The First Duty of a Writer is to Entertain

This is so true. Let’s face it, most of us read books simply for entertainment. It’s the same with TV and movies. Most of us want something, first and foremost, that will take us out of the every day and provide some enjoyment.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that your writing shouldn’t be profound. Most people like to find a moral of some sort in the story; something the writer is trying to communicate. But if your writing is only philosophical and abstract, it may impress the most high brow reader (at least, they’ll pretend to be impressed because they think it makes them look clever ;-)) but you’ll lose most other readers at the same time. Entertain the reader, and slip the truth you’re trying to communicate in through the back door. It will be more effective that way.