| When I informally ask aspiring writers who | | | | writing tends to widen the audience |
| they prefer to review their manuscripts, | | | | boundaries. If John Q. Public is a member of |
| answers range from professors to community | | | | your target audience it is best to get a |
| college instructors to writing workshop | | | | range of responses to your work. There is a |
| coordinators. These responses are fine if you | | | | large segment of the population who spend |
| are writing for an audience of community | | | | their days working in cubicles. How would |
| college instructors, but this scenario is in | | | | they be impacted by your writing? Single moms |
| fact quite rare.I have a brother who is | | | | struggling with the cost of daycare? |
| thoughtful, intelligent, pragmatic and by no | | | | Teenagers drinking cola from enormous |
| means "artsy". It is for these reasons that I | | | | containers at the convenience store? The |
| value his feedback. I classify his reaction | | | | plumber in your building or home?If any of |
| as a "real world" reaction to a manuscript. | | | | the individuals above are part of your |
| Is he bored? confused? lost? entertained? His | | | | intended audience, their opinions could be |
| feedback may reshape my writing.Audience | | | | invaluable. There could also be a lot to |
| obviously plays a crucial role in writing. | | | | learn from their "art", be it a trade, a |
| Any composition would benefit from review by | | | | white collar profession, juggling an |
| members of the intended audience, whether the | | | | impossible budget, or finding rare songs on |
| subject be professional, avocational, | | | | the Internet.The next time you need a |
| personal or a combination of the above. The | | | | manuscript reviewed, show it to the usual |
| process could even help identify the true | | | | suspects. Then offer your plumber a coffee or |
| audience for which you are writing.Creative | | | | lunch in exchange for editorial comment. |