Who Do We Write For?
Renee Miller had an interesting post about writing to taboos and offending readers. I don't deliberately go out of my way to offend or shock people. But, if I did my job right, I am bound to offend someone.
Why do I know this?
Because I write to a specific audience. The people who like my work are a profoundly elite group. They are most likely well-educated, curious, and eclectic. They aren't afraid of new ideas or stabbing the heart of old ones.
It took me MANY years to understand who I was writing for. Readers who like their heroes slight and dewy-eyed will not care for my men. We are talking alphas here, confident, hard-loving, bold men. I don't apologize for that. Those are the kind of men that appeal to me. And obviously, I'm not the only one.
My women are not doormats. They are self-assured and proactive. They might even be unlikable until you learn why they put up the barriers they do, the same walls you and I might put up in dangerous situations.
The men and women in my stories are partners, companions, and allies. I expect them to be equals in the eyes of each other, regardless of actual status.
My writing is very deliberate and confident. I know what I want to say, and I don't try to be everything to everybody.
I think the problem a lot of writers face is that they desperately want to be liked and admired by everyone. And that's just not possible. Better that you wow a loyal hard-core group of fans who appreciate and understand your work, than to try to please everyone.
So my best advice is to learn who your core audience is. Who do you write for? That's not as easy as it sounds. But the upshot of this is that once you know who your market is, the easier it will be for you to brand yourself.
The way I discovered my brand (and by extension, my audience) was by listing the books already published as well as those in the wings awaiting publication. What was the thread that ran through each of them?
At first, I didn't see it. I had written science fiction, post-apocalyptic, paranormal, and romance. What did they all have in common? How were they connected? The parallels seeped into my subconscious gradually.
Mysticism, the preternatural, and mythology were the three things that made them similar. Even though the stories and the worlds were entirely unique, these elements remained constant.
The people I write for delight in the unusual, the sublime, and the unexplained. That in itself is a pretty vast scope of potential readers that can be refined even further.
My mission now is helping them find me, and allow them to decide if my work is worthy of taking up shelf space--virtual or otherwise.
Writers: Who do you write for? Can you identify your brand?
Readers: Are you an adventurous reader, or do you prefer to stay in genres that make you comfortable?
Comments
If I were to make a bold claim, I'd say the majority of published authors display absolute ownership of their writing. I imagine it's something editors and agents look for in a query and sample.
I don't bother looking for new work at bookstores anymore. Instead, I troll Goodreads and book bloggers for new writers and more innovative stories.
You made an excellent observation! It's a shame traditional publishers aren't getting the message.
It's something I'm trying to keep at the back of my mind as I toy with my writing. I agree with Mike and write the stories I want to read.
Sherri: Must be something in the water. I think I was feeling introspective today. Shocking, I know.
If I can feel the love that an author's has in their work, it makes it easier to keep coming back again and again to read their work.
Linda: I think all of us are inspired by what we read, but even more by what we dream after the tale is told.
Reader: I’m the adventurous reader. I read everything except horror, I’m too much of a wuss and every time I read horror, I found myself sleeping with the lights on. For me, what makes or breaks a story are the characters. If I love them, I will read the story and don’t care whatever genre it is. If I hate the characters, it could be the best book ever but I will abandon it.
As for reading, I'm like Angelina. Adventurous...except for horror.
I even read literary (the natural enemy of genre :grin:) as long as there is a plot to the story. You can only read so much character analysis before you start chomping at the bit for story.
Thanks for an interesting and thought provoking post.
I second, third,???? the complaint about the lack of browsing material in book stores. They've cut back on shelf space so far, I think they are losing potential sales.
What I'm hearing from you is it is a losing proposition, right? The frustrating thing for me is the people who have read my novel seem to love it, but I just am having trouble getting the word out. Really, I think my problem is being in too much of a hurry to be that overnight sensation.
I take it you are feeling so much better now? 100% yet? Hope so,
-Jimmy
But it's a start.
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Kay: The lack of titles is a post in itself. With Borders shutting down 30% of its stores, you can bet we're going to feel it even more significantly in the future.
But yeah, bookstores are more like boutique shops catering to a few well known authors. If you want something fresh, it'll have to be found elsewhere.
