Top 10 Tips to becoming an author
December 11th 2006 02:39
Imagine getting together with your girlfriends and hitting the town for dinner and an evening checking out the much-anticipated new chick flick. You’ve got your popcorn, kicked off those killer heels (well, it is dark in the cinema for a reason) and have your Kleenex at the ready. Now imagine, instead of romance, gorgeous fashion, hunky guys and a happy ending, you got a car chase, an alien invasion, and a heavy metal soundtrack. How would you feel?
Pissed off. Like you had wasted an evening. And money on the ticket. You’d never recommend the film to anyone and you wouldn’t ever go and see a film by the same creators again.
Now imagine that film was a book.
If you want your book to hit a chord with readers, make them tell everyone about it, and further down the track, buy your next one, you need to know your readers. You need to be very aware of their expectations, their likes and dislikes – and then give it to them.
Chances are, if you have started writing a book you probably have some sort of idea about who your audience is. It might be children, or readers of romance, or science fiction nerds. But to really nail it with your readers, you need to know more.
For example, say your audience is readers of romance novels. That’s already pretty specific. But do you know what readers of romance novels look for in a book? Do they like plot-lines of unrequited love or do they prefer the notion of star-crossed lovers? Or do they not mind, but care more about location or social standing of the characters? You need to be that specific.
The best way to get this information is to read, read and then read some more. Study the most successful books that you consider have a similar audience to yours. If you see re-occurring themes, style, plot elements or other characteristics, there’s a good chance the audience responds well to them.
I always think that really good books are written by those who enjoy those books themselves. Don’t dismiss your own instincts – if you like something about a book, chances are others will too.
Once you’ve got a clear image in your head about who you are telling the story too, you will be amazed how easy it is to get writing.
Return soon for more tips on becoming an author!
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