Writing with the Reader in Mind
Created by Commander Calliope Zahn on 19 Mar 2022 @ 8:37pm
by Nikki
The following are notes used in the presentation of a discussion panel. To fully appreciate the discussion, complete with memes, read the Khitomer supplied transcript of the panel
In simming we can build on our imaginings in cooperation with others. This is an extension of the childhood wonder of backyard off-the-cuff play-acting. It's a happy place. I often go from daily task to daily task with this happy place in my heart. I love it. I hope everyone here today has something of the same joy of sim writing. I'm going to guess you do, since you are even attending an online convention about it today.
About my format today: I have some text prepared to drop on you, but there will be breaks marks by QUESTION prompts where it will be easiest for attendees share! If I can't get through everything I've prepared, we can take it to overflow after.
PART 1 of 4
INTRODUCTION: THE ENGINE OF DESIRE
"Wish fulfillment" in writing is often decried as bad, i.e. the most well known example being the ever discussed trouble with Mary Sues and Marty Stus. I think a lot of very wise digital ink has been spilled about trying to avoid that hazard— BUT there's also *a reason why* these types crop up. We'd god-mode the heck out of our lives if it were an option. We did in fact god-mode the heck out of our imaginary worlds when we played in our sandboxes as kids.
-----QUESTION: Are you guys willing, for the purpose of this panel, to set aside the fear of creating Mary Sues just long enough to explore some other aspects of Wish Fulfillment writing's pros and cons? We'll come back to our writing goals, I promise. What do you think of when we say “wish fulfillment”? Good, bad, ugly....
----Great!
It's important to remember that Wish Fulfillment actually is rooted in a more innocent intent: it's just the Engine of Desire. Please know this child-hearted desire to rule the day doesn't need to die to achieve better storytelling, *rather it should be co-opted* as the Engine of making engaging posts and telling riveting stories. What the Engine of Desire needs is not to be removed from the vehicle— because without it we lose heart, go nowhere in our stories, and engage no one.
Instead, ***what it needs is a good navigational system***. Everyone has an Engine of Desire, a bit of ego that wants to be admired, see stuff explode, and be king of the hill. I know I do.
----me for example: A few of the things that I love in stories- twist endings, arguments, fisticuffs, chase scenes, oddball character team ups, monsters and creatures, weird settings, fairy tale remixes, romance wins the day, underdogs and comeback kids, sacrifice, symbolism and metaphor, wry voice, punchy dialogue, villains and anti heroes in their own words, mystery, unique systems (of magic, faith, society, or technology etc), strong conceptual work (ala twilight zone stuff) and poetic meanderings or well executed dream or nightmare sequences.
Maybe you like some of these and other elements too. Maybe you think about this a lot like I do, or maybe you've never listed them out like that before and will enjoy thinking about what your Engine desires to go after. Take stock of what you enjoy most.
----QUESTION: Be honest, you don't really join writing RPGs in order to have your character file the most reports. Let your inner child out and share what kind of story telling aspects *actually* get you to come back to your keyboard! I'll give us a few minutes to share our Hearts Delights! (just keep it clean)
------Wish Fulfillment's big con:
The downside of wish fulfillment writing is that it doesn't care who else is in the sandbox. I have kids and when they are little the only thing that keeps them from god-moding all their interactive play is that they offend others when they do so. (sound familiar?) Just like the child at play, left to his or her own devices the only real audience is the self.
Often we can share this delight in simming and invite other writers in by engaging with their Engines of Desire as well, setting the scene to share story goals or set up elements for someone else's goals and giving the other player the spotlight. This is a fantastic feature of collaborative play and highly encouraged no matter what your writing goals are personally!
But it still can lack readability for 3rd parties outside of the post.
Writing from our own Wish Fulfillment and that of the other writers can be endlessly engaging for the writer(s) but has limited appeal for readers. Although this can be in any kind of post at all, the easiest example I can point to is: the dinner date post. Most of us have JP'd one or many of these, and all of us have sometimes just skimmed these when we aren't one of the authors. Let's explore.... Why?
---------Because any post where there's just a rambling "tea party" (action/reaction tags) happening, we generally as readers know intuitively that nothing in it will matter to The Reader. The Reader will be getting much less enjoyment out of it than the writers did.
---------If you don't care if anyone will read your posts or not, that's no problem. You had fun writing it and there's no harm done!
