I love loose and having the reader come to their own conclusion.
And I do use a conventional format and process as the first draft is usually all over the place and raw. That’s the fun part. My edits after that are cleaning up my craziness.
I do use the read aloud function in word as it helps me pick up mistakes and nuance as a how it sounds to the reader.
Daily writing prompts are just that. I apologize as they generally have some typos as because the writing is right off the top of my head. In my opinion that’s what prompts are all about. Certainly a clean draft is easier to read and will be better received.
Radiohead
First impressions are overrated. It took me a long time to get Radiohead. I had The Bends CD on my bedside dresser when I first moved to Oregon. It would play the first two songs until I woke up and turned it off.
When you were here before
Couldn’t look you in the eye
You’re just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You’re so fu@ling special
But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo.
For some, those lyrics may be familiar as the song Creep by Radiohead.
It was a song that catapulted them to the main stream. The band hated the song and refused to play it in concert and many years later started playing it again.
The signature phrase most closely associated with composer and radio host Peter Schickele is “If it sounds good, it is good”.
On the CD (Radiohead) that was sitting on my bedside table. Two of my favorite songs are on that CD, which are not in the first few songs that I heard upon waking up.
I came to appreciate them years later. It takes a while for certain things to sink him.
I would love to hear you opinion as well