In October 2023, I started a weekly (mostly) Substack on the topic of my recovery from alcoholism. I did so on the advice of writing experts who say memoir writers need an author platform. Apparently, if I want agents to even consider representing me and my memoir, SOBER MOM, I need to grow my audience and engage with my potential readers on my memoir’s subject.

So that’s what I’m doing, and it’s going pretty well so far. Besides finding an agent, my goal for the Substack is to help destigmatize alcoholism and take some of the mystery out of recovery. One hurdle, though, is thinking of new topics week after week.

So how do I do it? If I’m stuck, if I can’t think of a recent personal anecdote related to recovery, I think about an actual person I know, a family member who has just started his recovery journey. Let’s call this person “Bill.”

Bill is currently at “the jumping-off point.” In recovery, this is the moment in which a person can’t imagine continuing to rely on substances but also can’t imagine life without them.

Although it’s been 13 years since I was at my jumping-off point, I can remember the frustration, the shame, and the confusion. During that time, I craved some type of beginner’s guide to help me understand the recovery lingo, the meeting formats, and the often baffling suggestions I was encouraged to take.

If only I had a weekly Substack that could help me understand the ins and outs of recovery. 🙂

I didn’t 13 years ago, but Bill does! 

When I’m drawing a blank on what to write about in my weekly Substack, I think about Bill. I think about how nervous and self-conscious he must be when he walks through a meeting door and picks his seat. I think about his confusion when he hears speakers use foreign phrases such as “terminal uniqueness” or “bozo on the bus.” I think about how scared he must be when he passes by a liquor store or a bar. 

I think about Bill and I write for Bill.

Do you have a Bill? Are you writing with a reader in mind? If you don’t have a situation like I do, where you actually know your ideal reader, spend some time thinking about who your reader is. Ask yourself what’s their name, where do they live, how old are they, what do they like to do, etc.

Now that you’ve fleshed out your ideal reader, use the template below to craft your ideal reader profile. Feel free to add, change, or remove things as you see fit! 

Ideal Reader Profile (Fill In the Blank)

My ideal reader is __________(name), a __________(age) year-old __________ (man/woman/boy/girl/person) who lives in __________(geographic location). In their spare time, they can often be found __________(hobby/job/). In general, they are a __________(characteristic) person. Sometimes they stay up at night thinking about __________(thoughts/worries/fears/dreams). More than anything in this world, my reader wants __________ (desire). My writing will help my reader achieve this by __________(how your book will serve your reader).

As an example, here is my completed Ideal Reader Profile using “Bill” as my reader. 

My ideal reader is Bill, a 35-year-old man who lives in the suburbs. In his spare time, he can often be found playing golf. In general, he is a fun, kind, energetic person. Sometimes he stays up at night thinking about his two young children and their future. More than anything in this world, my reader wants to be a good father and a good husband. My writing will help my reader achieve this by showing him how he can live a sober life. 

Complete your Ideal Reader Profile and then print it out and tape it on the wall above your writing desk. Refer to it often to remind yourself to whom you are writing and why.

Me? I’ll continue writing my Substack for Bill.