How to write what others want to read and still stay authentic
Why some writers get a lot of readers and others don’t.
I just read a banger post by
, which pin points how some writers are able to get a lot of readers (and why others don’t) .She says:
“The key is not being the most interesting person in the room.
The key is figuring out how to take a story and make it interesting to other people.”
As I read it, I immediately thought to myself: This is it.
THIS IS IT.
This is the secret behind every successful writer (if we consider many readers the metric of success).
And the best part is, as Ash continues in her thesis, that “anyone can do that. With any story. You just need to work on finding your angles.”
In other words it means to take your own personal experiences, passion and expertise and turn it into something incredibly valuable for someone else (if we speak about non-fiction). You do that by writing from a place of honesty, realness and to shift the “I” to “We, Us and You”.
Yes, we write for us first, because otherwise we all become the unwanted blocked artists as described by Julie Cameron in “The Artist’s Way”. But we also write for our readers to create a positive impact (perhaps even a transformation) in their life.
Is it selfish to be a writer?
To create art can oftentimes seem like a very selfish wearabout. We write or do art as way to heal ourselves and gain a deeper understanding of the self. Writers like
has discussed the notion of selfishness extensively in several essays, which comes as no surprise when you add motherhood to the mix.But I question if it’s selfish to create, (still recognizing it as a form of self-expression and realization) when it’s in the name of service to others?
It’s like concluding success to be selfish altogether, when in fact your gained status, money or health may just be the cherry on top when generated from being of service.
Of course to write is not the same as to be a doctor saving lives. Though, to read the right idea at the right time can literally save you from a life lived in darkness.
Framed in this way, to write is an essential need for the greater community.
Because how can you (or anyone else) know what will serve as a transformation for someone? You’re just the messenger.
So, what makes some writers get a lot of readers and others not?
It’s the extent to which you succeed to write in a way that invites your reader into your world.
The more inviting you are, the more others will resonate.
And as Ash mentions above, this has nothing to do with what you do, but how you do it. Whether you list all your accomplishments and say “I did this, look at me”, or you invite the reader into a reflection on the experiences gained from the aforementioned achievements. That’s what makes all the difference.
It’s how international bestselling authors like
and Jeff Goins of , or 6-figure Substack writers like able to connect with the everyday reader like you and me.They write about topics, feelings and experiences that are inherently human rather than experiences of the unique few. It invites and allows for resonance among many while simultaneously making each reader feel seen and heard in their own right.
The basis is this: Real people want to read about other real people having real experiences in the real world (especially generalizing for non-fiction but often just as valid in fiction). Real people are people just like you and me who have ups and downs in this beautiful rollercoaster ride called life.
I don’t think it’s an accident that my first viral post was one that exposes my lack of experience on
. The fact of being a newbie here with a relatively small readership so far, makes me relatable despite my previous artistic successes.To conclude, the size of your readership doesn’t make the writing less valuable (or more selfish).
It’s the perspective of service that does.
Thanks for reading!
Elin x
Please let me know if I should make a part 2 of this essay.
And if you found it valuable, don’t forget to like and subscribe so we can continue on this exciting writing journey together ❤️
Yes, please make a part 2. I feel like there's more to be explored about it. I still do feel that my writing here is slightly selfish and I still haven't figured out the writing tone for it so it's in service without sounding like a wellness magazine. 🤔
This was a wonderful post to read- thank you! I found it so interesting what you said about people wanting to read about real people that their lives connect with- emotions, experiences, etc that we all share. This is what I try to do on my Substack but with a slightly different angle: I’m bringing to life the stories of historical people in an attempt to show that they had real and textured lives just like us. You’ve given me much food for thought!