Recently, a close writing friend told me he would forgive a writer for a messy plot if there was underlying passion and depth. I agreed. When you pick up your typical mass market paperback, you're presented with a perfectly formulated product. It was written to appeal to a wide audience, easily digestible and mildly entertaining. These books often repeat themselves in endless series to keep readers buying indefinitely. These kinds of books might help pass a few hours on the train, but will they change your life? Probably not. Why? Often, it's because the writer prioritized formula over feeling. They followed the market instead of sharing their soul. They didn't bleed for it. And you can tell. You can feel that the heart of the writer is missing. So how can you make your writing speak to readers on a deeper level? How can you make your stories the ones readers treasure and recommend to everyone they know? Write for yourself, not to pander to every buyer out there. Think about the writers who changed your life. Imagine if they tried to fit themselves in an easily marketable box. If you want to make your book unforgettable, write about the things that most deeply stir you, and you will stir them.
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