A writer can never be self indulgent whether writing fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. If one writes only to please one's self, the likelihood of publication becomes remote. Editors and agents will become aware of such an author quickly and dismiss such writing with a brief rejection slip. Although self-gratification is always a part of one's writing, it should not be the most significant motive for writing. The reader, and not the writer, is and should be the most important reason for publication.
For writing to be significant it must be honest and thoughtful. If the author is frank and pensive, it is sure to connect with the reader because it has the reader in mind at all times. This is true of novels, short stories, essays, articles, as well as poetry. Poets seem to acquire this empathy with their readers more than do other writers although some poets write only for self-gratification and catharsis and not for publication, but if such is the case then that writing is an avocation and not a vocation. All forms of writing must connect with the reader if one is to seek publication.
Of course, writing as a career is the main premise of this article. If one writes only to satisfy his or her urge to express ideas or to clarify ones thinking with no thought of publication, then the only reader will be the author, or a most chosen individual with whom to share. The career writer cannot and should not think only of his or her reason for writing; the reader must then be the major consideration.
If the professional author writes for the sake of self-gratification or catharsis and not for the respect and dignity of the reader, the work will be vacuous and inane. That thoughtlessness and self-centeredness will disillusion the reader and dismissal will soon follow. Unlike the poet, other writers must be logical, clear, and helpful in some way-emotional, entertaining, informational, or educational-and in a style that the reader can easily understand.
Once a writer becomes self-indulgent, he becomes a prisoner of the mundane and the tiresome. If a writer writes only to please him or her self, the reader will soon realize that and will reject that author's work for someone who is more relevant to his or her condition and state. Because the writing is ordinary and mind numbing, it sentences the author to rejection and rebuff.
Although self-indulgence is possible, it is not desirable. Any writer, to be successful, must refrain from self-satisfaction and view the work with objectivity and ruthlessness, editing and rewriting with the reader solely in mind. This is the mark of a professional writer.
Charles O. Goulet has a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. He has several historical novels published that are available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores.
Charles O. Goulet
RR 1
Evansburg, AB
T0E 0T0
go1c@telusplanet.net
When my first book "Starting Your Own Business" was published... Read More
Freelance editing opportunities are out there, you just need to... Read More
Word processors are so widely used now that I tend... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Whichever theme you choose, all the elements,... Read More
Do you know what a query letter is? If so,... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
Using a ghostwriter to craft your free reprint articles and... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
The journey to having my first novel for children published... Read More
Complaint letters aren't always fun, but sometimes they need to... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
My bookcase take up one whole wall in the family... Read More
No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More
With the advent of email communications in the workplace, it's... Read More
1. What Is A Premise?A premise is the point you... Read More
Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how... Read More
In the ten years that I've taught people how to... Read More
Effective screenwriting relies on the good understanding and use of... Read More
ACCEPT, EXCEPT Not commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who... Read More
Concision. (Sounds like I made up another word.) It's the... Read More
Don't they drive you nuts?You can visit all the rules... Read More
Maybe you should write a book! This is not as... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
In the current job market, many editorial workers have turned... Read More
You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
On my first newspaper assignment as a critic, I was... Read More
When you run an online agency for freelance writers, editors... Read More
There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More
What is this annoying, insidious angst that permeates my psyche?... Read More
To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
User documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing... Read More
In this article you will find tips on: How to... Read More
Have you ever written a letter to a friend? Ever... Read More
Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Working on my first humorous novel, I started with a... Read More
No matter what you are writing, the first priority is... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
No user manual? Surely you jest!It may seem comical, but... Read More
Poems. Just the mention of them makes me smile. Why?... Read More
Have you heard the term 'ghostwriter' and wondered what they... Read More
When I first started tracking the information preferences of people... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
Charles Dickens was born in Portsea, England, in1812. His father... Read More
Clustering, also called Mind Mapping, is a great way to... Read More
My bookcase take up one whole wall in the family... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
Writing |