Thinking About the Reader

Ok, in my last post I said I don't think much about the reader while I'm writing, but it's not true. I'm actually learning to think more about the reader with each novel I write. Many of the decisions I make while I'm writing are influenced by:

• whether I think the reader will be confused by what I've just written
• what information I think the reader needs to know in a scene
• leaving space for the reader to react and think about an event, without slamming them over the head with what the main character is thinking
• questions the reader might have about what is happening and when to answer them

I don't always consciously think about the reader, but whether I'm aware of it or not, the reader's reaction does come into play.

I've read somewhere (many places!) that it's a good idea to have an ideal reader in mind when writing your book. I do have one or two of those, including myself--I have to write the kind of book I'd like to read.