At What Point in the Writing Process Do You Consider Your Target Audience?

[queenoftheskies]

Some people will probably tell me not to worry about it. I am, of course, still an aspiring writer.

I need to be concerned with writing for myself at this point.

Yes, but...

I've had a couple of interesting experiences with critiques now that I've finally put something out at QnI and OWW.

I have people critiquing me that don't know what I'm talking about. That's kind of discouraging me because it makes me feel like I've failed my reader.

I try to write without info dumping. I assume that my reader will understand some things without being told. But, at what point should I actually stop and research to see if my target audience will really understand?

Or, if--as in this case--I'm writing speculative fiction with some ethnic and pop culture aspects and people critiquing me maybe write mainstream, how much do I need to explain? And, should I worry about whether or not people reading speculative fiction would understand what I'm talking about or not?

Lots of people on my FL write SF, Fantasy, and Horror. Some are artists as well.

If I had a young adult male wanting to break into art, would you understand that it's a difficult task, as is breaking into the writing world? Would worries over talent and inability to attend art school, and the fact that many people failed be explanation enough for you? Or would you need me to explain further?

If I used the terms anime and managa would I need to define them for you? If so, how detailed would the explanation need to be?

Here's why I ask. I fear that, in my writing, maybe I'm taking too many things for granted and that I expect others to know what they are and how they work just because I do.

So, when you write and mention what you consider to be everyday things in passing, do you stop to think that your target audience might not understand what you're talking about?

Or, am I particularly stupid?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I'm having a particularly THICK day today, I guess. But, I'm eager to learn. Does that count?

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

Oh, THANK YOU. I would appreciate that VERY much!!!