Episode 20: Word of the Day- Why

IN THIS EPISODE

Melanie asks herself why, why, why??

Why is WHY so important? 

• Readers don't read for the what, they read for the why.

• While writing, constantly ask yourself WHY.

• Asking why gets you to narrow down that thing you secretly want to write about.

• You must be both universal and specific.

Jennie, hilariously, chooses a workout station next to a librarian at the gym in order to pick her brain for added insight into the topic.  Jennie and Abby talk about:

• The struggle children's authors have when choosing the age of their main character (and narrowing down the target age of their readers).

• How to target readers by being specific. Sometimes by isolating a group of readers, you can ultimately attract a larger audience. (Think Harry Potter-- how many of us were teenage boys when we read Harry Potter?!)

• You have to dial into who your book is actually for, and to do so you must DECIDE.

• Make decisions- choose one thing and let the others go.