Boasting in the Mead Hall

As I work on refining my identity as a writer with an eye on creating a writer’s platform, I find that it can be very difficult to choose the words to describe one’s self and one’s writing.  It’s easy to say why I like other authors – this one writes lyrical prose, that one explores the nobility of the human spirit without being trite.  Some of the things I admire in other authors are themes, styles and ideas I try to incorporate into my own writing.  But it’s hard to say that is what I do; that is what my writing is.

I think a part of this is that major religions of the world (from which even then non-religious have created parts of their code of conduct,) tend to view boasting as a vice.  Sure there is a difference between boasting and self-promotion, but sometimes it’s hard to tell where the line is drawn.

So I am going to work on embracing a facet of my Anglo-Saxon heritage: the appropriate use of boasting as a positive indication of character, bravery and determination.

Besides slaying Grendel in a wrestling match – (Oh, you’ve already done that Beowulf – well, darn) – I am preparing to write a description of my writing, testing it on those who have read my work for accuracy and then... Let’s to the mead-hall and let the boasting begin.

Audience Survey

Calling anyone who has read my stories:  If you are interested in helping me figure out who my audience is and what makes my stories compelling among all the other fantasy stories out there, please take this quick survey.  

I am working on recognizing the themes that are the through lines in my work - the things that people will eventually know that they will probably find when reading my stories.  I have made my own list, but I am interested in what you, my readers, have noticed - and what you liked and would draw you to read another of my stories.

Your answers will be most useful to me if suspend any other relationship than author/reader you have with me, or forget any bribes of cake I have offered you to read my stories in the past while you answer.


FYI - there are 8 questions in the survey.

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Marketing Idhua: Part 2 (Round 1) - Audience

First annual reader's poll:


I've been thinking about an author's audience.  In the past this has been a challenging topic for me because I approached it negatively: most of the fantasy I see out there is very different in even sub-genre from what I write, therefore there isn't really an audience for my work.  Well, there are a lot of flaws in that assumption, (as in it's just not true,) but even more it is an attitude that defeats me before I even start.  


In looking for and responding to my audience I don't have to give up on the subjects or styles that make my work unique.  (Thank heavens I don't have to write any vampire stories if I don't want to - which I don't. (Except for the one where someone discovers that there is a group of powerful vampires behind a renewed interest in space exploration because it finally occurred to the bloodsuckers that immortality is going to be a real drag when the sun goes super-nova.  Feel free to steal this idea - I'm not going to actually write it, it just amuses me.))


Anyhow, growing an audience: 


Here are three areas I have identified as audience research tools:

• Things (themes, characters, styles, etc.) people like about my stories – i.e. what are my draws.
• Things that are draws for me when others' stories - i.e. I am part of my own audience.
• Things people wish they could read or wish there was more of that fall into my purview.

On that note: any of you who have read my work... Questions for you:

• What in particular draws you to it?  
• Why would you come back and read more (besides offers of chocolate)?  
• What do you wish you could find out there in the fantasy genre that you either find in my work or think I would do a good job with if I included it?
• Any other thoughts on the subject?
• If you haven't read my work... Do you want to?  I am unpublished yet, but I have a few sketches up at the Amber Grimoire and I am up for new beta readers...

Again, leave me a comment, post on my Facebook page or email me at tannara.young@gmail.com.