Writers - Develop A Relationship With Your Readers

Fran Lee Strickland

Writing fiction is more complicated than ever. Gone are the days when an introverted lover of words can just lock herself into a room and hammer out page after page until the two most loved words in a writer's vocabulary are typed..... The End. These days an aspiring writer, or even an established one for that matter, must interact with her readers along the journey. There is blogging to be done. Pins to be pinned. And status updates to be updated.

The writing should be the hard part, but I am quickly learning that it may very well be the easy portion of this journey. Technology today provides so much opportunity to meet the world while sitting comfortably in your living room. Stepping out from behind my page of words to greet the public is, to say the least, somewhat intimidating, but I am convinced that God gives us the grace to do what He has called us to do.

So it is with reservation, but confidence, that I'm taking classes on blogging, learning about self promotion, marketing, publicity, and making connections with published authors, editors, and agents. If you are passionate about being a writer and are seeking guidance about the steps you should take, from the actual writing to reader relationship, I would like to share some of what I've learned while writing my first novel. And, yes, I'm still working on it. Because of a full time career in finance management my writing time is restricted to evenings and weekends.

1. First of all, pray. Ask God to guide your words and to send the right people to help you along the way. He will. I am still amazed at the number of well established people in the industry whom I have met within the last two years.

2. Join a local writer's group. The ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) organization www.acfw.com has regional chapters all over the country. They are a wonderful resource for taking online classes, networking with other writers, and learning about writing opportunities.

3. Attend writing conferences. You will learn things you didn't even know you needed to know and your attendance will indicate to those potential editors that you are serious about your writing. Forking out dollars for the registration fee, accommodations and food shows you are willing to make the investment necessary to establish your writing career.

4. Join a critique group. Fortunately, my writing group, the  ACFW-SC Chapter, provides a speaker for each meeting but also reserves time for critique sessions. Having someone critique your work and give good knowledgeable feedback is invaluable. It will sharpen your skills.

5. Think about your platform as you write. Select themes and ideas from your story that you can use to create Pinterest boards and to blog about. Your readers will want to interact with you about the characters, settings, and ideas.

6. Learn to blog. It will be your form of expression. Your readers will get to know you and you will earn their trust. Reveal things about yourself. Let them know you are interested in them. What was it Theodore Roosevelt said? People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. For more information on managing the social media environment visit The Write Conversation.

Writing is a two way relationship. Long after you have penned the words "The End", the story preceding those words will linger in your reader's minds and they will have questions. After all, isn't that why we write? To stimulate the mind, entertain the senses and encourage our readers. In return they will motivate us to keep writing. How many times have you heard someone say, "I can't wait until her next book comes out". Can you imagine any more beautiful words?