Who Are You Really Writing For (and Why)?

Issue #29 of Your Path to Publication, plus everything I published last week.

Apr 23, 2025

“Art never responds to the wish to make it democratic; it is not for everybody; it is only for those who are willing to undergo the effort needed to understand it.” – Flannery O’Connor

Who are you really writing for?

It’s an uncomfortable question to be sure, but a necessary one to ask. Better understanding your motivations will help you take the appropriate steps toward your goals, whatever they are. Today, we’re exploring some questions and considerations that will help to inform your writing journey and ensure you won’t lose yourself along the way.

In this issue:

Are you intrinsically or extrinsically motivated?
Remarks on how to please your chosen audience.
A way to better understand your characters’ motivations.
A way to better understand your own motivations for writing.
A recap of last week’s short stories, writer’s notes, and newsletters.

Let’s dive in!

This Week’s Observation on Writing

Thoughts and ponderings on writing.

Okay, back to the question that started this whole newsletter: Who are you really writing for?

Some writers harness their intrinsic motivation for success. They want desperately to create something for its own sake because they find it fulfilling in its own way, not for any external rewards, like money, fame, or power. Other writers find that external motivation helps them stick to their goals; they are motivated by building a rabid fanbase, acquiring a publishing deal, or hitting the New York Times bestseller list.

So I’ll ask again… Do you write for yourself and the satisfaction it can bring, or do you write for others and the recognition that comes with it? Or perhaps a combination of both?

(FYI, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It’s just a fun thought exercise.)

This Week’s Writing Quote

Wisdom from prolific writers, authors, and thinkers.

This week’s quote comes from an American novelist, short story writer, and essayist, Flannery O’Connor:

“Art never responds to the wish to make it democratic; it is not for everybody; it is only for those who are willing to undergo the effort needed to understand it.” – Flannery O’Connor

O’Connor makes an excellent point here that I feel is easy to gloss over for an aspiring author. Sometimes we put too much stress on ourselves to get things right, to craft a story that makes everyone happy. But such a thing doesn’t exist, nor should it; there will always be those who won’t like what you create, and that’s perfectly fine (and expected).

Remember, the second you try to please everyone, you please no one.

Time for a Coffee Break

Your support would mean a lot.

Friends, I don’t have any recommendations this week–just a shameless self-plug (because if I never ask, I can’t expect to receive).

Don’t worry, it won’t take long–then we’ll get right back to the good stuff.

Okay, listen. I work a lot. I’d like to work less so I can focus more of my time and energy on what I do here on Substack. You can do me a solid by financially supporting my writing. There are a couple of ways you can do this:

Become a paid subscriber: $50 for the year, which is one fancy coffee per month, gets you access to our weekly writing hours and other exclusive content.
Buy me a Coffee: If you’re not ready to subscribe, this is a great zero-commitment way to show your support.
Hire me as a writing consultant: Every writer benefits from more eyes on their work. I can help you brainstorm ideas, proofread/edit your work, and improve your craft. (Hit me up if you’re interested.)

Anyway, thanks for considering. Advocating for myself is uncomfortable, but it’s necessary.

☕ Buy me a coffee! ☕

Now, let’s get back to why you’re here: the newsletter.

This Week’s Writing Prompt

Get creative and share your writing.

We can apply what we’re considering about motivation to our characters as well; after all, they are people, too, and it helps to think of them as such.

Characters should have a clear want and need… Or, said differently, an extrinsic motivation (the want) and the intrinsic motivation (the need). The character’s want is typically a means to fulfill the need. For example, a treasure hunter might seek out gold, but what he’s really after is the fame, glory, and recognition that comes from such an accomplishment.

Take some time to get to know your characters. Write out their wants and needs, then try to use the former to inform the latter.

This Week’s Reflective Prompt

Reexamine your writing habits and systems.

What motivates you to write?

For example, I’ve found that having this Substack newsletter makes me write even when I don’t feel like it. I don’t want to let down the folks who read it every week, especially those who have committed to a paid subscription. In a way, it’s the ultimate accountability hack, if such a thing even exists.

Said in another way: what does it take for you to keep writing at a consistent, reliable pace?

Here’s the TL;DR

For those who just want quick takeaways.

Here’s a quick breakdown of this week’s newsletter:

Do you write for your audience, or do you write for yourself?
You can never please everyone (and you shouldn’t try to, either).
Take time to explore your characters’ wants and needs to help them feel more real.
Reflect on what motivates you to write and what keeps you writing even when it’s hard.