Monday, May 13, 2019

Be an Influential Reader

By Guest Beth Vogt






Most authors I know like to connect with readers.

Oh, I know how authors are portrayed at times: 

1.     We’re introverted to the point of being hermits. 
2.     We protect our creative time beyond all reason, like Gollum treasures the One Ring to Rule Them All. 
3.     When we do engage in conversations, we like to talk about books—our books, other writers’ books—and anything book-related, like plots, characters, and dialogue. 

To which I say, well, yes, sometimes we are pensive. And protective. And preoccupied. And authors are #1 and #2 especially when we’re on deadline. And #3? All. The. Time. 

But even so, most authors like to connect with readers. 

It’s fun to hear what readers enjoy about a book we’ve written. Or how readers connect with a particular character. Or when a reader is encouraged by a book we’ve written—when the spiritual truth we’ve woven through our novels ministers to them or gives them hope. That’s gold.

Negative reviews . . . um . . . yeah, those are harder on us. And that’s another blog post.

During the early stages of plotting my new release, Moments We Forget, I had a casual interaction with a reader. However, our brief conversation caused me to rethink how I was writing one of the plotlines of the story. This reader asked a simple “What’s going to happen next?” kind of question, and I realized she wasn’t the only reader who would want an answer to the question.

As the author, I needed to ask the “What’s going to happen?” question if I wanted to write a novel that would satisfy my readers. By asking myself the question—and ensuring I answered it—I added deeper emotional and spiritual layers to the story. 


In writing the Thatcher Sisters series, I didn’t tie up all the loose ends at the end of book one, Things I Never Told You, which meant there would be several “What’s going to happen?” story lines continuing in book two, Moments We Forget. I didn’t do that to frustrate readers—really, I didn’t. 

I left some loose ends because life is like that. Relationships, decisions, and questions don’t always get tied up with a nice neat bow because we want them to be resolved by a certain time. And reaching the end of a book doesn’t mean that everything should be completely decided, either. Yes, there needs to be a sense of closure, of character arc—meaning the main characters have changed and discovered truth. There also should be a sense of hope. But, since one of my goals as an author is to write realistic books, I don’t believe everything has to be perfect because, well, that’s not true to life. 



I’ll be forever grateful to my reader (waving at you, Gail!) for asking me, “What’s going to happen next?” because that simple question helped me make Moments We Forget a better book. Never doubt the influence of a reader on an author! 

******

Missy here. Let's chat today about how we authors have been influenced by readers. And readers, tell us what you think it's important that we know!





Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind doors marked Never. Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, as well as a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner and a 2015 RITA Award finalist. Beth’s latest novel, Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters Series, releases from Tyndale House Publishers in May 2019. Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.



Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine.

Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again.

Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?


37 comments:

  1. Beth, welcome! We're so glad to have you back with us today!

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  2. I've looked forward to being back with everyone at Seekerville, Missy!

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  3. Welcome to Seekerville, Beth! And thanks for putting this out there... So how have readers reacted to the loose threads? I expect it's been a mixed reaction, but I'd love to hear your take on it...

    I remember loving the anticipation of the "next" installment or novel or show because I like loose ends. I like that "wait and see" style!

    I brought fresh coffee for our early risers... and we can refresh it later for the sleepyheads!

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  4. Good morning, Ruth! I'm sitting here with my favorite cup of Constant Comment tea, enjoying the quiet house -- one of the advantages of being an early riser. So far, very few people are unsettled about the loose ends in book two. And I can't "unwrite" the book, can I? ;o) I'm a plotter, and I thought out book 2 and the potential plot of book 3 before drafting Moments We Forget -- although I left room for the novel to breathe and change as I wrote, so there were some surprises for me along the way, too.

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  5. Interesting post, Beth. I expect some loose ends in a series book that I know is going to continue. It makes me want to continue reading!

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    1. Hi, Sandy: Most authors want to keep readers to keep turning pages. One of my goals in the Thatcher Sisters Series was to draw readers toward Johanna, the oldest sister. She's, um, challenging. The sister who likes things her way and isn't afraid to tell Payton and Jillian what to she thinks. But there are reasons why she is the way she is ... and I tried to drop hints about her story along the way.

