Write what’s right For Your Reader (audio poem)

On By Michele LeeIn Audio, Reading, Verse, Writing
Write what’s right For Your Reader (audio poem)
It took some doing
but I did it
I found my rhythm
I found my pace
I just needed a break
from being the writer
I needed to step back
and start again
on page one
where it all began
I told my writing brain
to chill
not easy to do
I took on a new assignment
I began asking
not telling showing
I became the reader
of the words I penned
I pretended to not know
what I already knew
not easy to do
I saw my book project
with curious new eyes
I saw what I needed to do
I filled in subtle details
that can make the difference between
getting lost in a story and getting lost in a story
I gave the protagonist more backstory
further developing her life
I strengthened friend dynamics
making the pain more believable
when a friendship fell apart
I clarified the passing of time
with seasons and other time cues
I whittled (a few) long poetic passages
into a sentence or two
not easy to do
But you see
It isn’t about me, the writer
It’s about the reader
connecting to characters
and learning something new
about life and themselves
It’s about the reader
making it to The End
happy to have read
a memorable story
written by a writer
who would rather
show not tell

A few more chapters to go and my second draft will be ready to go back to my editor for a second read. 😅 Having completed a graduate degree and a subsequent graduate certificate, I have written my share of lengthy research papers. Those papers do not begin to compare to writing a novel and never once did I include fabricated dialogue in any of those. Textual evidence, sure, but dialogue, never!

What a writing journey writing a novel has been for me! A journey that will continue. Hopefully, for years to come. I am grateful for the support I have received from WP readers during this lengthy process. 🙏🏻 I look forward to continuing to share what I am learning, with the goal of helping and motivating other writers. Thank you for visiting and listening. Be well. 💗 Michele

Clicking on book cover will take you to my Being a Woman poetry collections.

Art (behind me) by Sammi Lee

Featured Photo by: cottonbro

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

101 thoughts on “Write what’s right For Your Reader (audio poem)”

  2. Yay on just a few chapters left!
    Wonderful poem, so true. Have to see it from the reader’s perspective! Its so easy for me to be ilke , “Well I knew what I meant and what was going to happne … so I didn’t need to include that detail ..” and then its like DUH! Yes, I knew, but the reader didn’t. Its like I want the reader to read my mind at times, would be easier, wouldn’t it. LOL!

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    1. So close. Yes!! Phew! Just part of the journey, right? Publishing is another chapter entirely. 🤪 Right you are, Joy. Readers should just be able to read our minds. That, and they should enjoy going down rabbit holes with me. 😂 Thank you for sharing your writing/reading thoughts. 🙏🏻 Enjoy your weekend and happy writing!

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed my poem, and I am honored to inspire you. Thank you, Aaysid. 🙏🏻When we write about what we’ve learned, it strengthens our learning. Making future projects flow a little faster, a little easier. Hopefully. 😆 Sending you happy weekend and writing vibes! 🌞✍🏼💕

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    1. Thanks, Devang. 🙏🏻 I am a calm person, but beyond that I believe poetry should not be rushed… whether reading silently the work of another or reading aloud one’s own poem. Reading thoughtfully gives the reader/listener a chance to absorb the message. Best to you!

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      1. Thanks, Michele. Have you read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by CS Lewis (Narnia series). I think of Eustace and the painful process of removing scales to become human again. The revision journey has a spiritual element, complete with grieving and renewal.

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  9. Poetpas

    Excellent poetry! The rhythm of your read is calming and signifies its soothing content. Well done. Good luck with your encyclopaedia. I’ve decided to write a book as well. Here’s the title: The stress of the daily confrontations of a positive existential nihilist 😂

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    1. Thank you very much! I appreciate your appreciation. 😁 A lovely description of my reading. I enjoy reading aloud and try to be intentional about it. 🙏🏻 haha It is feeling like the Neverending Story. 😂 Wonderful news, writer! Great title! Sure to be a bestseller! 👏🏻 Best wishes to you on your confrontational positive existential writing journey. That is bound to be an interesting one. 🤣

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      1. Poetpas

        You’re welcome. And thank you. As a nihilist I’m aiming it to be a worstseller but yes it should be an interesting journey 😁

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      2. I was just about to comment… I left off the nihilist part of your writing journey. Might be the foundation of your worstselling book, so one to not leave out. “How to aim for a Worstseller,” now there is a bestselling idea! ✨😂

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    1. Well said. Thank you, Brad! It seems obvious advice – to think about the audience when writing for an audience, but I definitely needed the reminder! I am grateful for your kind encouragement. 🙏🏻 Hope your time with your mom is going well.

