“The Bridge Between Worlds”
Dear writer, I hope you had a good week as you took a look at ways to honor your God-given design! This week, we’re going to explore another foundational key to the writing process. That key is your readers.
You see, writer, our readers are often as unique as we are. They have specific needs and strengths and weaknesses, and when we take the time to understand those God wants our story to reach, that knowledge can help guide us through the writing, editing, and publishing process as we make key decisions.
But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others, whose efforts to understand and honor those they served amplified the impact of their life and work.
Understanding Your Readers in History
Amy Carmichael is a wonderful example of a woman who understood those the Lord sent her to reach. A missionary with a heart to reach all of India, Amy began her work by adopting Indian dress and dying her skin dark brown in order to slip into Hindu temples and rescue the young girls enslaved there. As the number of rescued children quickly swelled, Amy appointed Indian women to positions of authority within her ministry, training them as leaders to multiply her efforts. Through Amy’s work, over a thousand children were rescued from physical and spiritual torment and death, and her influence helped turn the tide against the practice of temple prostitution.
You see, writer, when we understand who God has designed us to reach, we can—like Amy—meet them where they are to take them places they have never been and to experience the truth in a way they never have before.
Understanding Your Readers in the Bible
The Apostle Paul is another wonderful example of someone who understood and honored those he was called to reach. Whether teaching or writing letters, Paul took time to develop rich relationships and a deep understanding of those he served. The results of that dedication can be seen in his epistles, as Paul addressed each church with targeted words and tone to help them understand the message they needed to hear.
You see, writer, when we understand our readers, we can take emphasize and highlight those aspects of our story they most need to hear in using methods and means tailored specially for them.
Understanding Your Readers in Life
I first grew an understanding of my readers during the process of writing my first novel. When I began, my hope had been to reach young readers, but as I went along—and especially as I began the editing phase—I realized that part of my heart was to reach those who claimed not to be readers at all, but who needed the encouragement of the themes of love and relationship that God had given me to share. In my effort to reach them, I kept my prose economical and flowing, so that it read like watching a movie.
As a result of my efforts, my books have enjoyed a wide demographic of readers, who have encountered truths that helped them in their own journey. Readers young and old, those who love to read—and yes—even “non-readers.”
Understanding You Readers in Your Life
You see, writer, understanding our readers is really a form of love. It’s simply shaping our words and world in a way that we know it will intersect with theirs to help them not just have an enjoyable read but an encounter with the truth. Let me show you…
- How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” – Romans 10:14-15
- So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8
- For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them…– 1 Corinthians 9:19
- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 29:19-20
You see, writer, when we take time to understand our readers, we can carry the light and love of Christ into areas of their unreached hurts, pains, and questions with truths that sets them free. And as you craft your message—whether fiction or non-fiction—to hit the mark, you plant bits of the good news of God’s Kingdom in all who encounter your words.
Where to Start with Understanding Your Readers
So are you ready to consider who your readers are and how to reach them? Here are some ideas to get you started!
- Who Needs Your Story? Prayerfully consider who truly needs to hear your story. What kind of person is it designed to reach? Whose life will be dramatically changed when they read it? Begin to outline who that person or people may be.
- What Is Your Reader’s Life Like? Once you’ve considered who needs your story, take a close look at what their live are really like. What’s their age? Marital status? Education level? Line of work? Lifestyle? Family dynamics? Write down as many aspects of their lives as you can. Some writers find it helpful to create a “persona” or reader profile that keeps their ideal reader and their needs in mind.
- Reach Out. Once you’ve written down a profile of your reader, prayerfully review your friends and acquaintances. Is there anyone who matches your target reader? If there is, consider having a conversation with them to gain firsthand insights about their lives, needs, and reading habits. Once you’ve finished your first draft or two, consider sending them a copy of your work to see if your message connects with them like you hoped.
- Do a Little Research. Another great way to learn about your readers is to do some internet research. Discovering and exploring the voices, sources, and platforms they seek out for information or growth can be very enlightening and give key insight to begin developing connections with them and growing relationships. Because here’s the thing writer…
Writing is an inherently relational experience as we, whether we realize it or not, gain entrance into the world of another and then beckon them to enter ours in hopes that they will come understand something of their world more deeply and more truly by their experience in ours. You see, writer, understanding our readers is really about a merging or worlds that cause us to understand truth in a way we never have before.
Just like Amy entered into India’s culture in a way that captured the hearts of its people, in order to change those hearts forever with the truth of the Gospel. Just like Paul took time to understand the peculiar needs and mindset of each church, so that he could apply God’s timeless truths in the context of these new believers real and present needs. Just like my efforts to streamline my words, gave my work a timeless feel that opened the door wide for people of all varieties to encounter truth. And here’s the real deal, writer…
When we understand our readers, we can impact not just their hearts, but their world, and all the things that touch them as their lives ripple outward to impact people and places far beyond anything we ever imagined.
So I encourage you today, writer, as you begin writing your book in earnest, to prayerfully consider who your readers are and how your work will reach and change them. As you discover those pathways into their hearts and lives, you never know what doors God will open through that loving investment and who or what may be impacted as you do.
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