Readers Make Writers

 

We writers are nothing without readers. That's a fact. It's not only about book sales. Readers need to know that we thrive on more than sales. We thrive on reviews, on the social media comments you leave about our work, and on those emails readers sometimes take the time to write to us. I love hearing from a reader who has been touched by one of my books and who takes the time to tell me about their experience. That kind of feedback is fuel to us writers. It gives us energy and purpose and motivation to keep going.

I had one book--Unconditional--blow my sales numbers out of the water over the last two months. It's not a new book by any means. I've not been actively promoting the book. I don't know who started the fire that sent the sales of Unconditional climbing. I do know that a few people left ratings and reviews on Amazon. Those meant the world to me, to know that my book touched your hearts

So, readers, please don't ever think you're not important to us writers, that your comments and feedback and encouragement isn't important to us. It's ofthen the very thing that keeps us going to write the next book.

As for myself, I thank all my readers and fans. You make my world brighter and keep me going.

Linda

Writing for Women? What about the guys?

 

I recently invested a few dollars to purchase this banner for my upcoming book events. In designing the banner, I weighed out using the Writing for Women logo I've used for years.

When I first started publishing, I needed a tag line for my work, something to make it easily identifiable. One TV network that was popular at the time was Lifetime-Television for Women. I started out writing women's fiction, and so adopted the phrase:  Writing for Women.  As I broadened my writing into other genres and sub-genres, I discovered my books have one thing in common--they are stories of strength, love, humor, and/or hope. It doesn't matter if it's women's fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, or paranormal. The one thing that is always important to me is that my stories are positive and offer a happy ending.

I always enjoy stories that present engaging characters that draw me into their stories. And, so, I strive to create characters who do the same--characters that are real, that struggle, that overcome, and that embrace life with joy and hope.

My stories are not literary fiction so much as commercial fiction across a variety of genres. They're intended to entertain, to comfort, to encourage, and to make the reader smile. If they give you something to think about, that's a good thing too.

Now, I've been asked about my Writing for Women logo. Does that mean my writing rules out male readers? Not at all. I've written a few suspense novels that would appeal to most men. But I try not to sell men short. I think a man could easily identify with my heros and enjoy their stories. I was asked once at a booksigning, "You say your books are written for women, so I should just give one to my wife?" To which I replied, "Women will relate to and enjoy my books. But that doesn't mean a man can't learn something useful from them." He bought the book, promising to read it first.

This year, in a few months actually, I will produce my 50th novel. I'm proud of the books and stories I've written. I say that with all honesty and without arrogance. I know my writing is not perfect. No one's is. I admit to sometimes feeling like a well-kept secret in the literary world.

I very much look forward to rolling out A Well-Imagined Life, my fiftieth novel, in early August. The date coincides with my 75th birthday. I shudder at that number and cannot wrap my head around it. But it is what it is.

I hope you will help me celebrate these twenty-two years of writing and read one or two or forty of my books. And, yes guys, there will be something there for you, too.

AMAZON.COM

To all of my faithful readers, I thank you so much. You make it all worthwhile.

We're All in This Together

 

So I had an idea--why not call together a group of romance authors and then offer a panel discussion and book signing event to local libraries? I don't know a lot of authors in the Pittsburgh area yet, so I put out a general call through Pennwriters to see if anyone would be interested. Bam--I had seven more authors to round out the eight-author panel.

Now that I had eight interested authors, what might we do? I sent out queries to a half dozen local libraries. The first to respond was the Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA. It's a beautiful space with a wonderfully warm and friendly staff of people.

(I'm way down at the end, next to last.)

We had a packed house of 60+ folks for the panel discussion. And these authors did not fail to entertain and enlighten. What struck me most--and I only knew two of these folks prior to the event--was the way these authors, all of us, respected and supported one another. At the end of the panel discussion, the authors went into the lobby to their tables to sell and sign books. But throughout this event, every author was generous and kind and supportive of the other authors present.

I overhead a patron tell Sydney Krawiec, Program and Outreach Coordinator, that she'd attended many author panels and that this was by far her best experience. I was stunned when Sydney said her comment meant a lot because this was the first author panel she'd moderated there. You could have fooled me.

I so appreciate how the library stepped up to support us local authors. I was impressed by the way the authors were gracious and attentive to one another--supportive rather than competitive. These events are so much fun when everyone is in this together.

What Can You Do?

I went out to shovel the walkway and driveway. That part is our responsibility. While I'm working at the top of the driveway, a man comes down the hill with a shovel, says not a word, and sets to work clearing the lower part. Finally, I say thank you and ask if he lives across the street. I don't know all of our neighbors very well. No, he lives up a few units and, I realize, is the same man--whose name I learn is Ron--who helped Sue Ann with the trash cans one day. He could only work for a few minutes because of an online meeting, but did what he could. I continue to shovel and our neighbor, Peter, comes over to help. He'd done his driveway earlier.

