Weekend Workshop – Nano to Publish

Last weekend was Nano to Publish at the North Bend library again. We are really getting somewhere as a group. I am so excited about this. And the breath of genres and styles…I’m already planning some events next year to show case these new authors.

We spent the entire 90 minute session playing First Page Idol. I read everyone’s First Page for them, out loud, and we parsed it as a group. What worked for us? What didn’t and why? What is a stylistic choice and what’s bad grammar or some other form of mistake. I am struck yet again by the sharp devisions in what people like as readers. Things that bother me, others find charming and vice versa. You really have to know your audience.

This of course forced me to consider just who I am writing my spy novel for. And it’s a smart reading audience. One who wants to think while reading not just be entertained. It’s the first time I’ve ever really understood who my audience for this book should be. And now I’m wondering if I am writing for too small an audience. LOL.

If you’re following along at home, your beta reviews should be back by now, or almost all back by now. Try to read your first page to as many people as possible. Those words are what sells your book or doesn’t.