Getting to Know Your Ideal Reader
One of my favorite parts about fiction book coaching is the opportunity to discuss a client’s vision for their novel. Where do they see it, long-term? What bookshelf will it live on? Who will be its neighbors? Allen Levi’s Theo of Golden? Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent? Maybe it will rest alongside Tana French’s Cal Hooper series (the newest book came out, so it’s on my mind).
Yes, first and foremost, the book must be written, but it’s also important to envision its future, and who it’s for.
Ugh, you might be thinking. She’s referring to comp titles. And yes, I am. Comp titles are novels that are comparable to your own, whether by genre, style, or theme, and are ideally published within the last three years. They’re important to consider, particularly if you plan to publish traditionally. You’ll need to reference them in your query letter when the time comes to pitch an agent.
Why your ideal reader matters
But even before we go down that path, it’s important to know comparable titles because it means you’re reading widely in the genre you’re writing in, and it means you understand who your ideal reader is.
An ideal reader is your biggest fan, someone who will love your book (not just your mom). Having a clear sense of who they are helps keep your writing focused and your vision grounded.
You might be thinking, I don’t want to narrow my focus. My book can appeal to anyone! Just look at the Harry Potter series!
And yes, while a YA romance might also appeal to adults, they’re not your primary audience. Your target audience is teenagers. Even more specifically, what kind of YA romance are you writing? Is it a gay love story between two girls? Then, your ideal reader is likely a teenage girl who identifies as gay. Is it also a sports story? Excellent. We can niche down even more.
Now, I’m picturing a spunky 15-year-old who plays basketball and craves more books that normalize being gay in high school.
Does she live in a small town but dreams of the city? Great! Now your story has someone even more specific to reach.
Or, maybe you’re writing an adult fantasy series, full of dragons and magic. Your novel isn’t for all adults; it’s for readers who already love fantasy.
But what else do they enjoy and identify with? Do they crave romance? Redemption arcs? Escapism from their corporate job? What message will they take from your story, and who most needs to hear it?
Answering these questions gets to the heart of your ideal reader and the heart of your story.
While it might feel strange to niche down so much, it actually takes the pressure off. You don’t have to write a novel that appeals to everyone. You write the novel you want to write and trust that it will land with the right reader.
Your ideal reader as muse
I find it helpful to think of the ideal reader as a muse. When I feel stuck, uninspired, or ready to throw in the towel, I think of them. They’re waiting for this book. They’re the reason I keep going.
In Jennie Nash’s Blueprint for a Novel, one of the steps is to envision your ideal reader. The more specific you get, the better. I love this step when I’m teaching a class on the Blueprint. It’s fun to hear descriptive details of their ideal readers, who become characters themselves.
Give it a try! Get out some paper and a pen, or your laptop, and begin brainstorming. Answer the following:
What is their name?
How old are they?
Where do they live?
What is their occupation? Are they a student?
What matters to them? What are they passionate about?
What scares them?
What does your book offer that they need?
What are three other books your ideal reader loves, and why?
What will your Ideal Reader say after reading your novel?
Next, turn your brainstorming into a character sketch. Describe them with your book in hand, just after they’ve finished it. Unlike a scene, this doesn’t need plot or conflict. Instead, you’re focusing on description only. But don’t stop at physical details. Describe their setting. Their hopes. Their inner life. Show us what changed for them because they read your book. Make it clear why they needed to read your book and how it enriched their life.
Because that’s what good fiction does. It helps us see something true.
I’ll end with this quote by Jenny Lawson, also known as The Bloggess:
“Someone out there right now is going to write someone else’s favorite book of all time and is currently wondering if the story in their head is worth telling.”
Yes. Your story is absolutely worth telling.
Your ideal reader is out there.
Don’t leave them waiting.
