Tag: #Readers

A Letter To My Readers #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

Feb 24, 2025

Write a letter to your readers.

Dear Readers,

I knew this prompt was deceptively simple as soon as I saw it, but I’ll take my normal stab at it, and start with the easy stuff first.

Thank you.

A million times, thank you. (Although there aren’t a million of you. I wish.) I value every one of you and love meeting you at events and having the opportunity to talk with you, see your smiles. Each time another book is sold, I still get a thrill. It keeps me motivated to write the next one.

Toni Morrison advised authors they should write the book they want to read.

Which may be true, but I write for you, my readers, too. I want you to be entertained by my stories, and maybe even create the story you would write if you could.

But I should note that some of you aren’t reading my books, but are reading this, my blog. I see some of the same names show up in my likes week after week. (I see you, DirtySciFiBuddha and Esther.) I’m glad that my weekly meanderings continue to draw you back.

What else would I like to say? I want to ask y’all a favor. If you haven’t done it already, leave me a review on your favorite platform. Even a few kind words would go a long way. And maybe, just maybe, tell your friends about my books, if you’re comfortable with the notion. Maybe they’ll buy one.

But no matter what, thank you.

I appreciate you, I really do. It doesn’t matter if you’ve bought one of my books, or most of them. (Or none of them!)

How about the other authors on this hop? What are they saying to their readers? Find out by following the links to their blogs.

And, until next time, please stay safe.

Feb 24, 2025

Write a letter to your readers.

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Who I Write For #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

Do you envision a particular reader when you’re crafting your stories?

There’s this older woman, medium height, short silver hair, who loves my books.

In fact, she compared me to Janet Evanovich. Then there’s a younger woman, probably mid-thirties, with long brown hair, who has bought almost my entire collection. (And is eagerly awaiting my new book.) I shouldn’t leave out an occasional mid-twenties guy who picks up one or both of my Jake Hennessey books. I write for all of them and none of them.

I used to write for my mother. There were subplots in my Harmony series that I didn’t explore in depth because I was worried about how she’d react. She passed earlier this year, but I still find myself wondering what she’d think about what I’m writing.

But I also write for my characters. They often reveal parts of the story I hadn’t figured out. We may argue about details, but most often, they win.

Mostly, I write for me,

and hope that those readers will enjoy the stories. Maybe that’s why I’ve slowed in the speed in which I write. I’m getting pickier in my old age and stress that I’m getting details right as I’m creating. That doesn’t mean my feelings don’t get hurt when my books don’t sell in the numbers I hope for.

Writing these blog posts is different. I suspect many folks in my audience are other writers. So, I try to to share my experience without trying to look like I’m an expert. I’m not. I’m just another struggling author. But If someone can find something useful on my meanderings, I’ll gladly share them.

How about the other authors on this hop? Who do they write for? Find out by following the links below. (Most authors post on Monday, so check the page for updates.)

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

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Nov 25

Do you envision a particular reader when you’re crafting your stories?

 

Teetering In The Middle #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

June 6, 2022

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?

There are times we authors ask a lot of our readers. We ask them to believe that there’s a world out there where the sky is green, or that shifters live among us. Or maybe it’s something as simple as a jewel thief falling in love with a librarian. The readers are asked to believe that something seemingly impossible is true.

At the same time, we have to make sure the readers are comfortable enough with the characters and the story to keep turning the page. Are they expecting romance? Or suspense? They should be included.

Just this afternoon, I had a conversation with my mother about my latest release, “The Fall of Jake Hennessey” and how it makes her uncomfortable when she’s reading it and she meant it as a compliment. After all, my main character, Jake Hennessey, is not a good guy, but I’ve asked the reader to connect with him as he’s robbing a hotel safe or breaking into a mansion and rejoice with him when he succeeds. I’m not surprised that made my mother hesitant.

Writing Jake at his worst was hard, so I tried to balance his actions as a villain by including scenes where he’s shown as a decent guy. However, I left it up to the reader to decide if he’s truly doing it from the goodness of his heart or if it’s a way to manipulate the characters he’s involved with. Of course, he’s met his match In Harmony Duprie.

As usual, Harmony’s mind was a step ahead of his.

She picked up an armload of the books from her coffee table and carried them to the bookshelf. “There’s always a rational explanation for two people getting together. But not us,” she said as she returned them to their places. “Why can’t I find it?”

Harmony was slipping out of Jake’s grasp. Which meant he’d lose his chance at The Three Musketeers, the prize he’d been working for. But the longer he was around her, the more he realized she was the real prize. “Isn’t that like asking the meaning of life?” he asked.

“Why are you working in the construction business, Jake?”

The abrupt change in topic sent his mind spinning. “Because I like to eat. Why?”

“You keep going all philosophical on me, and I can’t tie the two things together. What would you do if money wasn’t an issue?”

He couldn’t tell her about the joy he got from a successful heist. “You know what I’d really like to do? Bring old houses back to life. That’s what brought me to Oak Grove.”
From The Fall of Jake Hennessey

 

I believe that it’s part of an author’s job to challenge their readers. How much is up to each of us. Finding the right balance can be tough and can change from story to story.

How do the other authors feel about challenging their readers? Follow the links below to find out. 

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

June 6, 2022

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.

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