Writing Biz
BY ERYKA PARKER
The Heartbeat of Intimacy in Writing: Know Your Audience
For writers, reader intimacy begins with a deep understanding of audience. This connection goes beyond shared demographics—it’s about recognizing their emotions, values, and cultural experiences. This type of understanding fosters trust, loyalty, and breeds stories that resonate in ways that linger long after the final page.
Understand the Heart of Your Audience
Readers seek not only to be entertained, but to feel seen. For Black audiences, this often means finding stories that reflect our lived experiences, joys, and challenges. It’s the joy of a character overcoming obstacles or the heartbreak of a personal loss, and authentic emotional moments that create a bond that transcends the page.
When readers interact with stories, they seek elements of hope, love, empowerment, or even to experience catharsis. In Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing, the heartbreak of family separation and the generational trauma it leaves behind creates a lingering emotional resonance for readers. The autobiography Becoming by Michelle Obama offers an intimate exploration of navigating her identity, and reflections on personal struggles and triumphs, inviting readers to connect deeply with her story.
These Black literary staples demonstrate how raw moments of joy and pain can forge deep connections between the narrative and its audience, no matter the genre.
Research Without Losing Your Voice
Chasing trends or catering to fads that compromise your authenticity is the best way to lose your unique voice. Instead, focus on meaningful ways to engage by incorporating social media polls, reader surveys, and book club discussions to understand what your audience cares about most.
Staying attuned to cultural conversations in your community can inspire timely and relevant storytelling. However, it’s important to remember that your voice makes your work unique. So, use audience insights as a guide, not a directive, to ensure your stories remain true to your purpose and vision.
Building a relationship with your audience involves creating a two-way connection. Newsletters, social media platforms, and virtual events provide direct interaction with readers. Make them feel like a part of your community by responding to comments, requesting input, and expressing gratitude for their support.
Reader feedback is a valuable resource for growth because it provides recurring themes that reveal what resonates with them.
Craft Stories That Speak to the Soul
Combining your unique perspective with your knowledge about your audience allows you to write stories that honor their cultural experiences while also exploring universal truths. Highlighting deeply personal yet universally relatable themes like love, resilience, and community results in creating stories that feel authentic, intimate, and meaningful. When readers can see themselves reflected in your work, they’re more likely to form a personal connection and eventually convert from casual readers into loyal fans.
By knowing your audience and honoring your voice, you create a foundation of intimacy that elevates your storytelling and ensures your work leaves the lasting impact you intended. Remember to embrace the power of your voice, knowing that you have the potential to inspire, heal, and leave an indelible mark on the world.
Eryka Parker
Founder, Legacy Book Coaching & Consulting