The Author’s Promise: The Two Things Every Writer Owes Their Reader

Learn the author’s promise and discover the two commitments every writer should make to keep readers turning pages until the very end.

If you’re starting a book, remember this: every novel is a promise. The moment a reader turns the first page, they’re trusting you with their time and attention. Your job is to reward that trust.

As Donna Tartt says: ‘The first duty of the novelist is to entertain. It is a moral duty. People who read your books are sick, sad, travelling, in the hospital waiting room while someone is dying. Books are written by the alone for the alone.’

I’ve read thousands of books and reviewed hundreds of them. Some leave me eager to find everything the author has ever written, and others are quickly forgotten. A few make me want to close the cover long before the ending.

What I Want

I’ve spent years wondering why some books keep me turning the pages long past bedtime while others lose me after a chapter or two.

For me, it comes down to two things:

1. I want to be entertained, and
2. I want to leave the book feeling that I’ve gained or learned something.

What I Don’t Want

There are two things here as well:

1. I don’t want a lecture disguised as a novel. Give me believable characters, a compelling story, and let me draw my own conclusions.
2. I don’t want cleverness for its own sake, confusing prose, or pages of self-indulgent stream of consciousness. Respect your reader. Make your writing clear and give your story a direction.

Every now and then, a book does something extraordinary. It entertains, surprises, and stays with me for years. Those are the novels I recommend, reread, and keep on my shelves.

Not every book needs to be life-changing. But every book should make the reader feel their time was well spent. That’s why, on our Writers Write – How to Write a Book course, we encourage writers to make a simple promise to every reader.

The Author’s Promise

‘I, the author, undertake to fulfil your expectations on both an emotional and intellectual level. I will begin with this promise and I will try to overcome all obstacles in a satisfying, meaningful way through the middle of my book until I can discharge my side of the contract. I guarantee that in the end you will have either gained new insights, have your dreams confirmed or spent a thrilling vicarious journey with my characters.’

As a writer, you enter into an agreement on two levels:

1. The emotional promise: You will tell a story that moves, entertains, inspires, or surprises your reader.
2. The intellectual promise: You will leave your reader with something of value. This could be a fresh perspective, a deeper understanding, or an experience they didn’t have before opening your book.

If you can do both, readers will finish your novel feeling their time was well spent. And that’s the best reason they’ll pick up your next book.

The Last Word

Every book makes a promise to its reader. Keep yours by delivering an engaging story and leaving your reader with something to think about, feel, or remember.

by Amanda Patterson
© Amanda Patterson

More posts from Amanda:

1. Why Every Story Needs Consequences
2. Scenes And Sequels: The Writer’s Guide To Stronger Story Structure
3. 50 Motivational Writing Quotes To Inspire You
4. The Writer’s Guide To Good Description: 10 Mistakes To Avoid
5. 10 Powerful Cliffhangers Every Writer Should Know
6. How To Write A Vignette (With Examples)
7. Mystery, Horror, Thriller – What’s The Difference?
8. How Writers Use The Love Interest As A Literary Device
9. Make Readers Care: 9 Ways To Create An Unforgettable Story
10. 30 Practical Tips To Beat Writer’s Block

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