Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Midwest Office: IL
Today, let’s sum up our take-aways from this week’s case studies. There’s no limit to the books we could have analyzed, but I chose phenomenal successes in hopes the clues would be easy to find and the resulting applications might be easier to envision, no matter which genre you write in. I’ll start the discussion with a few observations.
First and foremost, of course, is God’s blessing on your project for his purposes and timing. If you feel passionate about something, and it is in full agreement with Scripture, perhaps God is pressing you to write about it within your genre. If you feel an urgency to the matter, his timing may be an important factor. It is not by accident that you are living here and now and that you have a desire and gift to write.
Be in touch with current trends in culture, politics, regional, national, and world events. You can gain insight into the specific felt needs these events prompt in potential readers. It’s about timing. Making reference to—or actually addressing—any of these elements, depending on your genre and what you are writing about, could add relevance to current readers, while providing historical background for future readers.
When you do research for a book, don’t neglect in-depth research into the people who are your target audience. You may find nuances and insights into their struggles, joys, and hopes that you were previously unaware of. Incorporating these particular things into your characters or subject matter may be the special ingredient that propels reader interest.
Don’t shy away from controversial topics. If what you address is well-grounded scripturally, well-written, and provides direction or solutions, it will be a work that God can bless and use. What if Martin Luther hadn’t nailed his theses to the door or if Harriet Beecher Stowe hadn’t written that romance novel?
In each of these case studies the author(s) connected with readers in such a way that they were motivated or prompted to respond. This factor makes the book memorable and valued. And those are the kinds of books you will tell others about and give as gifts. Word-of-mouth marketing at its best.
Okay, now it’s your turn. What insights have you gained from this week’s discussion? Do other books come to mind from which you gleaned important tips? What is the strongest take-away you can apply to your WIP?
“It is not by accident that you are living here and now and that you have a desire and gift to write.” What a lovely affirmation!
BUT what I have taken away from this week is a reminder that I don’t write in a vacuum. It’s so easy to get caught up in my idea and my story forgetting that the whole point is to get people to read it. Being aware of the market, what’s selling, what’s happening in the world–it’s all so important. Currently I’m reading “Listen” by Rene Gutteredge. The prevalence of the Internet and our society’s penchant for gossip and backbiting play huge roles in this book–making it very timely. And making me consider what there might be in my manuscripts that could touch a modern-day nerve like that . . .
I’ll use two of my all-time favorite authors as examples: Debbie Macomber and Karen Kingsbury write in totally different styles, yet they serve the SAME God. Their take-away messages are powerful, spirit-filled, and leave you wanting more. Their distinct voices resonate with their readers because they have honed in on what they do best–they write from the heart and make it look easy. Superb mastery of their craft. Their books have made me dig deeper within myself, writing what I must, but with integrity and a Higher Purpose in mind.
I’m realizing how important it is to know your audience/reader and what you are bringing to them. What value you are providing them with.
This is overflowing into other areas of my life and writing. Sometimes it’s easy to get excited about what you are doing and forget it’s about others.
I’ve taken to praying that God will help my heart to be open to His message, and not just mine.
Thanks for a great week of posts.
One of my biggest a-ha moments over the last couple of years was when I realized I was writing for the Twilight set. I had resisted reading the series in the past, but my girls in youth group were bonkers for them, and I needed to figure out why. Next was trying to strike the same chord in my own work, but hopefully in a more godly way. It remains to be seen if I’ve succeeded in that. 😉
Great series this week, Mary.
I don’t think God’s blessing on a project can ever be discounted. I felt God calling me to write a story, and even though it took me several years to get to the point of publication, He never allowed me to let go of the idea He planted on my heart.
I took away two important things from this week’s discussion. Get to know your audience and do your research. I was writing while waiting for my car today, and I realized I needed to perform some additional research. Even young readers demand that things are believable in stories.
Thanks for a wonderful week of posts and discussions.
I loved the same line as Sarah: It is not by accident that you are living here and now and that you have a desire and gift to write.
What a great reminder – thanks, Mary.
I’ve noticed that when I trust in God’s timing and what He wants me to do with my writing that I grow and move forward, often in unexpected ways. Relying on Him and hopefully writing stories that will resonate with readers gives me hope and excitement for future successes.
Mary, thanks. Your second paragraph says it all. Too often we forget.
Mary, you provided a great summary of insights from these case studies. I greatly enjoyed this series and hope that there will be more in the future.
(Though I did find these “phenomenal successes” to be a bit overwhelming as well!)
Thanks so much!