Writing about writing in cars from last week’s post reminded me about bathroom readers. When I was twenty-one, I lived for a summer in a household of young farmers and other folks recently graduated from college. I was trying to be a writer. I had several stories I was working on, and I began to leave typed drafts in the bathroom where, one by one in privacy, each housemate read them. Discussions naturally arose about the stories at other times, and in this way, I had the circulation of oxygen to the work that readers bring—the easy reflection of casual perusal that brought the pieces alive as something separate from me.
None of my readers instructed me on how to write or suggested what to change. They were simply responding as readers. This is what we most need as writers—and what I miss most about living with a whole bunch of readers and one small water closet.
Here are three place to find supportive readers for your work:
1) Open mikes. Go for it. Nothing will help you edit your work more than hearing yourself read it aloud to an audience.
2) Your local bookstore. Post an index card with a meeting time. Gather around a table and pass manuscripts counterclockwise. Write three things you like or love and one or two questions. Pass it on.
3) Your friend who is not a writer. Writers read each other’s work all the time, and that’s wonderful, but don’t forget to reach out to readers. They have all the know-how you need to see if a piece is having the impact you hope.
Where do you find readers? Where else might you look?
Since my book is written from my dog’s perspective, I read it out loud to him. If I keep his attention, it’s a go, if he whines or barks, it’s a definite rewrite.