tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post4886329939303665575..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: The Importance of Knowing & Writing For Our Target ReadersJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20073261176380007002011-07-14T10:13:32.710-04:002011-07-14T10:13:32.710-04:00I hope it doesn't seem self-serving to mention...I hope it doesn't seem self-serving to mention it, but my last post at Branch92.com discusses the "R" word, rejection, in what I hope is a constructive way. If you happen to get around to it, please feel free to leave a comment.F.J. Dagghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729587142147896521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45673676963048670542011-07-14T04:42:37.946-04:002011-07-14T04:42:37.946-04:00Great points - I hope I can get good at not expect...Great points - I hope I can get good at not expecting everyone to like what I write. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-82163597385486795242011-07-13T07:16:05.653-04:002011-07-13T07:16:05.653-04:00Kristen, Great question! I think genre fans can in...Kristen, Great question! I think genre fans can involve a wide age range. And it is hard to narrow down exact ages of who will like your book the most. For example, my book probably appeals most to middle age women. That doesn't mean younger and older won't read it. But middle age are a huge readership of inspirational romances. So I do need to take that into consideration. But mostly, I look at my genre fans as a whole and try to determine what anyone who loves a historical romance would enjoy.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-75203637727903778742011-07-13T00:01:17.124-04:002011-07-13T00:01:17.124-04:00I agree. I particularly liked that you said we sho...I agree. I particularly liked that you said we should work to please genre fans. When you hear or read about writing proposals and they talk about your target market, I often hear that we need to define the age demographic. That always felt too narrow for me. I'm not saying everyone will like my book, but to say women 20-35 just seemed too narrow. Who's to say a 45 year old woman won't like it.<br />Am I taking too much away from your statements, or do you think that's correct?<br /><br />Thanks!Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14683245998938431038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81767307371508781092011-07-12T21:00:33.919-04:002011-07-12T21:00:33.919-04:00Excellent post Jody, there are so many critics out...Excellent post Jody, there are so many critics out there we just have to keep focused. It's easy for others to criticize it's much harder for us to sort out what we can actually use from that criticism without our emotions coming into play. The longer you are exposed to that criticism the more you can critically analyze it and actually have something to take away from their words.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046515540256155412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22117134148701237372011-07-12T17:37:32.418-04:002011-07-12T17:37:32.418-04:00Hi Jody! I haven't been here in awhile... I&#...Hi Jody! I haven't been here in awhile... I've missed hearing from you! This post is especially for us non-fiction writers (although I know that wasn't your intent) as our target readers are the ones who will love our books... and others may completely disagree with our philosophy. My book has gotten some stinging reviews from people who had different ideas on pregnancy than I do and I need to remember that those women are not who I'm writing for.Erin MacPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11665098986271579372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-53207878475847475902011-07-12T13:47:10.328-04:002011-07-12T13:47:10.328-04:00I've had to swallow an honest critique this we...I've had to swallow an honest critique this week and now I'm re-writing a book that was all in rhyme and I'd checked the meter a thousand times (186+ stanzas). I'd even subbed it to my dream agent. I was told that even the best rhymers wouldn't attempt that. Tis true but I wanted to be the second person I know of in the world to do it. I've only just started it in prose but its already funnier and in my voice. So, I'm happy and it will work out in the end. <br /><br />You're going to have to come up with a code word for the Doctor's Lady I'm getting too excited :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-58138658720808667592011-07-12T07:13:49.636-04:002011-07-12T07:13:49.636-04:00Hi Jody - I think the answer really depends on whe...Hi Jody - I think the answer really depends on where you are in your publishing career. With a first book, it's so hard to know what the outcome will be. People are either going to love it or hate it. Few will fall in the middle. At least that's my experience to date, and fortunately nobody has written to say they hate my book! Some writers will stick to one genre, like yourself, and that's what you will become known for. With the feedback I'm getting from readers, I think I'll be read more for style than for falling into a particular genre. My next book is nothing like the first, it's a women's fiction novel set in the backwoods of Maine, while my first was a romance that took place in a warzone! But my hope is that readers who enjoyed Yesterday's Tomorrow will pick up Hidden the Heart when it comes out because they know what to expect in my writing. I don't want to become one of those authors who crank out the same story with different characters book after book after book. Sure I might make a million bucks doing it, but I think it might get a little boring after a while!!Catherine Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16075571140881352399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-25637497723104064312011-07-12T02:34:14.035-04:002011-07-12T02:34:14.035-04:00The uncertainty over whether everyone (or anyone) ...The uncertainty over whether everyone (or anyone) will like our writing can be cushioned by getting lots of feedback from critique partners, beta readers and contests before attempting publication. That should help prepare us for for facing evaluations from industry professionals and the reading public. I like your suggestion about knowing which opinions matter.