When it comes to writing a story whether a horror, fantasy or fiction do you care about the reader. When sharing your story would you let others dictate to you what direction your story should follow or do you simply follow your beliefs regardless of the outcome.
I think it is important to find your voice.
The way I look at it is that your reader will either enjoy what you are writing, fully immerse themselves into your work and go along for the ride. Or they won't. And it's no good trying to write something that aims to appeal to everyone, or even listen to every suggestion given by those you share your story with.
The reason I say that is because in trying to incorporate all those suggestions or trying to write a single story that will appeal to everyone will result in not a very good story. In the end, those people who made the suggestions in the first place probably wouldn't like the end result.
I agree with Thomas, the way the writing sounds when read aloud, and the messages you are trying to put across are the important things.
I write because I have something to say. I did plan my novel to have widespread appeal, but whether the reader finds all the hidden depths and understand everything to do with the plot and storyline is not important to me. What is important is that they gain enjoyment from reading my novel.
Satisfaction guaranteed if a reader said, 'I enjoyed reading your novel.'
Great question Damien. In my opinion it all depends on what the story is about, and what you're trying to convey. I think it's very important to think about how your writing sounds, and how it will be read by the reader, but I don't think that the reader should dictate your writing. That's the great, and scary, thing about writng; at the end of the day the reader will find their own meaning in your writing, whether you put it there or not.