Friday. Today is the last day of my blog tour with CFBA. Overall, I’d say it has been a very positive (thanks, Judy!) experience. I did read one stink-o review 🙁 from someone who admitted she disliked The Fence My Father Built from the get-go. Sigh. At least she was honest, although I’m still smarting. Don’t know about you, but when my work is rejected I feel as if I’ve failed somebody. Writers want to make connections with their readers. When we miss, we mourn the loss of connection. I’m confessing here because I know you’re dying to know I’m human just like you. Even though I know too well that God is the only one who loves always us in spite of our shortcomings. And different strokes for different folks, right?
Writing Tip for Today: Not everyone is going to love your work. All too often, writers market books as fit for every audience. We foolishly believe that because our spouse, mom or Aunt Myrtle loved it, that everyone on earth will go nuts for it too. When you write your query letter or proposal package for an agent, know your reader. Be able to name the genre your book fits into, where on the shelf a reader might find your work. What books are similar or different? In fact, as you write, keep a mental “jury” of twelve, the people who you’d most like to wow with your writing. Refer to this panel often. If you spot any on the jury frowning or nodding off, rethink your manuscript. Your readers will thank you.
Hi Linda.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Very good to meet you. Awesome that you are also into art. I know what you mean about when you became a Christain; I was the same way. I even gave up writing for a number of years until the Lord gave me a dream.
I live in New Zealand and sadly, my copy of your book got lost in the mail.
May the Lord bless you and your writing. May He also bless your art.
Rulan
Thanks for posting about my book–if you like, I’ll have them ship another one. Let me know, OK? I live in Oregon, where I teach writing and one of my students is vacationing in NZ right now. Blessings, Linda
You are welcome. It is a way to help authors. 🙂
Thanks, that would be lovely. It would be good to read your book. Cool that one of your students is visiting NZ. I’ve heard of many Americans coming here and not wanting to leave. I hope they enjoy their vacation.
Blessings to you also.
Rulan
I will need your snail address. Could you email me please? Thanks, Lindas352@comcast.net
Hi Linda,
Thank you so much for offering to send me another copy of your book. I just wanted to let you know that there’s now no need to send me one. The copy that got lost in the mail has arrived in my box today. Praise God.
I look forward to reading it. Thank you again. I hope you keep in touch.
Have a wonderful weekend, and all the best with your book.
Rulan