<br /><br />I write mostly for myself right now, but then I'm not published yet so maybe that's something I need to think about. You always provide thought-provoking posts, Jody!Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51882178228024258862011-07-11T23:28:43.726-04:002011-07-11T23:28:43.726-04:00I think it's a balance of knowing your genre a...I think it's a balance of knowing your genre and also knowing your voice. <br />And then there's the aspect of knowing where your sense of worth comes from. Is it from how many positive reviews I receive? Or is it something more eternal than that?<br />I'm not saying I stay focused on the truth--the right perspective--all the time. But I know what the right perspective is. And I am thankful for the community of writers I associate with you remind me where my value comes from.Beth K. Vogthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04032849469366266791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41554098099945251512011-07-11T21:16:25.551-04:002011-07-11T21:16:25.551-04:00I'm trying to prepare myself for this now. I d...I'm trying to prepare myself for this now. I don't want people to feel bad if they don't like my book, and I don't want to feel bad either! LOL<br />Well said, Jody. :-) Oh, and I'm planning to write a post about me being my reader. Because my target peeps read the same stuff I do! (I hope, lol)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30154525717597086322011-07-11T19:00:17.091-04:002011-07-11T19:00:17.091-04:00I have a difficult time deciding on whether to mak...I have a difficult time deciding on whether to make my kids books "christian" or just "regular." That has been my biggest struggle so far. :O)Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07604687906788800639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24288604966957756922011-07-11T18:08:54.180-04:002011-07-11T18:08:54.180-04:00I agree and John Locke, best-selling author and au...I agree and John Locke, best-selling author and author of "How I Sold 1 Million e-Books in 5 Months" agrees with you too. That's a major part of John's advice - know your audience and write to and market to them.<br />I also think your advice about reading everything you can get your hands on in your genre is right on. I started really focusing on studying books in my genre about a year ago and it has made a huge difference in my writing. I'm tighter, less all over the place.<br />I enjoy your posts; thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00563981360503232129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3273941510054503502011-07-11T16:18:58.511-04:002011-07-11T16:18:58.511-04:00I agree with your thoughts. I also think it's ...I agree with your thoughts. I also think it's worth saying that only a true friend feels comfortable to tell you her honest thoughts.Jenn Hhttp://www.jennhoyt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-85381055367945900102011-07-11T16:02:58.520-04:002011-07-11T16:02:58.520-04:00Great post.
So in my day job, I learned that you ...Great post.<br /><br />So in my day job, I learned that you can't please all of the people all of the time (I work with computers). Not just in the market in general, but in your target market.<br /><br />I've come up with a personal rule to deal with that. I shoot for pleasing 80% of my market.<br /><br />So with my writing, I'd be absolutely ecstatic if I could have an average review of 4 stars outa 5. Even within my genre (urban fantasy). It'll be a lot of work to get there, but it's a goal.<br /><br />I've also found that I can't learn as well from positive feedback, so I do like some negative feedback, especially if it's constructive.<br /><br />And some negative feedback can even be positive. "There wasn't much fantasy action and the sex scenes were way too graphic" would be great feedback for a paranormal romance, heavy on the romance.Roxanne Skellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16247960958291876302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-73780697866201801802011-07-11T14:04:45.608-04:002011-07-11T14:04:45.608-04:00This was so great, Jody. I am a people pleaser an...This was so great, Jody. I am a people pleaser and I really worry that if/when I get published my friends won't like my books, because, well, they're written for ten-year-olds. But you are right. I think we need to focus on our audience and be okay with not entertaining everyone.