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  15. If your book shows as well as you – indeed, not easy to do – then happy are we, who spend our time to see, your splendid tale through to the end. Congratulations on your second draft, Michele. Wishing you a happy holiday weekend! ✍🏼🌞🌹

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  17. Congratulations on this post and on your second draft. I think we do write to be read, so I’m happy to read about your connecting and reconnecting that way. I have no doubt that you will not write merely to please but instead (and always) write to engage.

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    1. I do hope that anything I am learning can be helpful to other writers. I certainly learn from others. Yourself included, with your thoughtful motivational videos! 😄 Thank you so much for reading and offering your kind words of support. I also think that sharing my novel writing journey raises my accountability, which keeps me motivated. Thanks for pointing out the last line. 😁

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      1. Oh yes indeed it’s lovely to pass on our knowledge and we are always learning. You’re most welcome and thanks too for your support always Michele. It’s my pleasure and I do I do think you are so right about knowing what motivates us. I grapple with that last line in my writing and it hits and misses sometimes even with the best of intentions. 💖💖🌹

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  19. A gorgeous poem elucidating great strength, perseverance, flexibility, and elegance. I’m excited for you, and to read your wonderful book upon its publication. 💖🌳 That you compared the writing of your novel to a more arduous journey than writing long research papers in grad school makes this reader nervous, for I have written the latter, and not the former. 😅😂 Happy Saturday, Michele! 🌼☀️🌿

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    1. Loving your descriptive list, Jeff. Very nice! Thank you for that boost and for your interest in reading my book, in the future. 🙏🏻 It has been a longer process for me, but don’t be nervous! Should you choose to embark on a novel writing journey, I do believe that time you have spent writing poetry will be helpful. It has helped me. Maybe too much! haha I hope that what I have shared and will continue to share will be helpful to you, should you choose to write a novel. 😊 Happy Saturday to you too! 🌞🌳💖

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      1. You’re most welcome, Michele. It’s always my pleasure. 🙏 Ah, your sharing is always helpful. 😁 Well, after working on this poetry book for some time now, a novel seems daunting, yet who knows. Maybe! Thank you! 🌳💖🌞

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  21. So touching poem of your beautiful wishes and so lovely your stunning photography 🌷🙏♥️🙏👍🏻
    Write what’s right for your Reader , is very true thinking and you are so talented Author and welcome
    Dear your audio poem such a lovely voice 😍👍🏻💕Thank you for sharing 👏💐

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  28. I confess, I was a bit hesitant to read this poem as I am a big believer in writing foremost for oneself and not compromising one’s narratives in order to deliver what the reader demands to read.

    As I delved into your narrative, I found myself enjoying your thoughts on writing and so loved your revelations on how writing takes on a new meaning when you view it as a reader! ❤

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    1. Thank you for confessing, Jaya. 😁 I am grateful for your refreshing honesty and valuable feedback. 🙏🏻 I am a believer in your sentiment – writers should write what they feel compelled to write, in the fashion that best suits their style. Such is the beauty and gift of artistic expression, whatever the medium. I would shout this from the mountaintops. 🌄 While working on my second draft, I discovered how my attachment to this belief was causing some confusion in a few areas. I believe my second draft balances being true to my individual expression while enhancing the reader experience. I hope so, anyway. 😆 I am glad you enjoyed my thoughts and revelations. I have had many during this process. 🙃

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  29. Congratulations on your second draft! I especially love these lines. And as I’ve said before, your voice is naturally sweet and soothing. 😊☺❤

    It isn’t about me, the writer
    It’s about the reader
    connecting to characters
    and learning something new
    about life and themselves

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  32. Girlfriend, I don’t know how I missed this post. UGH! 😝 Anywho, this is such a powerful and transformational message. Your poem is awesome Michele my Belle. 👏🏼 It speaks so passionately about what writing challenges we go through, ✍🏼 how we must take a step back, and then proceed on our journey. Thanks for the great lesson of encouragement my dancing “teacher” queen! 💃🏼👩🏼‍🏫💃🏽 Hugs and smooches! 🥰💖😊💞😘🌺🤗🦋

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    1. You are allowed to miss one per year. 😂 This one you did not miss; you are just fashionably late. 😁 And you did make a statement with YOUR message. Thank you! I love knowing that I am in good company along this writing journey. Writing and dancing with Kymbelina! 🥰 Your visits and posts lift me up my motivational maven.🙏🏻💖 🤗😘

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      1. Oh Michele my Belle, thanks so much for giving me a “free get out of jail card!” LMBO 😂😝🤣 You know me so well…Fashionably late! 👗👜👠 I appreciate you girlfriend and thanks so much for pouring motivation and inspiration back into me. And our writing journey continues… ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼

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