the wrong audience

I haven't worked on my novel for ever such a long time. Partly because I've been busy, but mostly because when I've thought about it of late I've just had this growing, almost intangible sense of despair.

But I've finally put my finger on the reason for this!

It's simply that I've been aiming to please an audience - in itself not a helpful thing - and what's more, I've been targeting the wrong audience.

The people I've been subconsciously writing the story for are not the people who'll eventually read it. The people I'm in immediate contact with barely read at all, and they would shrivel up with embarrassment at the suggestion that they try young adult fiction, particularly young adult fantasy.

So small wonder I keep thinking they'll hate it!

There are plenty of readers out there who will like it. And although I'm ultimately writing this story out of a desire to honour my characters, I'd be more than happy for other people to enjoy the characters too.

Enid Blyton (not that I'm trying to emulate her - not professionally or personally) used to say that critics over the age of 12 didn't count, because that was her target demographic. And I think there's something valid in that.

Critics who don't like young adult fantasy don't count.

I feel so much better now I've realised this!