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44409424878027784162011-07-11T13:32:14.989-04:002011-07-11T13:32:14.989-04:00I agree in general about knowing your target audie...I agree in general about knowing your target audience. That is after all, a cardinal rule for any kind of writing, and it certainly applies to fiction. <br /><br />But on the other hand, something in me chafes at the idea of toeing a bright line, of keeping my writing slavishly within arbitrary parameters--parameters which, after all, must be subjective. <br /><br />Fiction, to be nourishing (for both reader and author), must reflect life, and life doesn't fit neatly into the boxes that genres define. For the effort of writing to be worthwhile, I find I must aim a bit higher than simply satisfying a "genre checklist." The result is a blurring of the borders of genres, which, while it carries the risk of alienating those who take the idea of genre most seriously, leads me to think that my writing is ultimately truer, and better, for it.F.J. Dagghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729587142147896521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64144189349291952372011-07-11T12:12:29.403-04:002011-07-11T12:12:29.403-04:00Re: your friend's comment. There are some genr...Re: your friend's comment. There are some genres I don't like, but I can still appreciate a well-written book. (I say this not knowing exactly what your friend's "criticism" was.) <br /><br />It's true we can't please everyone. It's also true, as you say, that we write in a certain genre that not everyone is going to relate to. Hopefully, however, if it's a good story and well-written, our target audience will like it. <br /><br />You do have a good attitude, that comes from experience. It isn't easy to shake off a negative response, but we all have to do it.<br /><br />As always, Jody, this is an excellent and thought-provoking post.<br /><a href="http://anncarbinebest.com/" rel="nofollow"><i>Ann Best, Memoir Author</i></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-54858161733333781132011-07-11T11:05:10.279-04:002011-07-11T11:05:10.279-04:00A wise writer friend once told me "our books ...A wise writer friend once told me "our books aren't for everyone." This has really freed me.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28055573992115604232011-07-11T11:01:19.741-04:002011-07-11T11:01:19.741-04:00I think if the writing is good, you will naturally...I think if the writing is good, you will naturally pick up readers outside of the genre.<br /><br />I agree, you can't please everyone. It takes time to really be able to hear an honest opinion without feeling all red in the face. I don't have a book published yet, but I've learned in 10 years of writing to really listen to what the readers of our work have to say.<br /><br />Great post.Loree Huebnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845600356878587780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-52321881345656183842011-07-11T10:58:52.711-04:002011-07-11T10:58:52.711-04:00So hard to not have everyone love our stories. You...So hard to not have everyone love our stories. You're so right though and you made some very good points.Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60949597319457831582011-07-11T10:49:19.464-04:002011-07-11T10:49:19.464-04:00I don't have a published novel (yet!), but I t...I don't have a published novel (yet!), but I think I'd have such a hard time hearing negative comments about something I love so much. And yet I know that is part of the experience. It's so true we can't please everyone, in regular life and in the writing life.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-17011479549642121182011-07-11T09:36:24.229-04:002011-07-11T09:36:24.229-04:00You gave a graet tip of reading the authors by the...You gave a graet tip of reading the authors by the publishing house you're interested in. I've been reading books in my genre, but I haven't looked at the other authors from the same publisher. I think I will do that next!<br /><br />Thanks for a great post.Nicole Basarabahttp://www.universecityblog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12729671713808857772011-07-11T09:09:39.369-04:002011-07-11T09:09:39.369-04:00Great post Jody! I've always written for mysel...Great post Jody! I've always written for myself with myself in mind. But I hear the voice that says: "One day other people will read this, and will they like it?"<br /><br />I feel I know my genre well. Or, I hope I do. Only time and an agent will tell!Tegan Allenhttp://www.teganallen.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43790079341735109442011-07-11T09:08:12.726-04:002011-07-11T09:08:12.726-04:00Jody--It's a relief to know that your friend&#...Jody--It's a relief to know that your friend's feedback was taken kindly, as I'm sure that's how she intended it. <br /><br />And you're right--not every reader will enjoy every genre. They can appreciate what's good about the book--the writing, the historical education, and even the fact that they are supporting a friend's efforts by purchasing the book--and yet, at the end of the day, they realize that this genre is not for them.<br /><br />As far as your theory, I see nothing wrong with targeting a specific audience, and striving to tailor our product to that audience...but speaking for myself, I still don't aim to please them first and foremost. There is One whose opinion of my work is far more important to me than anyone else's, and He is the one I strive to please, first and foremost. As long as I'm sure my work pleases Him, and brings Him honor, I am satisfied.<br /><br />~ Betsy7 Eagleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15804058365269490087noreply@blogger.com