You walk into a bookstore, and two books sit beside each other on the shelve. Enough change jingles in your pocket for one book only. Both have great covers, and both are written by your favorite authors.
Which are you going to take to the register? The one you need, the one that will help with a problem you've been struggling with.
That is how most people shop, and that's how I try to write. I can write the most spectacular fantasy book ever with detail, a unique plot, and riveting characters, but what good is it if it doesn't address a need in the reader's life?
Know you audience. Before you sit down and write (or if you're halfway through) sit down and think about who your audience is going to be. Are they teens dealing with rejection? Are they doctors living with the guilt of working at an abortion clinic?
Whatever you do, make sure you address a need and not a want.
Become an expert in using scenes, images, phrases, anything to get your theme across. Subtly is the big word. Decades ago the Christian market produced mystery books where the main character quoted scripture as she was cornered by the villain. That would never make it in the general Christian market now. That might be why the Christian market has just recently taken off.
Would you like to try saying what the theme of your book is about? How about a theme you'd like to write on?
Which are you going to take to the register? The one you need, the one that will help with a problem you've been struggling with.
That is how most people shop, and that's how I try to write. I can write the most spectacular fantasy book ever with detail, a unique plot, and riveting characters, but what good is it if it doesn't address a need in the reader's life?
Know you audience. Before you sit down and write (or if you're halfway through) sit down and think about who your audience is going to be. Are they teens dealing with rejection? Are they doctors living with the guilt of working at an abortion clinic?
Whatever you do, make sure you address a need and not a want.
Become an expert in using scenes, images, phrases, anything to get your theme across. Subtly is the big word. Decades ago the Christian market produced mystery books where the main character quoted scripture as she was cornered by the villain. That would never make it in the general Christian market now. That might be why the Christian market has just recently taken off.
Would you like to try saying what the theme of your book is about? How about a theme you'd like to write on?
4 comments:
What about those people who are searching for their Identity or have found the wrong one? I am currently working on something that I think deals with that theme a lot.
Is it a fiction or non-fiction? I hate to admit it, but non-fiction makes up 90% of the publishing these days as compared to fiction.
That sounds like a good theme! The part that really catches my attention is the part where you say they may have found the wrong identity. :)
I'm working on a story about a leper overcoming society's restraints. I can also interweave a LOT of other points, but that's the main theme right now.
Interesting idea, rel89... sounds pretty cool.
the biggest theme in my fantasy novels is that of purpose. Cliche, I know, but in today's day and age of evolution and "ooze to you" thinking, what purpose does an "accident" like humanity have? None, of course... but then again, we aren't accidents, are we?
Hey, on a separate and unrelated side note, did you have any problems changing your theme to the Pyzam theme? I'm having a heck of a time. Keep getting error codes and what-not. It's rather frustrating!
I think your theme MIGHT be cliche, but the public is dying for it! Take the Purpose Driven Life for instance.
I had my computer savy brother, sisters, and mom do just all that for me.;)I lost all my counters, sidebar stuff, and archives I think. I had to put everything back in manually.
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