What is an ideal reader? Stephen King describes this best in his book On Writing. He says “Someone—I can’t remember who, for the life of me—once wrote that all novels are really letters aimed at one person. As it happens, I believe this. I think that every novelist has a single ideal reader; that at various points during the composition of a story, the writer is thinking, “I wonder what he/she will think when he/she reads this part?”
Stephen King’s book On Writing is my writing bible. It is one of the best books about writing you could possibly read. If you haven’t read it, run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy. You MUST have it in your library.
For Stephen King, that ideal reader was his wife, Tabitha. For me, it’s my niece. Code name, Secret Agent 00 purplechocolate. I would have totally picked that name for her. Perfect! Love her!
When I write for her, I think about what she would think about the characters. Would she relate? Would she hate, like, love them? I try to impress her with every word. I listen for her laugh in a line of dialogue and picture her rolling her eyes at a cheesy scene. She helps me try to write the best book I can, and I hope I do her proud. If nobody else in the world loved my book but her, I would be happy.
Last week I asked if I could interview her. As my ideal reader, and avid reader of young adult fiction, I thought we could all learn a little from picking her brain. Since Purplechocolate and I live in different countries and in different time zones, I sent her the questions and she sent back her answers. Here’s her take on books, e-readers, and love triangles.
Me: Tell me a little bit about yourself:
Purplechocolate: I am 16 years old and home schooled. I have two passions, Ballet and books.
Me: What types of books do you gravitate to?
Purplechocolate: I pretty much like anything fantasy, fairies, witches, unicorns, vampires.
Me: Is there anything you’re tired of seeing in books?
Purplechocolate: I am sick of the whole love triangle. It was fun the first time. I thought it was a good way of getting suspense. Then every other book i picked up had one. Now my friends and I just kind of see it as a cop out, a really annoying one.
Me: What would you want to read more of?
Purplechocolate: hmmmm…. some creature besides vampires and zombies. I would say fairies. They never get old.
Me:What makes you pick up a book and read it?
Purplechocolate: I usually read the first few pages to see what the writing looks like. If it looks like something never done before then I will get it. The other way is if it has great dialogue. Nothing is better than witty characters.
Me: Do you prefer books written in first person or third person?
Purplechocolate: I like third person for two reasons. One, I feel like I get to see more of what is going on. In first person you miss a lot of the action or surroundings in less the character is really really observant. the second reason is when I read first person i find myself counting how many “I’s” or “me’s” there are in one page. But that might just be me…
Me: Do you own an e-reader?
Purplechocolate: Yes, but I don’t read on it as often as i read from a “real” book. Because I want to buy the book anyway. I would rather have it on my shelf than an E-reader. I use it the most on road trips or on air planes. Paper backs are better. I can’t share E-books with most of my friends.
Me: Do your friends love reading too?
Purplechocolate: If they didn’t when I met them, they do now. I just had to show them what they would like 🙂
Me: Do any of them own an e-reader?
Purplechocolate: Only one of my friends has an E-reader. She does not buy much on it either though. If one of my friends finds a book that’s out of this world she will pass it around to all who want to read it. Can’t do that with an E-reader. And even if all my friends had nooks you can only share for 2 weeks. Most of us are too busy to read a book in 2 weeks.
Me: What’s the best book you read over the summer?
Purplechocolate: Oooooooh! Hardest question by far. Can I have more than one? I loved Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. But I really really loved Black, Red, and White by Ted Dekker.
Me: If you could be any character in a book, who would it be?
Purplechocolate: Probably Max from Maximum Ride by James Patterson. She’s just awesome.
Me: If your house was attacked by zombies, and you only had one minute to grab a book before escaping out the back door, what book would it be?
Purplechocolate: NO! I don’t know if I can answer this one! I guess e-readers do have a advantage in hostile zombie take overs. *thinking for 20 minutes* I would not leave; I would die along with my books. No book gets left behind!
Me: Thank you to for sharing her thoughts and for being my ideal reader! You rock!
Do you have an ideal reader? If so, who is it?
If you have a question of comment for Purplechocolate, she’d be happy to answer. Just post them in the comments section.
