Why “Narrow Your Field of Focus” Isn’t the Right Advice for All Writers
By: Bridget Webber
Tags: Personal Development, Writing, Writer, Writing Tips, Life

If you are an eclectic writer, make it work for you

I once won a tee-shirt for being an eclectic writer. Okay, not every writer’s goal, but at the time, spreading my writing within a wide range of topics worked for me, not against me.

But I often hear the opposite advice from other writers. Perhaps limiting their work to a narrow field of subjects brings them positive results. “Narrow your focus” isn’t the right advice for all of us though.

Some writers are built to be Jack-of-all-trades. What’s more, they are proficient in varied areas rather than churning out mediocre writing.

The idea branching off in several directions leads to poor work and other negative results doesn’t always hold true. People imagine you can’t diversify and maintain integrity and skill. Yet, if you are an expansive writer at heart, you thrive when you spread your abilities.

Writer’s needs vary

I write in several genres, and one feeds the other. Creative writing, for instance, spills into factual articles and I’m glad.

After writing poetry or short stories, my brain is in creative mode. If I then switch to, let’s say, a self-improvement post, it’s easy for me to include metaphors and my unique creative writing voice to my work.

Your needs as a writer may differ. Perhaps focusing on a single theme helps you excel and brings out your best. It might attract readers who enjoy specific subjects too. But it is possible to be eclectic and maintain readership.

Suggestions

If you want to branch out and vary written topics, you might create publications to house them, so readers can go to the articles or stories they enjoy most.

You can also write for other writer’s publications that suit different genres. Your readers will see where you’ve posted written work, and can head in a direction they choose.

Your writer’s voice is probably best maintained though

I say “probably,” in case I’m wrong. Nonetheless, once you’ve built a following of readers who want to come back to your work again and again, varying your tone of writing may disappoint. If they enjoy your work, the chances are they like your writing voice.

What’s a writing voice?

Your writing voice is how your personality shines through into written work. It’s unique to you and reflects your character and fashions the tone of your writing. Often, it’s creative, although, some writers have a natural clean, matter-of-fact style that suits them, and it’s devoid of idiosyncrasy.

Writers are unique

Writers are like honey bees. Some stay close to the nest. They forage for nectar, but don’t spread their wings too far. Others remain close to the queen. Their job is specific, and they are experts.

But there are also bees that venture further afield. They collect nectar from varied flower types. And a few don’t gather nectar so much as they travel far and wide to make sure they know where a new hive can live if a calamity befalls the existing one.

They are adventurous and lead different lives to those bees with an indoor job. All bee careers, however, benefit the hive. They are necessary, and their differences don’t occur by accident.

We humans, whether writers or not, have tendencies peculiar to us. We aren’t the same, and what suits one person doesn’t always suit another.

If you, like me, are an eclectic writer, fear not, you aren’t wrong. No one’s right or wrong to prefer a narrow or wide focus. Figure how your particular writing personality fits into the writer’s market and make the most of it. Don’t restrict your work if it doesn’t feel right.