HW #2 (both)
This is going to be ridiculously long 😅 There were a few things I didn’t answer because I need further clarity but I wanted to go ahead and post this now so it’s done, can always edit answers later.
Side note: I’ve been challenged on the whole “ideal reader” in the past and I REALLY struggled with it, so I was thrilled to have some clarity on the subject and I definitely made some headway on this topic that I had not been able to grasp before, so that was exciting. Now… HOW TO USE THIS POWER FOR GOOD AND NOT EVIL?!
Homework For Thomas
Step 1 - Look in the Mirror
What are your strengths?
● I’m very good at research
● I have had many different jobs and career paths over the years that has given me a broad life experience among a variety of people
● I have an lively sense of humor and am emotionally resilient
● I am good at “reading the room” and adjusting accordingly
What are you the best in your world (writing) at?
● Dialogue
● Character-driven writing that taps into readers’ emotions.
● I think also being a reader of all genres (and no small amount of non-fiction) I am quite versatile in my interests and writing ability
● Swoony, emotionally-driven romance
● I consider myself a storyteller first and foremost. This can actually double as a weakness because I know my writing is flawed and needs work (but it’s improved greatly over the course of the last two years).
Why do readers pick other authors over you?
● At its most basic I think it’s because I’m still new and growing my readership.
● See below (I feel like there is a lot of overlap between this question and the next)
Why do people read other similar stories rather than your story?
● One of my biggest challenges is being a Christian author who does not write Christian fiction—or at least “obvious” Christian fiction (there is no questions however those beliefs seep in). My books often straddle lines that confuse other readers. For example, my romances are neither spicy nor squeaky clean. I use some mild language when appropriate to the environment (say, a war scenario). At this time, I’m still finding my audience.
● I don’t write YA which is a HUGE market in the fantasy genre. On the other hand, most adult fantasy is epic and mine are more low-key.
● The “fierce female warrior” type is a big draw to current fantasy, and I don’t do that. My books are typically more male-centric.
What do you do that exhausts you?
● Edits! (I actually enjoy them but they drain me)
● Book launches (oh, the irony)
What are your unfair advantages?
● I haven’t a clue at this time, LOL
What gives you the authority to write on the subject you’re writing on?
PERSONAL SIDE NOTE: this was so hard because it means I had to actually, like, say something positive about myself that wasn’t rooted in self-deprecating humor.
● My little tribe of rabid fans. I don’t have many but they affirm my storytelling and I’m so thankful for them.
● My books have won awards (ok, just one so far and it wasn’t a big one) or in the running for some (including Realm Makers)
What gives you the authority to explore the themes in your writing
● I do. I give myself authority, MUAHAHAHHAA
Step 2 - Look at Your Readers
Who is your target reader?
● My target reader is a woman, skews toward Millennial but my books have a VERY broad age appeal.
● She reads many books over the course of the year. She is definitely a “Goodreads” reader
● She likes lighter, more accessible fantasy. She doesn’t have the time or mental bandwidth to dive into Sanderson’s 6,497,037 books.
● She enjoys feeling all the things. Probably an Enneagram 4, LOL.
● She loves all the family/found family vibes
● She loves romance but doesn’t want it too frisky.
What does your target reader read currently?
● A lot of YA fantasy
● Possibly a fan of the classics (I tend to write in 3rd person omniscient and that often appeals to classic readers)
How is your target reader different from other readers?
● My reader truly craves books with meaningful relationships. This can be with family or friends or spouses—it just needs to be authentic and real.
Why does your target reader read books?
● To escape, most definitely
How can you thrill your target reader?
● I thrill them by putting my characters through tRaUmA and hEaRtBrEaK but usually give them a HEA in the end. Well, the ones who make it out alive 😉
Step 3 - Listen to Your Readers
What do readers like about you?
● Dialogue/banter
● The characters and their relationships
● Swoony but not spicy romance
● Accessible fantasy (I’ve had a lot of readers say, “I don’t normally care for fantasy but I love yours”). I think this is because it’s really more character driven and not epic
● I make them FEEL things
What are the themes and topics that come up?
● Shining light in the darkness
● Healthy, non-toxic family relationships
● Positive portrayal of men as fathers/sons/friends
What words do they mention in their reviews?
● Banter
● Relationships
● Swoon
● Heartfelt
● Family
What do people say about you when they talk to each other?
● That I’m a heartbreaker, hehehhee
● But oddly, I’m also funny
Step 4 - Look in Your Reader’s Mirror
What does my brand let my readers say about themselves?
● I’ve had quite a few people say “I haven’t read/enjoyed fantasy before but I really loved this” so I like to think it allows them to now call themselves a fantasy reader.
What tribe does this brand give me access to?
● I’m … not sure
Who are your outsiders?
● People who want to read very “Christian” fiction
● People who want spicy romantasy
● People who want epic/high fantasy
Homework For Jim
What is the promise you are making your readers?
Recycling that whole “why you write” thing because it really fits this, I think.
● That they can escape into worlds where goodness, courage, and nobility of heart prevails. A world where familial love, friendship, and romantic love is shown with an aching beauty.
What comes to mind when people think of you?
● Intelligent, highly enthusiastic, friend, passionate, a little fiery at times, silly/wacky around my friends
What is the empathy you have for your readers?
● I … don’t think I fully understand this one yet so this probably needs to be explored more deeply over time.
What is the authority you have for your readers? What gives you the authority to write on the subject you’re writing on?
● See previous answer
What gives you the authority to explore the themes in your writing
● See previous answer
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?
● Ok I spent about 15 minutes looking up various, random websites and to be honest, they all did a good job at this. MAYBE this is because they ARE successful companies, so the fact they think about their customer is what makes them successful. I will say though, Killer Nashville’s website was fantastic and took that extra step in really making it focused on YOU.
Who is your target reader? Describe them in one sentence:
● She is a young to middle-aged woman who enjoys accessible fantasy that makes her feel all the things and is heavy on character, relationships, and a bit of romance.
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?
● So I actually love marketing on IG and I’m deep into marketing my third book right now. And after I heard this talk I made a specific reel that starts off rather whimsical and light and it goes unexpectedly dark, all set to Pure Imagination. I cackled over this. It didn’t do well (probably made it too long) but that’s ok, I thought it was hysterical.
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?
● I put on a persona of being a grumpy/anti-social curmudgeon but I’m really a people-loving softie and everyone knows it, hahahhaa
In what areas do you need to give yourself permission to be you?
● I think it’s time to be a little bolder engaging with other authors. I still feel like the “new kid” and that sense of “I’m not worthy” to engage with them (despite having cultivated some friendship with some excellent far-bigger-fish authors). I am worthy of communicating with them.
In what two areas are you going to focus on where you’ll make your content surprising/entertaining/provocative/engaging?
In the immediate future? Newsletters and my engagement in this class 😉