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Test Your Observation Skills

February 19, 2015 //  by Mary Keeley//  17 Comments

Blogger: Mary Keeley

We make assumptions all the time. Writers sometimes jump to conclusions about their audience. Or about an inference from an agent or editor. Agents sometimes have a false hunch about a potential client. Test your observation skills to learn where you need to make adjustments.Observation

 

How well do you know your readers and followers?

Test your observation skills related to your readers and followers:

  1. Do you have an accurate impression of their age range?
  2. What is it about your writing that they like?
  3. Are the readers you originally targeted those who actually are following you now? If not, can you identify why?
  4. What are your followers concerned about? What do they expect to get out of reading your work?
  5. Have you noticed a shift in your readers’ interests, based on the world around them?

How well do you make yourself known?

One of the initial questions I pose to writers when I meet with them one-on-one is, what is your deepest passion and how do you plan to blend that passion into your writing? I first become acquainted with a writer by observing how they go about answering that question. But there is more to an author–agent relationship than surface level awareness.

Tip #1: Agents aren’t psychic. Checking in with each and every client on a regular, frequent basis isn’t a productive use of an agent’s time, especially while a client isn’t actively working on a new project. However, agents should want to hear from clients when they want advice or have information to share on a specific issue at hand or occasionally when the only need is for encouragement. Agents’ observations from this communication will inform them how to serve your need.

Tip #2: The blessing from a failure. Many of us have experienced a time when we, or someone close to us, failed to reach a short-term goal. When a loss like this precipitates a break-through opportunity to a deeper level of honest evaluation and communication, it becomes a long-term blessing and the author-agent relationship grows stronger.

Observations can’t be made when there is nothing to observe. It isn’t easy for some people to make themselves known, and it can be even harder to know where the fine line divides appropriate transparency from that which is unprofessional. Learn by observing how other authors do it successfully on their blogs and social media. Note how they balance personal connection with proper boundaries.

How current are you on culture and events and how they may be affecting your readers?

Social media is a convenient way to get a glimpse of your followers’ interests and concerns about all kinds of things. Periodically share something going on in your world—again, within professional boundaries—and ask them what is on their minds. You’ll glean insights that can help your writing resonate with them. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, writers can speak to those human emotions and be more confident their finger is on the pulse of their readers.

How did you fare in this test of your observation skills? Name a movie you saw recently in which you resonated with one of the characters. What did you observe that formed the connection for you? What kinds of books do you like to read in different seasons of life? Does this help you understand how to serve your readers?

TWEETABLES:

Writers, how well do you know your readers? Test your observation skills here. Click to Tweet.

Authors, how can you help your agent observe and serve your needs? Here are two tips. Click to Tweet.

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Category: Agents, Authors, Blog, Fiction, Finding an Agent, Nonfiction, Productivity, SuccessTag: author-agent relationship, author-reader relationship, observation skills, Writers' long-term success from short-term failure

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  1. Shelli Littleton

    February 19, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I’m watching, Mary. In the midst of writing, I’m observing others and trying to learn more about myself. I’ve usually not peered too closely into myself, but I’m realizing that I need to.

    I can’t really think of a movie right off, but as far as books, I love reading books with a sense of sweetness and hope. Those always pull me in.

    You’ve given me much to think about today. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    February 19, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I’m going to go off-topic, and I’m not sorry – this is important, and timely.

    On the Steve Laube blog today (www.stevelaube.com/books-due-life-falling-apart/) there’s a comment from a lady named Pamela Black, whose 12-year-old son has just been diagnosed with MS…after her 16-year-old daughter had the same diagnosis.

    I cannot imagine a nightmare of this magnitude, and I’ve seen a lot of nightmares.

    If this is a community, as I believe it is, I ask everyone who reads this to add their weight to a Prayer Hammer for this family.

    If you can, please visit the site and leave a word of support.

    Roll on the prayers, guys. Please.

    Reply
    • Shelli Littleton

      February 19, 2015 at 10:55 am

      Andrew, I’ll be praying.

      Reply
      • Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

        February 19, 2015 at 10:59 am

        Shelli, thanks. Please spread the word.

        Roll the world. Let them know they are not alone.

      • Shelli Littleton

        February 19, 2015 at 11:05 am

        Something about children hurting … simply wrings the heart. One of my dear friends recently found out that “both” of her sons are going blind … one just entered college, the other in high school. A genetic disease. I can’t even imagine.

