The trouble with going to writers’ conferences is that you come home with a head full of ideas that if you don’t take action on immediately are likely to dissolve into the mist of someday without ever being accomplished. Well, this year, I decided to take a couple of ideas and put them into action as soon as I returned home. My favorite, by far, has been starting up a private FB group for my fans called The Posse.
This past week, I turned in a completed manuscript and started work on a novella. Therefore, this was the perfect time to initiate a group of creative-minded, savvy readers to join me in the creation process.
The Posse is not a promo group, so there are no requirements for joining beyond being a fan of my books. I picture it as a place where members can help me brainstorm characters and plots, where we can swap favorite reads, and have genuine conversations about books and life.
But for fun, I thought I’d show you an example of what The Posse accomplished last week:
We selected my central cast:
Hero – Beauregard “Bo” Azlin – 1890’s Mineral Spa Resort Owner
Heroine – Ruth Fulbright – Widow arriving in Hope Springs, TX on her last dollar, taking a job as cook at the local cafe. Determined to stand on her own two feet and provide for her daughter.
Heroine’s Daughter – Naomi Fulbright – age 7 – precocious, sweet-natured, and not in the least bit shy.
In addition to the photos, the Posse came up with wonderful brainstorm ideas about other plots elements including a cat that will be up for naming this week.
If you are interested in joining The Posse, I’d love to have you.
Click the link below and request to join.
Are you a member of a FB group? What are your favorite ways to interact with the group?
Since I’m a novice at this whole FB group thing, I’d love to know what would make it fun for you to hang out there.
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The cast of your upcoming book sounds great and I’m excited to find out what you name the cat! I’m in the minority of people not on Facebook so I can join the Posse but I’m a fan!!
Oops! “Can’t”…not “can”…
Thanks, Elizabeth. I think we’ll put the cat up for naming tomorrow. 🙂
Hi Karen, I enjoy participating in your Posse FB group! It has been fun 🙂
Thanks, Trisha. I hope I can keep the fun factor going over the long haul. 🙂
Love this group, Karen. Great idea!
Thanks, Beth. So glad you joined me there.
It’s fun to put faces to the names of your novella characters, Karen!
I’m a member of several Facebook groups. I don’t have time to interact with the groups as much as I’d like (some days I just allow myself 5 minutes of Facebook time and use it to scroll through my newsfeed) but one of the ones I’ve really enjoyed this past year is A Seat at the Table. It’s a group for Christian Fiction authors, readers, bloggers, and publishing staff. What makes it great: 1) It’s a wonderful mix of people in the Christian fiction world. 2) Someone is always asking an interesting question that gets me thinking and spurs discussion.
Great example, Becky. I’m a member of that group, too. Like you, I really don’t have time to be very active in the groups that I’m a member of – writing still must get done after all – so taking on responsibility for a group myself has been a little daunting. But two weeks in, the engagement has been phenomenal and we’re having a lot of fun, so I’m praying I can keep that spirit going.
I think I missed a lot of the posts while I was at CFRR for a few days. I’ll have to see if I can catch up on everything. It’s fun to be able to interact with authors and other readers.
I’ve really enjoyed interacting directly with my readers. I learn so much from all of you and get excited to hear your thoughts and ideas!