Ideal Reader, part deux

I've been thinking about this whole 'Ideal Reader' thing, and the value of getting someone else to read your writing before it goes out to an agent/editor/the real world. I know I'd struggle without my IR, not least because she nags me to keep writing. The first novel would never have been finished had it not been for her gentle nagging/encouragement/downright bullying. The second novel hopefully won't need quite so much of this, not least because it's under contract, so umm... I kind of have to write it. And I want to, so that's good. But I could still do with huge dollops of encouragement, of course.

There aren't many people I'd trust to read my writing in its raw state. There aren't many (any?) people whose opinion I value so highly. BUT could I benefit from some different perspectives? Or would too many cooks spoil the book? Would I be too confused by one person saying 'I love this character - she's so DARK,' and another person saying 'Urgh, I hate this character - she's so DARK'? Would my brain explode?

It's an interesting question, to me at least.

My Ideal Reader

If you haven’t read Stephen King’s On Writing yet, maybe you should. I recommend it to all my writer friends. I’d defy anyone to read it and NOT want to go away and write IMMEDIATELY. It’s inspirational, and not just because Mr King got a ridonkulously huge advance for his first novel, Carrie. In On Writing, King talks about his Ideal Reader. This happens to be his wife, Tabitha, which is mighty convenient.

Do you have an Ideal Reader? A friend or loved one who lurks at the back of your mind as you write? You write something funny (maybe), and think ‘Ha! I bet that’ll make him/her laugh!’. Or you write something sad (which is more likely for me) and think ‘Ha! I bet that’ll make him/her cry!’. You’re still writing for yourself, of course, but there’s the added incentive of hoping to please someone else. Which makes sense, since, ultimately, you’re hoping that many, many complete strangers will read your book one day.

My Ideal Reader is my best friend. Hello, IR if you’re reading this! Thanks for reading, and laughing and crying in all the right places.

So, who’s your Ideal Reader, and why?