Ref: losing proposition
Let's call it an opportunity to target a very specific market.
Look at your book for instance. Christian horror is a very exclusive subgenre. Rather than reaching for the shotgun, you'd be better off using a sniper rifle.
Slower, yes, but you are targeting a specific fan base, readers who LIKE what you write and want more. Success rarely arrives on the first book. It sneaks in, one book at a time.
The million dollar question is how do we reach our target audience--especially in this viral world?
Big publishers can inflate their authors and create big media events to drive sales. We have to do things the old fashioned way. We have to earn our readers.
Who I write for is *somewhat* easier to define. SF/F/Paranormal and romance readers open to more than m/f relationships. Readers not looking for hard science in their SF, readers who don't mind the lack of ogres and elves in their sword and sorcery fantasies, readers who want an entertaining story and will come back for more : )
As a reader I'll read anything. I don't look for a specific theme or idea. I look for writers who I feel care about the craft and enjoy writing. It shows quite often when a writer is simply writing to earn a paycheck. That writing lacks passion. If I enjoy the voice of the author, if it shows that the writer is as obsessed as I am, then I'm a fan for life.
On the other hand. I think people who like darker characters with their own set of rules, people who enjoy the thought that characters reap what they sow and people that enjoy an immense story arc will enjoy what I am writing.
:-)
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Barbara: Ref: And slightly unusual looking.
With pens. Lots and lots of pens. :grin:
Misha: What I said to Renee above applies here too. We all write for ourselves first. If we're lucky, we'll strike a chord that touches many readers as well.
Jennifer: LOL! I love to read Regencies, but if you wanna see ugly that would be me trying to write one. :o) I know exactly what you mean. Best that we write to our strengths, and read those we can't emulate. Thank God for variety!
Hmmmm....
As a writer I stick more to SFR and PNR and underneath that is a strong RomSus foundation.
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Marianne: I like that. 'Hopeless Romantic' That's a PERFECT brand for you. And I think your blog and even your Facebook avatar reflects that. You've been at this longer than I have and I think you've always understood who you're writing for. Well done, Mariannne.
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Melissa: You shameless girl, you! Damn straight you have it easier. LOL. All you have to do is change out the accessories (and the men). :wink:
That's your brand leverage right there. I can easily see that thread weaved into your brand.
Ref: reading
So are non-HEAs a turn off for you? I don't mind bittersweet endings (actually, I prefer them) but if I suspect a non HEA in the offing, I usually stop reading.
Not every story should end happily, but I despise a book that makes me want to curl into a ball and cry at the end. I will generally avoid bittersweet endings unless there is some non pleasure reason I’m reading.
I was so upset. That was totally uncalled for.
Ref: branding
I don't know that our brands are ever really a done-deal. It evolves with us. As our writing matures, so does the brand.
And speaking of techie stuff, that's what appeals to me about your brand. I know what I'm getting when I reach your sites. You're someone who is very much in command of her research without a hint of dryness. It's accessible science melded into very provocative stories.
You really know your brand. Kudos!
As a reader I used to stay in comfortable and familiar but now, as a reader and a writer, I'm pushing myself out of that zone. I'm bored with the familiar!
It would be interesting to parse and see what you have to work with.
You do have "brand" I enjoy reading Maria, my curiosity for all things unusual is fully satisfied with your books!
I just prefer the real thing to the digital format... LOL
My work is very mainstream, which you'd think would be a positive because that's a large audience. But I don't see it that way. In my mind, it means I must stand out even more, but with something very subtle. And I must compete with the big dogs who have the mainstream locked down as autobuy authors.
The only person I can really write for is me. But as a long time romance reader, that's not a bad target. I've been reading romance since the mid 80s and figure as long as I write stories I love, then others like me are bound to love them too.
As for marketing, I'm choosing not to think about it. :)
Love the cover!
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Terrio: A good brand evolves, and I'm still too new at this to say that this is it, but it's certainly close.
Ref: mainstream
Absolutely. In a way, you have an even more difficult challenge than those of us who write to subgenres. If it were me, I'd pick out two or three 'big' authors who are similar to your style and see what they're doing to distinguish themselves. Sometimes we can glean clues of what to do--and what not to do.
PS That banner for her new book is brilliant. It exemplifies her style.