People may not stop to think about their interests, but they have them. What they want will determine whether they will read your story or spend their time doing something else.
Four words, all beginning with the letter E, are useful in recognizing what your readers want—education, entertainment, encouragement, and escape. How much focus should be placed upon areas depends upon the genre and the audience. Although acedemia is looking for useful information, not a book of jokes, a little humor mixed in can make history a delightful read.
Education
A university professor can write a book and make it required reading for students. At any time, we might read a book because we feel we have no choice. But apart for commitments at school, work, or church, we educate ourselves on whatever we think will justify our time.
To help people with something they need to know.
- Present a problem and show how it is solved.
- Reveal a danger and what can be done.
- Show an easier, cheaper way to do something.
Entertainment
Annual revenue in the entertainment industry is in the trillions of dollars. While sitting on the couch, watching the Super Bowl, people feel the thrill of scoring the touchdown, even though they’re a thousand miles away. For some, that entertainment is so valuable, they might spend an insand amount of money to join the stadium crowd.
Look for ways to make your stories entertaining.
- Make people laugh, and they’ll want another prescription for the wonderful medicine to soothe their pain.
- Give readers the exciting pleasure of enjoying your main character’s victory.
- Let your story be an exciting game of adventure and discovery.
Encouragement
With much adversity in life, so many things that could go wrong, and so many talented competitors who could do better, we need to hear someone say, “You can do it,” in such a reassuring way that we know we can.
Make your stories help readers know their strengths, count their blessings, and see where success could be within their grasp.
- Create scenes that allow readers to believe, I can achieve my dream.
- Show how the prize justifies the pain.
- Give hope that what we hadn’t planned will work out for good.
Escape
Surveys have claimed that some 85 percent of the world full-time workers are unhappy with their jobs. Over 60 percent say they are unhappy in their relationships. Trapped, seeing no way out, they eagerly look forward to any opportunity to escape the daily grind.
Whether fantasy or fact, your stories can provide wonderful relief.
- Let readers feel the the joy of victory as they rise above the kinds of problems and haunt them in real life.
- Introduce readers to a world where impossibilities can be a reality.
- Reward readers with peace in their world of turmoil.
Romance novels need some mystery and suspense. Suspense readers appreciate a little romance. Humor needs an element of truth, or it isn’t that funny.
Write your stories with some of all four interests—education, entertainment, encouragement, and escape—and people will say, “I’m glad I read that.”
