BLOG - KEEP YOUR CAREER ALIVE BY RITA KARNOPP

There is one way to keep your career alive . . . listen to your readers.  You may have written your hundredth book, but if you don’t get feedback on what your readers liked . . . and disliked . . . about your last book, how can you improve?

You must look for places where your readers can actively give you feedback.  Oh, I agree, there will be the occasional ‘know–it-all’ that might send your blood pressure rising.  But there will also be that gem who will give you some insight that will take your writing to a whole new level.  It’s hard to see where we need improvement – we’re too close.

The key here is to be very open-minded and take nothing personal.  Step back as though the comments are about someone else’s work and that makes it easier to be objective.

Create a blog and generate active participation - creating ‘conversation’ on parts of your book . . . i.e. characters or plot.  Blogs are a great way to get feedback.  Look for places where readers are actually engaged – you will learn more than you ever imagined . . . if you keep an open mind.

Invite guest authors to do the same.  You will generate a blog that readers as well as fellow authors can interact – and that can only be good.  Always keep in mind, there will be the oddball comments or those that ‘think’ they know everything.  Ignore them for the most part.  Be polite and respond with a simple ‘thank you.’

What you get from keeping your career alive with be priceless.