Focusing on Your Reader – Janet Eriksson

Imagine speaking to a room filled with people. Now imagine sitting across the table from one person, enjoying a conversation over coffee. Which one feels easier?

If you said the one-on-one conversation feels easier, you’re not alone. Many people would prefer that. Especially if you have something important to share that you think will help that person.

In a crowded room, you have no idea how, or even if your message is landing with everyone. But when you talk to just one person, you can tailor your message to them.

That’s a helpful analogy to keep in mind as you sit down to write your book, blog, stories. It’s easiest when you focus on just one reader.

When starting a new book, most writers don’t struggle with a lack of ideas. Instead, they feel overwhelmed because they have too many ideas. They care deeply and want to share everything they know about a topic for the benefit of their readers.

That’s a great problem to have, but it feels daunting. For good reason. When a writer puts too much information into one book, it’s too much for readers to follow and too complicated and overwhelming to organize and write. Most often, the initial manuscript pages end up sitting incomplete and abandoned in a computer file.

If this struggle feels familiar, here’s a way to help you focus on what your book actually needs.

Category: Focusing on Your Reader

The Power of Writing for One Reader

One Journey at a Time: How to Know What Belongs in Your Book