Did any of you read the What Mommies Do Best, What Daddies Do Best, What Grandmas Do Best, etc series of picture books to the little ones in your life? I did, and am drawing inspiration from that series for today’s post!
WHAT READERS DO BEST
Readers select your book for their book club and (if they live close to you) sometimes invite you to their book club meeting.
They send you encouraging emails and messages just when you’re feeling down and wondering whether your work matters.
And they make t-shirts with your character’s name on them.
Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, Cincinnati, OH
Readers meet you for lunch.
Nashville, TN
And coffee.
Oklahoma City, OK
And dinner.
Philadelphia, PA
Readers attend your book signings and save you from sitting alone at a table feeling self-conscious.
And they discuss your heroes on Facebook.
Readers tell others about your novels.
Riverside, CA
Readers interact with you all year long via Inspired by Life and Fiction, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
And write reviews.
And feature your book on their blog.
And are kindred spirits who love reading as much as you do.
WHAT WRITER FRIENDS DO BEST
Writer friends pray for you.
Dani Pettrey in Washington, DC
And brainstorm with you.
And remind you that the doubt/dementia/stress/uncertainty/crisis of confidence/frustration you’re feeling is normal for the writing phase you’re in.
Courtney Walsh and Katie Ganshert in Nashville, TN
Writer friends understand the ups and downs of the profession.
And talk business with you.
And go on bookish retreats with you.
Jody Hedlund, Karen Witemeyer, Julie Klassen in Branson, MO
Writer friends celebrate your successes with you.
And laugh with you.
And spur you on.
And understand you.
And make your solitary career a whole lot less lonely.
…..I’m so very grateful to the readers and writer friends in my life! Thank you!
What do the readers and writers in YOUR life do best?
Before I go, I wanted to mention that The Christmas Heirloom novella collection will be releasing October 2nd. If you’re someone who enjoys pre-ordering books, now’s the perfect time! Click here or on the image below for links to all the online retailers.
Becky Wade
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Thanks for the shoutout Becky! Even though some of us claimed our heroes from the Porter series we might have to drop him in favor of Zander when he makes an appearance next year in Sweet on You!
I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about Zander!
The happy thing about staking your claim to a fictional hero: You’re free to revoke that claim for a future hero when necessary. 😉
Perfect Post! I love reading your books and I am more than happy to support you in many ways! 🙂
You’re a wonderful support to me, Melissa! I’m so grateful. 🙂
What a lovely post! Meeting a favorite author is always a highlight for me. Thanks for sharing that authors love readers as well.
Enjoy your week.
Becky
Meeting YOU and your daughter was a highlight for me, Becky!
Great post, Becky! I’ve pre-ordered the novella collection, can’t wait for more from Merryweather, WA!
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I hope you enjoy it. I’m reading the other novellas in the collection now for the first time and I really love the generational link that connects them. It’s poignant!
aww thanks for the shirt shoutout! 😀
My pleasure!
Such a fun post, Becky! You are definitely one of those writer friends who does encouragement best. I learn wonderful industry tips from you, am encouraged by your uplifting spirit, and have tons of retreat fun with you. And I have to say that partnering with you on this Christmas novella project has been one of the highlights of my year!
I couldn’t agree more! With all our similarities, God clearly intended for us to be friends. I’m so thankful He did!
I love reading books with friends, discussing them, and communicating on Goodreads. I try to go to author events that are near me and love talking with my favorite authors, some of whom have become favorites because of book events.
I discovered you from reading this blog and then from reading a selection you had in a wedding novella collection.
Yes! That wedding novella collection was the first one I tried and it’s called To Have and To Hold. Thanks for supporting books via Goodreads and local events. That’s much appreciated, Betty!
This is so fun, Becky! Reader and writer friends hold me back from going over . the .. cliff … (ahhh!) with my overwriting. ❤
Ha! They hold me back from going over the cliff, too. 😉
Writer friends let you nearly burst their ear drum squealing with delight when you finally meet them person without calling security on you :-). They also create characters that you can’t get enough of and wish they were your real life friends. Writers also allow God to use them to write something that resonates so strongly with you, it stays with you long after ‘The End’. All of these things apply to you, Becky Wade, and I’m grateful for you. 🙂
Ah, Amy! I’m very grateful for you. You’re welcome to burst my ear drum anytime! 😉
Love this post. As an avid reader and author fan girl, this is so sweet to read. I love your books and was delighted to meet you at a signing. I am look forward to also seeing you at Readers and Ritas!
Wonderful! I’ll see you there, Rochelle!