One of the most gratifying aspects of writing and publishing a novel for me has been the response from my readers. I’m a new author with only two books published and my third scheduled to be released this year—it still gives me goose bumps when I read a comment or receive an email from a reader who loved one of my books. I feel humbled that they actually read my book and were touched and inspired by the story. That inspires me to continue writing.
If no one read my books, who would I be writing for? Yes, it is still gratifying to finish a novel and publish it, but my end goal is to write life changing stories that affect readers’ lives with a positive impact. I’m compelled to write and know that God has given me the stories that I share with others.
Readers are number one in my eyes when I sit down to write. As I’m setting up the scene with description and delving into dialogue and creating compelling characters, I always have my readers in mind. What will she think about this story? Will he like the characters I create? Most importantly, will I write well enough for them to get the point of the message?
Readers are number one in my eyes when I sit down to write. As I’m setting up the scene with description and delving into dialogue and creating compelling characters, I always have my readers in mind. What will she think about this story? Will he like the characters I create? Most importantly, will I write well enough for them to get the point of the message?
Before I became a writer, I was first a reader—a voracious reader at that. I couldn’t get enough of books, I still can’t. However, now, I need to balance my time more between writing and reading and everything else that’s on my plate. As a reader, I know what it’s like submersing myself into a story and getting so wrapped up in it, that I can’t wait to finish and when I read the last line, I wish the author wrote more.
Now that I’m on the other side of the fence, I want to always keep that perspective of the reader’s mindset in mind when I write my stories. I write because it is my mission in life to share faith-filled stories and because I love to write—but I will always write for my readers and hope to bring a smile to their faces and encouragement to their spirits. For all the readers out there, you have my undying gratitude for continuing to devour books and keeping the love of reading alive and well.
In gratitude for all of the readers, anyone who comments on this blog post and shares why they love to read, will be entered into a drawing to receive an eBook copy of my book, Mr. Shipley's Governess.
Now that I’m on the other side of the fence, I want to always keep that perspective of the reader’s mindset in mind when I write my stories. I write because it is my mission in life to share faith-filled stories and because I love to write—but I will always write for my readers and hope to bring a smile to their faces and encouragement to their spirits. For all the readers out there, you have my undying gratitude for continuing to devour books and keeping the love of reading alive and well.
In gratitude for all of the readers, anyone who comments on this blog post and shares why they love to read, will be entered into a drawing to receive an eBook copy of my book, Mr. Shipley's Governess.
Sebastian leaned against the doorframe of the library, amused that Sophie continued reading, oblivious to his intrusion. He watched her scrunch up her face in consternation, engrossed in the book. “So, who do you like better, me or Mr. Knightly?” He heard her sharp intake of breath. She nearly dropped the book as she turned to look at her intruder.
“Definitely, that would be Mr. Knightly; he doesn’t have the habit of sneaking up on me.”
Sebastian sauntered into the room and sat in the chair opposite her. “Yes, he’s so charming. I hope to someday be like him.”
“Hey, don’t make fun. He is the epitome of the perfect gentleman.”
“Actually, I’m serious.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve read the same book as you. It must be a coincidence.”
Sophie smiled. “Really…you’re just trying to get on my good side.”
He leaned forward in mock surprise. “Huh, I thought I was on your good side already.”
“That depends on my mood.”
“I see. You’re all about a woman’s prerogative.”
“Yes, I live by that rule.”
He played along, enjoying the playful banter. “Oh, so you’re one of those.”
“You’d better believe it. It’s my prerogative to change my mind whenever I want.”
He fluidly maneuvered his way to the ottoman where her feet rested and he sat down. “I hope you don’t change your mind about me.”
“Well, that all depends on you.”
“I’d better be on my best behavior then.”
Sophie got up quickly and before he realized it, she walked across the room to the bookshelf. “So, you really read Emma, too. That’s still surprising and sweet.”
He followed her. “You’re avoiding any serious conversation, young lady.”
She moved away, running her finger along the spines of the books. He kept following, backing her into a corner. She leaned her hands against the windowsill and backed up as far as possible. She laughed nervously. “So, tell me again why you interrupted me.”
“I did it because I’ve wanted to do this for a long time now.” He cupped her face, tracing the outline of her lips with his thumb. Then he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her gently, at first, but soon his fervor matched hers. She put her arms around his neck and moved in closer. Finally, they pulled away from each other, both breathless. “I…I’m sorry.”
She touched his cheek. “Don’t be. I’ve wanted you to do that for a long time, too.”
He squeezed her hand. “I should get back to work. David’s going to wonder what happened to me.”
Sophie gave him a flirty smile. “Oh, I’m sure he knows.”
“Now try not to compare me too much to Mr. Knightly because there’s no contest, really.”
As he walked out of the room, he still felt the warmth of her lips on his and the softness of her body in his arms. He chided himself. “Shake it off, man.” Then he walked down the hall in search of his brother.
“Definitely, that would be Mr. Knightly; he doesn’t have the habit of sneaking up on me.”
Sebastian sauntered into the room and sat in the chair opposite her. “Yes, he’s so charming. I hope to someday be like him.”
“Hey, don’t make fun. He is the epitome of the perfect gentleman.”
“Actually, I’m serious.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve read the same book as you. It must be a coincidence.”
Sophie smiled. “Really…you’re just trying to get on my good side.”
He leaned forward in mock surprise. “Huh, I thought I was on your good side already.”
“That depends on my mood.”
“I see. You’re all about a woman’s prerogative.”
“Yes, I live by that rule.”
He played along, enjoying the playful banter. “Oh, so you’re one of those.”
“You’d better believe it. It’s my prerogative to change my mind whenever I want.”
He fluidly maneuvered his way to the ottoman where her feet rested and he sat down. “I hope you don’t change your mind about me.”
“Well, that all depends on you.”
“I’d better be on my best behavior then.”
Sophie got up quickly and before he realized it, she walked across the room to the bookshelf. “So, you really read Emma, too. That’s still surprising and sweet.”
He followed her. “You’re avoiding any serious conversation, young lady.”
She moved away, running her finger along the spines of the books. He kept following, backing her into a corner. She leaned her hands against the windowsill and backed up as far as possible. She laughed nervously. “So, tell me again why you interrupted me.”
“I did it because I’ve wanted to do this for a long time now.” He cupped her face, tracing the outline of her lips with his thumb. Then he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her gently, at first, but soon his fervor matched hers. She put her arms around his neck and moved in closer. Finally, they pulled away from each other, both breathless. “I…I’m sorry.”
She touched his cheek. “Don’t be. I’ve wanted you to do that for a long time, too.”
He squeezed her hand. “I should get back to work. David’s going to wonder what happened to me.”
Sophie gave him a flirty smile. “Oh, I’m sure he knows.”
“Now try not to compare me too much to Mr. Knightly because there’s no contest, really.”
As he walked out of the room, he still felt the warmth of her lips on his and the softness of her body in his arms. He chided himself. “Shake it off, man.” Then he walked down the hall in search of his brother.
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