        I’ll spread the word, friend.

    • Mary Keeley

      February 19, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Andrew, thanks for bringing this family to our attention. Indeed, our community is a caring and supportive one. I expect we’ll see each other’s names over on the Steve Laube blog today, expressing our prayerful support.

      Reply
      • Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

        February 19, 2015 at 11:38 am

        Mary, thank you. These people are hurting.

        Again, the link…might have mistyped above…

        http://www.stevelaube.com/books-due-life-falling-apart/

    • Janet Ann Collins

      February 19, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      Got my prayers. And community is one of the most important things about this blog.

      Reply
  3. Ellen Stumbo

    February 19, 2015 at 1:38 pm

    It is encouraging to answer these questions and realize I do know who my audience is, why they rad what i write, and what they need. Perhaps because I am one of them (a special needs parent), so I understand their needs, concerns, joys and struggles.

    You mentioned a movie, but instead I will say I resonated with the show “Parenthood” especially the story line dealing with the son who had autism. Why? because it was real, it was messy, it was vulnerable and beautiful. I think that is what allows me to connect with other parents, I share with gritty honesty.

    Often I think, what do I need to be reminded of today? And that gives me direction as I write. Because of what I write about I get several personal emails a week, and that also gives me direction and focus on the need out there.

    last, I find that Facebook is a great way to connect with my readers and engage in conversation. Sometimes one question is all it takes for parents to share their joys and struggles. I consider this my ministry, and I spend a lot of time praying for these parents.

    Reply
    • Shelli Littleton

      February 19, 2015 at 3:24 pm

      Thank you for being so transparent, Ellen. You blessed me.

      Reply
    • Mary Keeley

      February 19, 2015 at 4:30 pm

      Ellen, congratulations on having your finger on the pulse of your audience.

      Reply
  4. Peter DeHaan

    February 19, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    I was stuck on the first question about age.

    I want to and think I’m writing to twenty and thirtysomethings, but fear I am actually writing to their parents.

    As far as I know, people from both groups read my work, so I’m not sure what target I reach the best.

    This certainly gives my something to ponder.

    Reply
    • Mary Keeley

      February 19, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      Peter, now that you have identified the question about age range, all it might take is asking your social media following to take a quick survey to give you a better understanding of their interests. And perhaps make it a fun experience.

      Reply
      • Peter DeHaan

        February 19, 2015 at 5:48 pm

        That’s a great idea, Mary. Thanks!

  5. Kristen Joy Wilks

    February 19, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Hmmm…I’ve been writing for teens for a long time. What do I think they will like about my stories, my characters are grumpy and blurt out stuff they should have thought about a little more, my characters are blunt and questioning, suspicious and thoughtful. They can be a little snotty, but they can also be loving and heroic and beautiful. Lately, I’ve been writing romances, silly, fun, romantic adventures for the 30-60 romance reading age range. I think the readers will like the funny moments that can accompany falling in love. Then I just jumped out there and wrote a middle grade story. It is for kiddos the same age as my boys. If I ever have an audience for this ms. they will like the crazy adventures, the prehistoric animals rampaging, and the puppy snorking down sausages and escaping and barking when everyone is trying to sneak him into non-dog locations. At least, I hope they will…

    Reply
  6. Susan Jennings

    February 21, 2015 at 4:19 am

    I seem to be in a constant state of learning, which I love, but when I get conflicting information I begin to doubt myself. Your article today confirmed I am doing something right. I do know my audience. I haven’t been around long enough to check if it has changed but thanks for the tip because now I can monitor any changes.

    Reply
  7. Christina Ryan Claypool

    February 23, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    Mary,
    First, thanks for the insightful and informative blog post. It taught me to be more mindful of the demographics of my reader based more on the individual publication or project, since I write for such varied mediums.
    More importantly, it reminded me of something I learned at a conference where Dr. Len Sweet was the keynote. As a very prolific author himself, Sweet urged those in the audience to do something random on a continual basis in order to not get stuck in a rut.
    Sometimes, this advice has caused me to read a book that I normally would not read, go to a movie that is not my genre, or to step out in faith and try new experiences. That’s why I recently went to see the film, “American Sniper,” even though it is definitely not in my sometimes fragile emotional wheelhouse. Yet I deeply connected with Chris Kyle’s wife, despite never being a military spouse myself.
    Staying relevant can be a challenge as you age, doing something random, especially if it is Spirit-led, can be a real game changer.

    Reply

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