When I write, there's always someone in mind, someone who will gladly read what I've put down. For years I wrote only for myself. While that was good practice, I never finished any of those stories. I never cared very deeply for them, either. My new novel, a Western entitled Coyote Howls, was written mainly for my 12 year old niece, Alice. It changed the whole tone of the story, the plot, the message I wanted for her to read. I finished because of my love for her and the love she had for the budding novel. Authors cannot survive alone. Your story will have no substance, no passion, if you aren't writing for at least one person other than yourself. But hey, that doesn't mean you should limit yourself, either! Write for 5 people! 10! 20! As long as they love you and share the same interest and passion for your story, you'll have all the support and motivation you need.
On the other hand, your writing should be something YOU love. You keep going because YOU WANT to, because you're madly, desperately in love with your words and the sound of your own voice, and no one, ever, ever, ever, EVER should be able to take that away from you. If you don't like/agree that a reader's suggestion isn't right for your story, then it isn't! Readers are readers, and writers are writers. They can have ideas, advice, things they'd like to see happen. YOU are under NO obligation to do anything more than listen, nod, and think about it.
One more crucial thing. Make sure your audience isn't just flattering you. I read somewhere that you should have both sides of a coin, one who adores you (your mom?), and one who'll be brutally honest (a professor?).
On the other hand, your writing should be something YOU love. You keep going because YOU WANT to, because you're madly, desperately in love with your words and the sound of your own voice, and no one, ever, ever, ever, EVER should be able to take that away from you. If you don't like/agree that a reader's suggestion isn't right for your story, then it isn't! Readers are readers, and writers are writers. They can have ideas, advice, things they'd like to see happen. YOU are under NO obligation to do anything more than listen, nod, and think about it.
One more crucial thing. Make sure your audience isn't just flattering you. I read somewhere that you should have both sides of a coin, one who adores you (your mom?), and one who'll be brutally honest (a professor?).