No, believe it or not, it's not the big bucks rolling in at present. It might actually sound strange, but my favorite thing is interacting with people who enjoyed my books.
See, I write for myself first, but then when the book is done, I want to share it. It's not as easy as that, though. Publishing is actually a terrifying thing to do, because once the book is out there, it might find people who don't like the book at all.
So hearing back from someone who likes what I've written makes my little heart glow with happiness. (No really.)
My favorite comments are when people quote their favorite passages from the book. Or when they read one chapter and tell me what they think will happen next. This mostly happens on Wattpad, which is a great place if you like chatting with people as they read the book.
Not all of them comment, of course, but those who do appreciate when I answer them. Which means they comment more, and eventually a relationship is built in a more personal way than would have been possible before the internet.
So, if you ever do buy the book, the links and addresses in the back are there for a reason. I really do want to hear back from you if you enjoyed what I've written. Squeeing along with readers is one of my favorite hobbies.
What about you? If you're a writer, what's your favorite sort of message from a fan? And if you're more of a reader, have you ever contacted a writer whose story you enjoyed?
I feel the same way about my webcomics. It's always fun to hear back from people who've been enjoying my stories!
ReplyDeleteAs a reader, I try to let writers know I've been enjoying their stories, too, although my anxiety keeps me from doing that sometimes, haha. If I have the time, I like to make fan art, too, although that's even scarier for me to share, so...that stuff remains unseen, a lot of the time. LOL.
Yeah it's hard to contact people you don't know, even if they say it's okay, and I can imagine that sharing fan art is even scarier, because it's something deeply personal to turn something into an image.
DeleteAs a reader I have never contacted any writer (except those I have found in the blogosphere). It has seemed both presumptious and invasive. Perhaps I need to rethink...
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, I also used to be so shy about contacting writers, but now that I see how much I appreciate it, I get the sense that I'll be contacting more writers from now on. ;-)
DeleteI love hearing from fans too. Especially those who squee! :) As a reader, I have written to authors. Even way back when I was a teen and we sent snail mail fan letters. Poor Stephen King received so many from me!
ReplyDeleteSqueeing fans are the best. :-P
DeleteI'm sure Stephen King appreciates his fan mail too. He seems too awesome not to.
I'm not pub'd yet...but I think I would feel like you do...hearing from fans.
ReplyDeleteIt's just such a sweet feeling. Like... I know while prepping to publish that a reader and writer has a strange relationship, because I could potentially touch someone I didn't even know in ways I never anticipated.
DeleteHearing back just makes it a bit more real. :-)
I've yet to hear from a fan, but it sounds like a wonderful experience. As a reader, I know its very exciting to hear back from the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it can be exciting. :-D
DeleteHi Misha - it's just lovely being acknowledged isn't it .. and I'm sure being contacted as an author - would make things so much more worth while ... but commenters are pretty good too ..
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
It is nice to be acknowledged in any way. I'm not picky. :-P
DeleteI couldn't agree more. There's nothing like the rush you get when a reader leaves a nice comment or takes the time to contact you to say they enjoyed your book. The first time I got a message from a stranger who had purchased my book and loved it I was on cloud nine for days. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing. ^_^
DeleteI love hearing from readers. They make all the hard work worthwhile. It's certainly not the paychecks. lol
ReplyDeleteLol indeed not. I have the great sum of $30 waiting for me to add to it so it can actually be paid out. :-P
DeleteI think I'd like to hear back from readers whenever I get published. I've never contacted any... well, wait I take that back. One, I've contacted one. It went ok :)
ReplyDeleteGood! I'm sure you made that one smile. :-D
DeleteI've never contacted writers directly, and I haven't been contacted by readers directly, but I do enjoy reading favorable reviews of my work.
ReplyDeleteFavorable reviews are awesome as well. Especially when the reviewer is really just a fan who left a review.
DeleteI haven't been the type to contact writers I don't know about how much I love their books. I really should change that because it's exciting to hear from a reader.
ReplyDeleteIt is. In fact, I'm also thinking about starting to contact writers I love reading, but don't know. :-D
DeleteI think it is a measure of how well you did and we all like to hear this. I have thought of writing to an author but never knew where to start.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is a measure of how well we did. At least of how well we managed to get our point across. :-D
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ReplyDeleteI haven't been on wattpad enough, but I have loved getting a few e-mails and comments from readers. I really appreciate it, especially when they reference specific parts of the story that they liked, and even if they want me to bring back a certain character from the dead and suggest ways I could do that. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to not write to other authors, thinking they were "above me" in their awesomeness and probably didn't have time or have interest in a fan's reaction, but now I do write them since I know how much a bit of mail can mean to me.
As a SciFi / Fantasy reader of the last 50 years, it wasn't until 12 months ago that I contacted an author about their work. It just seemed too far out of reach to me. But then I started sending notes, and I must say that doing so was a step toward a change in my life, an inspiration, a new relationship, and a thrill that the authors really DID like to hear back. I was inspired to finally write my own. A fledgling 58 year old writer, I relish any feedback I can. I've sold only a handful to mostly friends and family so far, but the anticipation is there! Above all I thank M.Pax, who graciously responded and encouraged this 58-year old rookie!
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool that you use Wattpad to connect with readers. I love the idea of you squeeing alongside them as they read. I haven't contacted many writers, and that was mostly ones I met blogging.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE when I get nice comments from readers!!! It makes my day, my week, my month. When I was just starting out as a serious writer, I contacted an author only once, and she never responded. But I've met wonderful writer's and authors through my blog!
ReplyDeleteIt's terrifying putting your child out there for accolades or derision.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're are so right. It does the heart good when people understand and love your story.
It is very nice to hear that what you've created has resonated with others.
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