BUT if you'd like to invite more reader buy-in to your posts, stick with me. We can even turn our "dinner date" posts around and make them engaging if we are always remembering:
****There is a Reader in the room with us.****
----------QUESTION: Great! You're still with me! I can't do the rest of this panel without you! Have you ever had this experience, either as a writer, composing a post you're not sure anyone else will enjoy, or as a reader, skimming or skipping certain posts that don't grab you? Not every post has to win an Emmy, but do you want to kick it up a notch?
----So in part 1, we learned about the Engine of Desire, its pros and cons, and we are remembering to include the Desires of other writers too. But it still needs a little something more for the Reader to buy-in! Before we get to the key points (in part 3), I have one more thought before we come to the big reveal.
----PART 2 of 4
A SIDE NOTE: MELDING CRAFT AND ROLEPLAY
What's a roleplayer/writer to do? Maybe you can identify with this feeling: "I write because I enjoy sharing my daydreams on the page, but what point is there in writing and sharing it if no one *else* feels engaged with what I'm producing?"
Many role players are content to role play only. And there's no harm in that; it's perfectly legitimate to literally "Role Play" on an RPG, just like the name says! Plenty of fun to be had there. But if you're still in this session with me, what you're seeking out is adding another layer of awareness to your posts- not just for yourself and the immediately affected other player, but for the entire sim, for the fleet and maybe even a passer by— the Reader-At-Large. You realize at this stage in your personal development that it may be possible to intentionally craft a post, or a series of them, which stands on its own and engages the imagination of the reader who isn't necessarily already invested by virtue of being a writer in the post or even a player in your Sim.
---It's also perfectly legitimate to switch between or blend these two modes of roleplay (purely action/reaction tagging) and writing (with awareness of the reader) in cooperative writing sims. In fact, as fond as I am of pursuing more reader-aware post-crafting, I still find I need to fall back on simple action/ reaction role play in order to collect more context with which to build on and respond to in the more crafted format. I just have to accept that when I switch to role play, it may have the effect of making the post a little less reader friendly. And that's okay for some purposes. Don't think that by learning to improve your craft of writing that a little action/ reaction is beneath you. You can do both.
---QUESTION: As a sim writer, have you ever felt that need to grab the attention of the reader?
----Maybe you've dismissed it as a poor character trait in yourself like being a prima donna or an attention hog. But maybe there's something else to it: since writing is communication and that implies sharing it with others, there's not necessarily anything wrong with wanting eyes on your work and people following you— if you're going to the effort to earn it!
Which brings me to the meat of our topic: How to Write Posts with the Reader in Mind
QUESTION: Ready?
----PART 3 of 4)
WRITING POSTS WITH THE REAER IN MIND
THE DEALIO: How to Write Posts with the Reader in Mind
----PAY YOUR READER: Your reader is not watching a movie, or catching up on bills, or playing with his kids, or loading up a video game. He's spending his time tuning into your post. PAY HIM FOR IT.
SO WHAT DO ALL READERS WANT IN A POST?
The most basic answer?
You probably already know this.
It's fairly simple.
----HERE IT IS, THE BIG SECRET TO KICK-ASS POSTING:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Readers want a beginning, a middle, and an end (and a few prizes at the bottom of the cereal box)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shocking, I know. But no less true for being obvious.
-----You already know that all plots (stories) have beginnings, middles, and ends, but it's also the case that every satisfying scene nestled within a story contains it's own pattern of beginning, middle, and end. And posts generally function as scenes in sims.
Sometimes when Role Playing and feeling our way through a post, we mistake the starting of the post for a beginning, the words in the physical center as a middle, and the last part as an end. But there's more to the "beginning-middle-end" anatomy than just where the words are located in the scene chronologically. I'll tell you what I mean.
Lets explore what beginnings middles and ends generally are ***to all of us as Readers***
------1) A BEGINNING
A hook into the post. A story proposition- something that poses a question or an absurdity or a conflict or an incongruence that piques the attention. This could be achieved in the captivating or curious presentation of character or setting, the voice or style of narration, or in a remarkable plot element. You could even start in the middle of action (in media res). But you have to lead them in with something that whets the imagination or hooks the curiosity. Although there are innumerable ways to do this, the most essential way is to present a character with a challenge, a flaw, an enemy, a danger, or an unmet need or longing. This is relatable to all Readers because it's our human condition. It can be done in big and in small ways and be just as captivating.
But whatever you do for the beginning, it should have content you can draw on for the rest of the post- either a theme or actual elements or references that will carry on or be relevant. Your opening is your foundation for your middle and your end. Give yourself something to work with here, not just meandering fluff.
