Picking your audience

[TheIronRuler]

Hello guild members.

I've been having trouble lately with writing on my own because I haven't truly chosen an audience to write to. I am tri-lingual. I live in a country where English is not used commonly, however I believe I am capable enough to use English as a tool to write with. I haven't picked an audience to turn to yet-
I don't know whether I should write in my native tongue, use the local language or use English. I want my work to be reviewed by professionals, which is why I believe I should use the local language, but there are very few people that speak it (Around 7 million) as opposed to the massive quantities of people that speak English (Not to mention my native tongue which is around 300 million).
My target audience in most of my attempts at professional writing range from adult to young adult, with themes sometimes crossing over to the dark side, but not dwelling there too much.
Whenever I have a splendid idea I am struck by a dilemma- where can I write that idea best? What language should I use to put the idea on paper, in hopes of having the work reviewed or even published?
I ask you for your advice and any insight you have on this problem you might share with me.

[mdk]

Start with genre. Are you writing action-drama? Fantasy? Economic philosophy? That's your PRIMARY audience, I think. People who read magical fantasy can handle Harry Potter even if they're in their thirties, despite that it's a kid's book.

After that, I think you can afford to be pretty general. You don't have to write a best-seller on the first try (which is good, because you won't). Pick a group that interests you and start targeting them with your writing. You'll get better at it over time. If you want to write to young adults just do it, and then show it to some young adults and see how you did.


Now you've got that trilingual thing to worry about, which I only sort of identify with because I'm nowhere near fluent in any of my.... three? Four. Four other languages -- I can speak some but I could never hope to write a damn book in Japanese. So my inclination would be write it in English, and later if you feel so inclined, translate it -- of course that's not necessarily perfect. If I was going to write a Meiji romance, I'd take the time to learn the native better and write it in Japanese. But that would be for a specifically cultural piece.... I think you'll find that the professional writing world is competitive enough, you'll want to take every advantage you can get. I'm sorta assuming you're best at English.


The most important part is always just to write. You can market on the second draft -- get the first draft down on paper before you start stressing out about who's gonna buy it.

[Dudel]

I'd argue that you don't pick your audience, your audience picks you. Stick to your mother tongue when able, and then only move to a different language if you want to widen your supposed audience, or if you like another language better, or what-have-you. Write how you feel comfortable writing. (English is probably your best bet in most cases, considering it's usage worldwide, but I'm still saying you should stick with your own language.)

If you're writing for people on RPGuild, keep that shit simple and to the point. If you are writing for academia keep that shit simple (but sounding somehow educated) and to the point. If you are writing for work, keep that shit simple and to the point, as well as remember to use the proper "lingo" and "jargon" for the field.

Also: The last thing on your mind should be review and publication. Story first, other shit after.

[TheIronRuler]

Thank you.

What troubled me is that choosing a language would limit my audience - if I write in the local tongue I will have access to people which could read and review my work. I will have a much limited amount of people able to read English and and to care about my work at the same time in the vicinity, but I could depend on people from the internet.

I'll go with the local language and see how it goes. Hopefully I will be able to translate all of the words and names I need properly.

[mdk]

I can't commit to huge pieces, but I'm always open to reading and reviewing samples if you need it.

[Dudel]

What troubled me is that choosing a language would limit my audience

So? There is nothing wrong with writing to/for a niche audience. Don't worry so much about being wide reaching. If you do, you are likely to over stretch! (That's worse than being narrow.)

- if I write in the local tongue I will have access to people which could read and review my work. I will have a much limited amount of people able to read English and and to care about my work at the same time in the vicinity, but I could depend on people from the internet.

I'll go with the local language and see how it goes. Hopefully I will be able to translate all of the words and names I need properly.

*stands by his opinions on language*

Of course my mother language is English, and I don't know anything else... but lots of books and publications get translated into English all the time (especially non-fiction).

[StormHaiku]

Like everyone else seems to have said, it should be about subject matter. And what's to stop you from translating, once you're satisfied with what you've written?