INVENT AN AUDIENCE

As soon as all these preparations are complete and the real story telling begins, we need an audience; initially one specific person to whom we can convey our thoughts. Without this externalised third party, our writing can become a private conversation with our characters. Our reader may feel like a late arrival at a party, bewildered and excluded. Increasing introspection can also cause us to lose sight of our ideas – as if they have disappeared into a black hole. This particular manifestation of so-called ‘writer’s block’ can be reversed by focusing our thoughts outwards again.

• Take a few minutes to write about a recent event in your life.
• Now write ‘Dear . . .’ and describe the same event in a letter to a friend.
• What differences did you notice?

Who would you like to be the recipient of your story? Will it be someone you know, or someone you invent? What do you need from them?

If your story is intended for a specific market, say a particular women’s magazine, visualise one representative of that audience. Use a guided journey, left-hand writing, webs, 10x10, etc. to become fully acquainted with this person, then deliver your story just to them.

If your priority at this stage is to tell your story clearly, invent (or remember) your listener as one of those irritating people who asks a question after every few sentences.

If style and quality are your main concern, invent someone who is not easily satisfied, who expects the best from you and wants you to get it just right. Remember – whoever you choose, they are there for your benefit. Select the audience which you will find most stimulating and enabling – or the one which is most challenging, if that is what you feel you need.

• Try different listeners at different stages in the story’s development.
• Invite your listener to contribute to the story.
• Tarot cards, family photographs, china ducks, your pets – anything, can be your audience.
• Switch roles and be the audience. Have your say from this seat too.

Checklist

Inventing an audience enables you to:

• focus
• direct your ideas outwards
• consider your readers’ needs
• tell your story clearly
• gain a new perspective.