This is so awesome!! Fabulous idea. And Purplechocolate, you ROCK! So happy to hear you love faeries since that’s the fantastical element in my story.
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts! I’m trying to think of who my perfect reader is. Hmmm, I honestly haven’t thought about it. I want everyone to love my story (I know that sounds generic, but wow…you’ve got me thinking).
I can’t say enough how fabulous this is. Hope you both have a wonderful day =)
Courtney, thanks! Purplechocolate is awesome. I would love everyone to love my story as well, but having an ideal reader really does help. She’s like that little voice in the back of my head that says, that sucks aunt Heather, you can do better…or, aunt Heather, you rock! You can defiantly write without an ideal reader in mind, but having one helps keep me focused. Hope you’re having a great day, too!
Excellent interview! I love hearing feedback from teens–especially well-read teens who know what they like and have intelligent reasons for liking it. Very enjoyable and informative post. Thank you both so much!
Thanks, Hope. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Loved this interview! Nice to know what our readers think. Especially one who reads fantasy and faerie stuff like my book. Thanks!
Thanks, Alexia. 🙂
You said it, Heather: Purplechocolate is awesome. Her answers were all great, but this really knocks my socks off: “I usually read the first few pages to see what the writing looks like. If it looks like something NEVER DONE BEFORE then I will get it.” Wow. For me, as a writer, that’s both an exciting and a terrifying sentiment from the next ‘plugged in’ generation of readers. Their expectations are going to be high, so we’d better raise our standards for being unique.
Also, love love S. King’s On Writing. I quote from it, and think about it often–even now, five years after first reading it. My Ideal Reader is my wife, which is awesome. I think in many ways my trilogy is one big, long love-letter to her.
What a fun post. I’ll have to remember the idea when I start blogging, so I can steal it. 😉
Vaughn, I know! NEVER DONE BEFORE is totally scary. Even worse is what she said about love triangles. I’m in trouble with that one. Doh! Maybe she can forgive me as long as it’s not a cop out. You can steal my idea anytime 🙂 When ARE you going to start blogging?
PC is pretty awesome! I really liked her answer about the love triangle as I feel the same way. With my book the main difference would be the two main boy/girl characters aren’t involved with each other…because I too don’t like the obvious. Would PC be interested in being a beta reader? If so – have her email me…my website has info. Nice job!
Devyn, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’ll let PC know you’re looking for betas and check out your website. Thanks!
What great feedback! Thnx purplechocolate!
In all honesty I write for the teenage me. I write for that introverted, daydreaming, shy teenage self that I once was.
Awesome blog, Heather. Thnx for sharing.
I think the teenage you is a great ideal reader! Write the book you most want to read, that’s what I do too, Thanks for stopping by 🙂 PC and I appriciate it.
My ideal reader, for my ya urban fantasy, is my fiancee’s 17 year old sister. She is not easily amused, and I love her quirky, sarcastic take on life. I think one of my best writerly moments was when she started asking questions about my book and watching her face light up with genuine interest. Big sigh of relief because she is also J.K. Rowling’s #1 fan. 🙂
I’m reading The Writer’s Journey and a couple of books by Donald Maas, but S.K.’s book is still my go to. He is the reason I’m a “pantser”. When I second guess myself, or think “I should have written an outline” I remember what he said about discovering the story, comparing it to an archeological dig. It is the most apt comparison I’ve ever come across.
Thanks for having PC on board and happy writing to you!
That was great information. And really helpful to see what a teen reader actually likes. Thanks for posting.
If Purplechocolate loves fairies, I bet she’d like Seanan McGuire’s Toby novels. 🙂
Thanks, Mari! I’ll tell her about them. 😀 Might even check them out myself since I happen to love fairies too 🙂
“Purplechocolate: NO! I don’t know if I can answer this one! I guess e-readers do have a advantage in hostile zombie take overs.”
– Best reason to buy an e-reader I ever heard!
Thanks Heather and Purplechocolate! Glad you were willing to share with us 🙂
Hi Jenn, thanks for stopping by!
Stephen King has been an inspiration to me going all the way back to 1980. His book, “On Writing,” merely added to his long influence.
Excellent article.