By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
The best part of writing is you, the reader. Last week I shared “A Fiction Writer’s Hardest Task”, and this week I want to talk about the fun stuff. My list may not contain every writer’s favorite moments, but these are most treasured to me.
Entertain
A writer’s stories are built on a foundation of pleasing readers. That’s why I write. I want you to be carried away into my story world and be swept away into an exciting journey.
Evoke Emotion
This is what keeps a reader turning pages. I want you to experience vicariously every emotion imaginable through my character. This means I use literary techniques such as: character goals, sentence rhythm, hard and soft consonants, conflict in dialogue, personality traits, sensory perception, the psychology of color and numbers, and other means to ensure a reader feels the story.
Many times the reader is able to take an emotional passage and apply it to a similar event in their own life. This increases the emotional adventure.
Inspire
When readers close a book, I long for them to reflect on the story happenings and be moved to attempt a feat on their own. This could be motivation to gain more education, be a better person, make changes in their personal, mental, or spiritual life, or attempt what previously seemed impossible.
Encourage
Everyone needs encouragement, the spark of support that he/she is a great person and can accomplish great things. I love to give readers a burst of you-are-loved-and-wonderful.
Feedback
Receiving emails, texts, and social media comments from readers may sound prideful, but a reader’s opinion and suggestions are valuable assets to my writing career. Bring them on—the good and the not-so-good.
Satisfaction
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the joy of seeing a book on a retailer’s shelf, a compliment on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media. Thank you for spurring me on to write.
What gratification do you receive from your career, gifts, friendships, talents, and hobbies?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
Library Tip: Encourage patrons to comment on writer’s social media platforms. The writer will be so pleased!
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Comments 6
One of my favorite parts about my writing journey is meeting you.
xoxoxo
Oh, Julie, we are sister-friends. I treasure the day we met.
DiAnn, you’ve been such an encourager to me through the years. Not sure I would have continued without your help and push to keep going. You’re the best. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Blessings on your writing. Love ya!
Janetta, you made my day! Thank you for the encouragement and keep writing! You are incredibly talented and have a wit that few writers ever attain.
As a reader, I love love love interacting with authors and it’s even better when they respond. Makes me smile all day long.
Receiving a kind word from a boss, coworker, or client always spurs me on to do better and work harder. I take pride in shooting for excellence. But my favorite thing is to share a good book with friends and find out they loved it too!
Thanks, Barbara! No matter what we do, establishing and maintaining relationships are what really matters.