Well, as a writer, the only way I can answer that question is to share what I’ve been asked by talking with readers at book events and filling out interview questionnaires.
Usually, questions are about the writing process while some are about personal perceptions about certain experiences. I can imagine the vast variation of responses from writer to writer!!
On this blog, I’m going to share a few of the questions asked and how I answered them.
The following questions have been asked more than once:
DO YOU TRY MORE TO BE ORGINAL OR TO DELIVER TO READERS WHAT THEY WANT?
I try to be original. I strive to present something fresh and new to readers as much as possible. At times, having some elements in the story that are familiar to the readers is needed, but it is mixed in with something I hope is surprising.
DO YOU READ YOUR BOOK REVIEWS? HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH BAD OR GOOD ONES?
Yes, when I can find them. I am grateful for the good ones and enjoy the details the readers relate in their reviews, especially when they describe how they felt as they read the story. I haven’t had a truly ‘bad’ review. If I were to talk about the few reviews that are less than 5 stars, I do value them in that the details offered can be enlightening. I know that not everyone will like everything about a particular story or my writing style.
A question that I have given a variety of answers:
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A WRITER WORKING ON THEIR FIRST BOOK?
-Don’t quit. And don’t get hung up on details when you’re writing your first draft. Get the story down. Worry about the plot holes, spelling, and grammar later. No one ever writes a perfect manuscript the first time around!
-Do what it takes to finish it. Proofread, proofread, and proofread again, and find an editor you can afford. They will keep you from embarrassing yourself by finding the mistakes made that you missed! Unless you have a graphic arts degree, hire someone to do your cover art! And don’t give up trying to get it out to the readers!
-You feel you have a story to write, do it! Don’t stop until it is done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or take classes to hone your writing abilities! Find an editor that you can afford. It is so important to get fresh eyes on your work and catch the mistakes before anyone else sees it! Believe me, my editor has caught some very embarrassing foibles! Find ways to get your stories out there. Try to be as careful as you can with whom you form partnerships with. There are good people out there, but there are also scammers. Get great cover art that best represents your story and captures the readers’ attention! Learn to write engaging and eye-catching blurbs! It’s important to boil your story down to the fewest lines possible! After you get your story out there and you think that’s all you have to offer, don’t believe that. You will be amazed how a new story can suddenly come to you!
If you would like to see more blogs like this, ‘like’ this one and I’ll share more questions and answers! Do you have any questions you would like answered? Ask through the comments!