Day 2, Branding-Lacey Markt
Step 1 - Look in the Mirror
What are your strengths?
● Strengths: I write humor well, make readers feel for my characters, put them in the scene so they can experience it, have fun action scenes (it's a superhero story).
What are you the best in your world at?
● I’ve learned that I’m not the best in the world at anything. Or if I am now, I won’t be for long. There’s always someone better. I would say it’s really good to not focus on comparing my skills to others, but to focus on how my skills, talents, and abilities can serve someone else.
● In that case, I have a love for kids this age. They are growing up, but still want to come home. They still see wonder in the world around them and believe wonderful things can happen. They need and want help and guidance to understand what they are discovering and enter into the joy with them. I can see that, too, and I love to teach, shepherd, and guide, in addition to entertain. I’m not the best in the world at it, but kids aren’t looking for the best in the world. They’re looking for someone who sees them and makes them feel courageous, wanted, known, special, etc.
Why do readers pick other authors over you?
● Why do readers pick other authors over you? I think that world building is something I need to work on. After learning yesterday that my book falls under 'escape' and readers pick up escape to be transported into a different place/emotional feeling, I notice that my series could play that up more. That was super helpful.
Why do people read other similar stories rather than your story?
● For one, I’m not known and I don’t know if I’m appealing to my target reader well enough. I did a giveaway and a lot of my email list has come from that so far. Who are these people? Am I giving them what they need or want? I don’t know as I haven’t gotten good response from them yet. Also, I need to get published.
● Next reason: Yesterday made me realize I need to develop my world more. If my books provide an escape, the kids need to feel like they’re going into another world and be delighted by that world.
What do you do that exhausts you?
● What exhausts me? Keeping up on social media. It's hard for me to put time and attention into it over people and needs in my non-online world. Other weaknesses? Marketing or promoting myself. I have a hard time getting over the idea of saying "look at me, look at me"! I appreciated yesterday's session about guilt and the story about the ulcers. It made me realize it's not about me. It's about what I'm giving readers.
What gives you the authority to write on the subject you’re writing on?
● I'm a problem solver. I can see the problems in my own stories and edit them, which helps my writing really improve. I think that's a huge strength. I can also take feedback and integrate it well.
What gives you the authority to explore the themes in your writing
● My themes are: friendship, family, forgiveness, conquering fear, contentedness, light in the dark, etc.. My authority comes from a wealth of family. I know what a wonderful family and wonderful friendships look like. As a Christian, I know what it means to forgive, trust God rather than be afraid, be contented, etc.
Step 2 - Look at Your Readers
Who is your target reader?
● 10-12 year old kid (for this book, boys) who loves to read
What does your target reader read currently?
● Skander, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Dog Man, Keeper of the Lost Cities
How is your target reader different from other readers?
● They don’t have their own money, can’t spend their own time how they might want to. They like to read and like the familiar. They want to spend time in worlds they like and characters they like. They come from conservative, Christian backgrounds, so need guilt-free, parent-approved reads to enjoy.
Why does your target reader read books?
● To escape and also because it’s a parent-approved activity
How can you thrill your target reader?
● Wholesome Christian values/truths packaged in an intriguing world with relatable characters, fast-paced action, humor, and lots of sequels!
Step 4 - Look in Your Reader’s Mirror
What does my brand let my readers say about themselves?
● My brand allows adults of my readers (8-12 year olds) to say that they are "good or wholesome parents or family members, giving books with conservative Christian values to their kids. They might take pride or joy in the fact that the kids will be readers (rather than t.v. watchers or ipad scrollers). My brand allows the readers to be part of a tribe themselves--talking about the latest fantasy series, recommending books to their friends, comfortable sharing about the book in conservative circles (church, homeschool, friends), the readers are "in" a group. It also allows them to feel well-read, fun, and guilt-free enjoyment ("I'm reading something I like that my parents are be happy with").
What tribe does this brand give me access to?
● Christian, homeschoolers
Who are your outsiders?
● Non-Christian, people outside this age group and their parents/families
Homework For Jim’s Talk
What is the promise you are making your readers?
● Christian truths and values
● a fun, exciting world to escape into
● Superhero action
● Villain defeated, “save the day”
● Next one coming
What comes to mind when people think of you?
● Encouraging, safe/wholesome, hopefully wise and godly
What is the empathy you have for your readers?
● I have a love for kids this age. They are growing up, but still want to come home. They still see wonder in the world around them and believe wonderful things can happen. They need and want help and guidance to understand what they are discovering and enter into the joy with them. I can see that, too, and I love to teach, shepherd, and guide, in addition to entertain. I’m not the best in the world at it, but kids aren’t looking for the best in the world. They’re looking for someone who sees them and makes them feel courageous, wanted, known, special, etc.
What is the authority you have for your readers? What gives you the authority to write on the subject you’re writing on?
● I’ve been that lonesome, ordinary, scared kid. I’ve learned to lean on God for His help with that. I have an abundance of family, so know what wonderful relationships look like. I’ve taught and have kids. I want to shepherd and guide them to lean on God for help.
Find a website that makes it about them, and brainstorm how you would change that website to make it about the website visitor. What are two things you would change?
● Going to do mine. I think I don’t offer too much for readers. I have my banner which is a picture of me and a big ‘about the author’ picture and my ebook picture…I need to offer something (copy and banner) for my reader along with my ebook, something that appeals to my target reader, what they like, what themes will appeal to them in my writing.
Who is your target reader? Describe them in one sentence:
● 10-12 year old who loves to discover new worlds and return to familiar characters
To stand out, we must shock/surprise/delight Broca on a regular basis. How have you, or how are you going to, shock/surprise/delight Broca during the next three days?
● Saying my husband’s phrase about what I do to someone: “I dress truth in superhero tights”
● Be more clear that I’m appealing to Christian families in my responses (not so shocking in this course, but staking a bold claim for me)
● Allow myself to use humor in all my responses, not just my story (I need to stop toning myself down. I do this all the time because I think I’ll be more liked. Even my mom was surprised by the humor in my writing.)
● Imagine unique ways to delight my reader in deepening and developing my superhero world
You know your brand has to be organic. What is different, unique, quirky, surprising about you that can/does define you as a person? How are you organically compelling?
● Everyday humor, unexpected metaphors, I think people are surprised that I am a little oddball. I seem very plain, studious, and serious. I am in some ways, but I’m also funny and energetic/driven and creatively unexpected. It takes people by surprise. I also am not about myself or try not to be. That helps with the “looking at my reader”. I don’t need to make it about myself. I’m interested in other people and going below the surface in answers and understanding (drawing out depth in people). I’ve never thought about how that can apply to fiction writing and my readers.
In what areas do you need to give yourself permission to be you?
● Using humor and creative responses to people (see above)
In what two areas are you going to focus on where you’ll make your content surprising/entertaining/provocative/engaging?
● Story writing, website, community responses