I Don’t Think About What People Want to Read

How do you write what people actually want to read?

Honestly?

I don’t always know.

And perhaps that’s the secret.

If I sat down every morning trying to work out exactly what people wanted to hear from me, I’d probably end up writing something terribly polished, terribly sensible…

…and completely lifeless.

Instead, I start with something that makes me curious.

A question.

A memory.

Something somebody said.

Something I’ve noticed.

Sometimes it’s funny.

Sometimes it’s uncomfortable.

Sometimes it’s absolutely ridiculous.

And sometimes I have no idea where it’s going until I start writing.

I think people can tell when you’re writing something because you genuinely have something to say.

And they can also tell when you’re writing because you’ve decided the algorithm would probably like seventeen paragraphs about “five ways to unlock your authentic potential.”

Good heavens.

I don’t want to write things simply because I think they’ll perform well.

I’d rather write something that makes one person stop for a moment.

Maybe they laugh.

Maybe they disagree.

Maybe they recognise themselves in it.

Maybe they remember something they’d forgotten.

Maybe they close the page and carry one little thought with them for the rest of the day.

That’s enough for me.

Of course, I pay attention.

I’m not completely oblivious.

I notice which things make people respond.

I notice which conversations continue.

I notice when somebody comes back to something I wrote weeks later and adds their own experience.

But I don’t think that’s the same thing as writing for the reaction.

There’s a difference between listening to your audience and chasing your audience.

One helps you understand people.

The other can turn you into somebody constantly asking:

“What do you want me to be today?”

And I’d rather not live like that.

So perhaps my answer is this:

Write something you would want to read.

Write honestly.

Write clearly.

Don’t waste people’s time.

Don’t pretend to know something you don’t.

And occasionally, for goodness’ sake, make them laugh.

Because people don’t necessarily want another perfectly constructed piece of content.

Sometimes they just want to feel like someone sat down and talked to them.

And if I can make somebody feel that way?

Well…

Perhaps I’ve written something worth reading.

Stay Fabulous,
Luce 💋