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  6. I don't HAVE readers yet, but of course I want to keep them engaged when I do get them. I like to write and read series, and the best series are ones where the question for the next book grows out of an unanswered question in the first or second. For me it's a matter of asking "What if?" and "Why not?" This often grows out of a minor or secondary character. I.E., in my first Oregon Trail book, Michael flees to America after he takes the rap for his sister killing the English landlord. I asked myself, What if the sister left the convent where he'd stashed her and followed him to the Oregon Country, bent on his helping her achieve revenge on the English? And what if her plans were derailed when she falls in love with a battle-weary wagonmaster? And WHY NOT throw them together and see what happens?
    It's also good to leave some things unresolved, both because life is like that and it gives you seeds for further books. For example, Oona Moriarty does not go back to Ireland, and that's a bittersweet ending for her story, but it leaves ME with a boatload of her Irish relatives (literally) with whom I may be tasked with getting to the New World in further books. So everybody wins. They get to go to America, and I get a couple other books.
    Errands today, may be back later.
    Kathy Bailey
    Thinking ahead in New Hampshire

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    1. Good morning, Kathy! I know you're off running errands, but thanks for stopping by Seekerville first.
      Yesm "what if?" and "why not?" are important questions for everything author, as well as "why?" And "why?" needs to be a repeated question as we dig deeper into our characters and why, why, why they do the things they do. Loose ends -- yes, they can lead to the next book in a series -- but sometimes there are loose ends at the end of a series, just as there are loose ends at the end of someone's life.

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    2. Beth, so true. I prefer a bittersweet ending to a completely "happy" one. Life is often about loss. Like Scarlett O'H, who gained the whole world but lost her soul.

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  7. Oops, I think I just did a spoiler for the second book, but I haven't even signed the contract yet, so I'm hoping people will forget between now and the pub date. Sigh.

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  8. Good morning, Beth! Welcome back to Seekerville!

    I loved Things I Never Told You, and I can't wait to read your new one!

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    1. Jan: Seekerville is one of my favorite places to hang out! And thank you for telling me that you loved Things I Never Told You. I'm smiling over here -- and I'm on my fourth cup of Constant Comment! ;o)

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  9. Wow, thought provoking post, Beth. Thanks for being in Seekerville today. My first book releases next month and I am just beginning to see a few of the street team reviews. It's surprising to me what the reader viewpoint is. I know the book so well, but these new readers pick out things I hadn't noticed. Good things. I'm sure the not-so-good things are yet to come, but it is a helpful thing to see some reader's perspectives, good or bad. Thanks again. Love your books!

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    1. Congratulations on your upcoming release, Cindy! It's so exciting. Readers' perspectives are intriguing. I remember when my contemporary romance novel, Catch a Falling Star, released. The first review I read started with, "I had a hard time reading this book because the characters were so old." The hero and heroine are 36 and 38. GASP! So old! And the point of the book was struggling with dreams not coming true -- and so the main characters had to be a bit older (or at least, I thought so. If your 21 and talking about dreams not coming true it can come across as well, whiney.) On another note: I try to avoid reading reviews as much as possible. It's tempting, but it can affect your mood and your perspective on your writing.

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  10. I loved this post, because it's something I don't really ask myself. My first book wraps up nice and tight. I'm working on the second, which is about someone in the first book, but it is a stand-alone too. It makes me thing about a series I have brewing in my head and how I can leave some things hanging. Much to think about! I can't wait to get started on your book! I loved Things I Never Told You. <3

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  11. Hi Beth:

    There are loose ends and then there are loose ends!

    1. Fatal loose end: this loose end creates the possibility of destroying the HEA. Author mistake.

    2. Mean Spirited loose end: this loose end does not affect the story outcome but it seems mean of the author not to resolve: e.g., subcharacter's loveable dog was hit by car and is in the hospital. Never mentioned again.

    3. O.K. loose end: subcharacters who were hostile to each other seem to be headed for a romance of their own. Fair use of loose end to point towards a sequel. These are expected and are more foreshadowing than loose ends.

    4. Tricky loose ends: book ends with a few curious loose ends which are tied up in the Epilogue creating a second HEA! I try to write these! 

    I'm sure there are more categories of loose ends but these are the ones that I feel need mention.

