  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Just an Ordinary Boo!  
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Why do we write? If it is to be read - what does your image of your reader look like? |
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I read a Newletter by another editor that asked the question ‘How do you envision your readers?’(I apologise for poaching the idea Leger~  , but I couldn’t let it get addled unused!  ) It made me stop and think? How did I envision them? Why, as mirror images of myself!  That was why I often wondered why some reviewer could not see my story the same way I did! It made me stop and think about my potential target audience - for whom did I write?
When I first started writing it was for myself, to get my innermost thoughts, those words that burgeoned and flowed out of my fingertips, onto record. Later I wanted people to read it and even to appreciate it; I had begun to write for the reader. I have now gone one step further, I think of publishing, that fine tunes the writing even more ...
I recently was asked to write a story for children, in the age group 9-12 years, it really proved to be a daunting task. I write a lot of stories about young children, stories appreciated by adults; but to write about them in a way, as to interest their own peer group was a challenge.
I first copy-pasted the whole series, and then went over it for points that might appeal to children. I toned down the language without ‘dumbing it down’ too much or making it so simple it bored. I created a fictitious grand-daughter to whom I related these stories and used her interjections and comments to add contrast between the ‘now’ of the potential reader and the ‘then’ of the stories.
I tried to imagine myself as a rebellious child (there I go again, trying to make the reader mirror me!).  ) I pictured what bored me or interested me in a story at nine years of age ( I went for the lower end of the age group because I was a voracious reader, reading Erle Stanley Gardner and P. G. Wodehouse by that age. But I also loved kid-fiction, the staple being Enid Blyton’s prolific writes.).
It’s been tough, but I am getting there, I hope I can have it finished by the deadline for submission. But, even if it isn’t, it is an enjoyable exercise and has taught me to finish my stories with a ‘target audience’ in mind.
Like everything about writing, there are two sides to this viewpoint about writing for an audience – and both are valid, even simultaneously.  What cures can kill and vice versa. Use what works for you - very very carefully!! 
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In order to stimulate writing with the reader in mind I will just highlight a few of the site's stimulating contests. Some are oldies, all are 'goldies'!
In no particular order:
Sadly this one will be over by the time the NL comes out, but what a unique set of judges!
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#1563217 by Not Available. |
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& might I just plug this one too?
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I have no previous feedback to report but may I leave you with a difficult question? Be honest here - do you welcome reviews with suggestions for improvement of your writing? More active voice, less adverbs, more description, more dialogue, not real enough, too graphic etc. etc. Or would you rather they just corrected a couple of typos and the odd punctuation mistake, with a generic pat on the back? Then you can get back to your writing? 
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Short Stories: June 03, 2009 Issue [#3083]
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