Readers will often allow themselves to work harder at paying attention in the introduction because they want to become engaged and enter into the scene you're giving them (Readers want to believe!) but if it remains work or if they don't start seeing how what they are reading is meaningful or applicable to the scene, you may start losing them no matter how cool your character or writing style is.....
QUESTION: A strong opening gives you material to move into the rest of the post. It takes a little bit of imagination and forethought, but can you envision how this differs from just having a character enter a room or two characters sit down?
-----(It's okay for now if you can't fully grasp the difference between just entering a scene with fluffy detail vs providing a foundation for the post. There will be concrete examples of all of my points at the end of this panel. For now just hold onto the idea: Beginnings set up foundations by establishing relevant elements!)
-----2) A MIDDLE BUILD
Using the story material supplied from the beginning, things get more tense, complicated, orinsurmountable and we (the Reader) may even have some uncertainty that it can be concluded well.
Do you ever feel like you have sort of sagging middles in your posts? Have you read other writers' posts where you start skimming in the middle? Contrast this feeling with posts where you were riveted in the middle! Imagine how you might improve on sagging middles. The primary way to keep things interesting in the middle is to have a good scenario established from the beginning. Some additional methods involve raising the stakes, adding a time pressure element, or introducing a disruption.
QUESTION: Can you suggest some other ways you can achieve a stronger middle build and keep your reader's attention?
-----3) AN END
Using the given details of the situation so far, things either get better or worse for our characters than where we were at the beginning of the post, or if we return to the same state as at the beginning of the post, we want to do so ironically or in a twisted fashion (otherwise it's too static to enjoy). Think of it as a journey. If the character(s) are moving (whether through internal personal journeys and/ or external actions) they will either get somewhere else or possibly end up back where they began, but they had to have taken us somewhere else along the way. A fitting end will resolve the middle or highlight a failed resolution (if a negative end) and if it's strongest, it will recall somethings from the beginning of the post for reader symmetry.
You may have experienced the end of a post without it really *ending* This is usually the only way out of a post that doesn't have a beginning or a middle either, but has just been an account of some characters talking or some characters carrying out action/ reaction. It's not a "scene" in the perspective of the reader.
Have you read posts that just seem to end because the writers ran out of steam or the character just said "dismissed" and left, but you weren't really left with any clear sense of theme or narrative? Have you been in posts like this? It could be it was a fantastic post that just got orphaned and wrapped up to send to the list BUT
There usually is one reason for it: There's nothing to be ended.
----QUESTION: Would you agree that endings alone can't really be fixed without interesting-foundational-beginnings and riveting-tension-building-middles to support them?
-----There's more to be said in this panel, but let's review so far:
I)Write from your inner desires and the inner desires of co-authors.
II)Understand the difference between action/ reaction tagging vs post crafting and when you are opting one way or another or blending methods. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
III) Write posts with intentional beginnings, middles, and ends. (and bonuses prizes)
1) Beginnings are Foundations that supply material and themes for the rest of the post.
2) Middles use material from beginnings to add tension or complexity
3) Ends resolve based on the scenario of the middle and reference the themes and issues from the beginning.
What about the remainder of this panel?
4) PRIZES
5) PRIZES
6) PRIZES
IV) Conclusion and Samples....
Oh Yes! THERE'S MORE!
You want to include the free bonuses for your Reader!
---Here are the "Prizes at the bottom of the cereal box" that Readers search for. If you have a reasonably sound beginning, middle and end, then the Reader will stick their arm in up to the elbow for these!
4) A REWARD FOR READING
-Put details into the post that make *the reader* feel they are uncovering or exploring the scene.
-Connect items, ideas, or themes in the beginning of the post to the end of the post.
-use voice, narration or style to set a mood or a tone
These clever descriptions, surprising flourishes, and musing narrations are not structurally necessary, but are like the icing you want to lick off the cupcake first. The spices in your bouillabaisse. The sparkles on your hippogriff. Pinstripes on your race car. The skull and crossbones on your pirate flag.
REMEMBER As long as the details are relevant to the scene and fit the voice and context, these are lovenotes to the reader. Readers eat this up.
----5) A REASON TO COME BACK
Leave an item or a secret or an unresolved story thread AND pay it off in a future post- this will keep them clicking on your post when it comes in the reader's email because you're telling a serial of stories. It also gives you more material to work with. If you are not sure what you will write in the future, you can still leave things laying around in your posts that you can inventory later when you're deciding what to write your next post about. While you do want to leave an ending note on your posts, you can also pepper in and tease out other ideas and stories as you go and leave them open for future exploration. Definitely pay some things off for the reader, but also leave some deposits in the bank of curiosity. Don't explain and give away all your brilliance in one post. Keep the reader coming back.
----6) PAY COMPLIMENTS
Reference the work of others. As simmers we share a setting so where ever possible incorporate items, effects, events, and character references to things established by other writers as long as it's done in the spirit of their posts and without assuming ownership or control of their stories without permission. Even just small references will validate them as writers and connect you to the audience that is built into simming. When you are a good audience they will return the favor and read you back. These are embedded compliments. Be a Reader to your Readers and share some love.
QUESTION: Any questions about the Reader prizes? Are there any others you would hide in the box?
----You probably need some examples to understand how to apply all of this in order to keep your reader engaged....
----(Part 4 of 4) CONCLUSION & SAMPLES
So if you find yourself writing the dinner date between your knock-out characters, (or swooping in to the rescue, or becoming the grand poobah of the party...) what the reader wants is for there to be a *reason* he's invited to your scene. Don't make your reader the uncomfortable third wheel. Ask yourself, "If I were a reader, what do I get as a payoff for reading this post?" and don't leave us the same as when we came into the scene. Take us on a journey. Every scene needs to have either an action or a revelation that matters to the reader!
If your post is jointly written, don't be afraid to talk to your co-writer and decide on a couple of reader aimed themes, goals, or plot objects going into the scene even if you keep it loose enough to change direction during the dialogue. If you enjoy roleplaying, then you're already having fun, but trust me— you'll *love* writing an engaging post for the reader even more. And all of your simming friends will be the more glad for it.
The Reader is in the scene with you. And that fact can be used to guide the Engine of Desire so you can keep the playful passion navigating in the direction of an engaging story.
The Reader wants to make-believe, too. Make room for him in the sandbox.
----SAMPLE POSTS: Cautionary vs Exemplary + teaching comments
It's really challenging in these limited sessions to give meaningful samples; I've seen some really good attempts to do so at panels in the past that just fall short due to the space and time constraints, so I'm not going to try to put little snippets and do a writing workshop in process in the chat. BUT I've got something a lot more functional for you to take home! We've prepared writing examples for those who are still asking “But how? Show me!”
As a parting gift for those hungry for some solid guidance, I'm going to link to some example texts here, one of a JP that over dramatizes common pitfalls of a post for the purposes of illustration, and another where we re-write it "With the Reader in Mind", even though we keep the "Engines of Desire" running. It's a balancing act but it pays off!
(read all the directions on the top of the documents and be careful not to edit the docs! Edit permission is open so you can read the teaching comments provided, but do not edit please!)
---Hal and Mya, Take One:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ibT_nanwffGeSnLwP8NgQ-22I0bqhBB08m11QvfKimY/edit ---Hal and Mya, Take Two
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GjUMT4_FxrLcNxWDNH52GIO5CoAt7As2jNpy6U5gTCg/edit ---In the first link— Hal and Mya Take One— the writers just decide to JP. We didn't discuss anything ahead of time. We literally just said "Wanna JP?" "Yeah sure okay" and went entirely with the flow (while imagining the worst things to do for Reader buy-in, for your amusement and information, of course.) By contrast, in the second link above we, the writers, briefly discussed what we wanted to do with the reworked post. Don't be afraid that "planning will kill my creativity" or that "I just don't like it". It's not like we had a roman numeral outline. We just shared some ideas.
---When we wrote we still left enough room for the synergistic discovery that happens via JP. We made an effort to share the stage, both writers recognizing the Wish Fulfillment fancies of the other (or more kindly: remembering the fun aspects we each wanted in our characterizations). And we made an effort to write in such a way as to prompt, or leave hooks or lead-ins on the end of each tag to cue up the other writer and not leave them hanging. When I got stuck in at one point, I told my JP partner OOC that I was unable to leave him a tag with a prompting hook and we made up the difference.
As you read through the writing samples linked above, consider this: with attention to grammar, legibility, details, and most importantly the awareness of the structure of beginnings, middles, and ends, can you see the contrast in readability between the two posts? Would you want to go back and see past posts about these characters in the first or second versions? Would you open your email if you saw their names on the top next time? Which approach made you care?
----Finally,
Thanks for attending Writing Posts with the Reader in Mind! I hope you enjoyed the panel and will give all of this writing advice some time to simmer. As with any advice, take what works for you and leave the rest. I'm glad you stuck with me until the end! That's true commitment and proof you care about your Readers!
I'll see you all in future awards announcements!
(Credit where it's due: Special thanks to @Sep for co-writing the samples with me and to @sep, @dvs, @paul for reviewing my drafts. You guys da bomb.)