This got me to thinking. Often we see an issue that needs to be resolved or a person who needs help and, perhaps, we think, "No point in getting involved because I can't solve the problem." But often we can do something to alleviate the problem. I saw someone in my area on Nextdoor asking about where they might be able to get food for their family. People gave several suggestions of Food Pantries (most of which are probably closed today because of the weather.) I can't stock a family pantry, but I have enough food here for a meal or two, so I told them to contact me if they still need food. Our freezer is full, and we could manage for weeks probably, several days at least. I don't want to see a need and turn away because I can't meet the need completely. I'd like to be the person to offer to do what I can. If enough of us do what we can, the problem can be solved.

Another Year, Another Wish for Peace

It's the first day of a new year. Snowflakes are drifting down to whiten the grass and coat tree limbs and the top of the fence. It's almost noon, and I'm still in my pjs. No planes have zoomed over in the hour I've been here. It's quiet. Peaceful. So much so, it's hard to believe that outside the house, in other places out in the world, wars are raging and people are dying--for what? Power? Hatred? Refusal to accept one another? I think those in power all need to come and sit with me in this quiet space. Watch the few snowflakes falling. Listen to the sound of peace and quiet. Breathe it in. Let your soul feel what peace can be like.

Wishing you peace in the coming year.

                                                                     Linda

Celebrate Every Day...and Every One

 My previous post was about a man named Jackie Conner who was celebrated by my (and his) hometown recently. You can read that post to get the whole story. What I learned today is that Jackie passed away yesterday

He had been celebrated just a little over three weeks ago with a parade and a lot of fanfare. He was shown the love and gratitude of family and friends and strangers, although no one was a stranger to Jackie once he met them.

We can put off telling or showing others how special they are and what they mean to us. We think there is always tomorrow. But tomorrow is not guaranteed. How wonderful that people rallied to celebrate Jackie's life while he was still here to enjoy the party.

The lesson in all of this: Celebrate life every day. Celebrate others...every one...every day. You don't have to throw a big parade with miles of fire trucks and a marching band--though that was what Jackie loved the most. If you just do what Jackie did best--welcome the stranger, let family members and friends know they're appreciated, and most of all show up.

Godspeed, Jackie. I can only imagine the parade that welcomed you into the next life. Fly with the angels.

The True Meaning of Community and Hometown Heroes

My hometown of Brownsville, PA has always been alive and well in my heart and my memories. Years and hard times, however, have brought about change and challenge and left the little river town struggling. Yet it survives. To say it's thriving would be a stretch, but where there is life there is hope.

The hope of any community resides in the spirit of the people. That was never more evident to me than it was today. The entire town, along with surrounding communities, turned out to celebrate Jackie Conner Day. You're no doubt wondering, "Okay, who is Jackie Conner?" Having only met Jackie once, I won't pretend to know him. I can say that one meeting made an indelible impression on me. We were introduced, and Jackie offered me the brightest, most genuine smile I've ever seen.

When I became aware of the town's plans to celebrate Jackie Conner Day, I asked a few residents about Jackie. What makes him special so that he deserves a day in his honor? After all, he isn't a politician or a sports celebrity. What I learned was that Jackie, who is special needs, is a man who loves. He loves his family and friends, and he loves his hometown. And he acts on that love, always showing up to be of help for projects and events to improve the town in any way. I learned that Jackie has a perpetual smile on his face when he greets anyone--friend or stranger. I learned that Jackie can always be counted on to show up. I also sadly learned that Jackie is dealing with terminal illness, and his one wish was to have a big parade through town.

So, what did the people of Brownsville do? Well, they declared today Jackie Conner Day. And what a parade there was. Jackie, with his ever-present smile, served as Grand Marshal. He humbly accepted the love and well-wishes of all who came out to celebrate him.

Jackie brings out the best in people. That is obvious from the turnout of people who came to celebrate him--a simple man who does what he does without fanfare, who lives his life out of love for people and for his hometown.

Knowing more of Jackie's story has restored my hope for Brownsville. Seeing the way my hometown stepped up to celebrate Jackie in his lifetime has restored my faith in humanity. I am so proud to say that Brownsville, PA is my hometown.

Jackie is truly a special man who brought a community together by simply being himself--fully and simply and without guile or pretense. In a world often jaded by greed and harsh judgments and hate--be a Jackie. 

* * *

Linda Rettstatt,

Author of these hometown novels: