Why do I write? That is the question I used to ask myself when I switched my major to English and had to write paper after paper. Who did I want to write to? The silly question I thought had everything to do with the outcome of my paper. Of course, academic writing is different because there is an audience you are writing to: other scholars, such as yourself, and the professor grading it.

William Zinsser answers this question: the intention of authenticity. Focusing less on the “audience” gets rid of the expectation of getting it right with those who you assume will really, truly appreciate it. Those who appreciate writing see it for all its glory.

There is a saying, “Those who get it, get it. Those who don’t, don’t”. I now understand that writing with the intent to “reach an audience” limits your creative abilities. Your writing can stand on its own and attract the right people.

In Chapter 5 of “On Writing Well”, Zinsser talks about the audience and the importance of not neglecting your voice in the attempt to reach people. Your writing doesn’t have to be stuffy, repetitive, and boring to be successful. If that’s your style, rock out. Own who you are, and your writing will reach the right people even if it’s not what they are typically interested in.

As humans, we communicate, but how we do so varies based on where we’re from, the language(s) we speak, our upbringing, and more. That is what makes us all unique. Why dim that light and deviate from who you are when you can highlight it and attract those who want to read, whether it’s to gain perspective, find relatability, or simply because they are interested. The great thing about writing is that there will always be someone who wants to read it.

As a writer, you should write something you would want to read. Zinsser makes this somewhat controversial point in his book. When I was trying to understand his point, I couldn’t grasp that a writer would genuinely want to read their own work after publishing.

Personally speaking, I tend to write and forget. I found it cringeworthy to go back and read what I wrote. As I grow in my creativity, I know it’s crucial to read what I write so I can edit and rewrite it to make it sound more like me.

Zinsser, in chapter 4 of “On Writing Well,” states, “Writing is an intimate transaction between two people, conducted on paper, and it will go well to the extent that it retains its humanity” (p 20). So, where is your audience? It’s in you, in your authenticity. Stay true to who you are and soon, you won’t be the only audience you have.