What people are ashamed of usually makes a good story.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald—
Today’s quote reveals an inconvenient truth about Readers. At least, it identifies something about my personal experience as a reader and as a writer.
What attracts a reader to a particular story? Is it the awesome description or front cover? Is it the nasty antagonist or heroic protagonist?
I tend to think it is a bit of everything but especially the Readers own experience in life. That is something you, the writer, has no control over but is possibly one of the most important points to keep in mind.
Those with a strong sense of justice will be more likely to pick up a crime novel.
Frustrated by the lack of leadership in the world governments? Science fiction may be just your thing.
A writer needs to reveal something about the world that is so wrong that the reader is drawn towards the solution offered in the book. How can you come up with an idea for your book that will nail it? Draw on your own experiences in life.
What drives you crazy? Injustice? Corruption? Environmental destruction?
You won’t be the only one. Draw on that feeling. Pour your emotions out through your keyboard. You will connect with others feeling the same way.
The best thing about writing fiction is you can fix the problems that seem unfixable in the real world.