    Vince

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    1. Well how fun, Vince! You have Loose End Categories. Love it. Now I'm mulling ...

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  12. Hi Beth:

    Influence with Responsibility

    Errors in new releases. Do you want to hear about these and how do you want to hear about them.

    1. Fatal Error. Whole plot is destroyed by this error. It's amazing it got by all the editors and readers.

    Pro: tell the author in private so she will not be humiliated at the next workshop she gives?

    Con: she may never learn of the error; besides, the book cannot be saved with an edit.

    2. Factual errors that do not really destroy the story. Like money in use before it was minted or a term like Realtor before there were Realtors.

    Pro: errors might be able to be fixed with a simple edit of the eBook version.

    Con: not many readers will notice the problem and it doesn't really give the reader much wrong information as would having the wrong President being assassinated.

    3. Procedural errors like having a tradesman fix something in a way no tradesman would ever do.

    Pro: if the book is part of a series now is the time to alert the author as she may be writing book two or three already.

    Con: It could shake the confidence of the author while being discovered by only a handful of readers. She may never learn about it anyway.

    How do you feel about being told of errors in your books?

    Vince

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    1. Hi, Vince: I'm both an editor and a writer, so believe me, I try to cover all the bases with my books. But I know typos and errors still happen, despite multiple read-throughs by multiple editors, which I why I don't read my books once they are published. However, my youngest daughter (she's 18 and graduates from high school) is well-trained and always catches the typos/mistakes. And she happily tells me about them. :O)
      Do I like to be told about errors in my books? It depends on who does the telling and how they do the telling. Some people can be mean-spirited rather than helpful. What's the point in that?

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  13. Hi, Beth! Welcome back to Seekerville! I love readers, talking about books, and talking about other things we have in common, like favorite tv shows, museums, and the like.

    Though, as I am on deadline at the moment, I'm doing less chatting and more introverting! :)

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    1. Hi, Erica! Yes, deadlines change everything, don't they? I'm in recovery mode now -- like recovering my house from being on deadline for the last few months.

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  14. Hi, Sherrinda: It's been so fun to count down to your book release with you! I've written both stand alones and series and there are pros and cons to writing each type of book -- but I believe there are always loose ends in either type. Hugs to you, my friend, I'm already starting the HaPpY dAnCe over here for you!

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  15. Beth, so glad you can be with us on Seekerville today! I love meeting readers. In fact, for me, it's the icing on the cake. In person is the best, but I also enjoy mixing and mingling on social media. Over the weeks and years of comments, we form a bond and a friendship. That reader-writer connection can be so powerful!

    Your series sounds intriguing! I'm cheering for Jillian and a bit worried about her after reading the blurb! Must get the book. You've hooked me, for sure!

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    1. Hi, Debby: I love connecting with readers, too. I've met a few in bookstores and I love connecting with book clubs -- those are so, so fun! And yes, I can understand why you are concerned for Jillian ...

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  16. Hello Beth! I enjoy reading your books! I'm excited to read this series!

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    1. Hi, Caryl -- nice to see you again at Seekerville! I hope you have fun meeting the Thatcher Sisters.

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  17. Hi Beth, I have loved your other books and can't wait to read Jillian's story! I am an avid reader, and your books are perfect for me!

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    1. Hi, Jackie: Have you read Things I Never Told You, which launched the series?

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  18. Interesting post, Beth, and I've enjoyed reading all the comments. Although I'm not a writer, I'm intrigued by the writing process and enjoy interacting with authors. I loved Things I Never Told You and am looking forward to Moments We Forget. Since I'm one of seven girls in our family, I enjoy reading about sibling relationships. We also have two brothers, and we all get along well, which I deeply appreciate.

    I'm quite sure I'll relate well to your book, Moments We Forget, because I'm at that age where I'm forgetting a lot of moments! LOL

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    1. Hi, Winnie: I imagine you have quite a few thoughts on sister relationships, thanks to your experience with six sisters. And thank you for your kind words about Things I Never Told You.

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  19. I'm so sorry I couldn't get by the blog again yesterday. My daughter graduated from college yesterday morning and it was a day-long event with family and dinner together.

    Looks like we had a great day at the blog! Beth, thanks so much for hanging out with us!

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    1. I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating your daughter, Missy!

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