Many Tastes, Many Flavors

For many families including mine, the Christmas season is full of food, food and more food. For us, a long standing tradition involves cookies.

As long as I can remember, my Mom has made dozens upon dozens of cookies at Christmas. At times we've had as many as 22 different kinds involving a myriad of flavors, shapes and sizes.

The list got to such a crazy number because, over the years, everyone found a favorite that Mom just had to make for that once a year special treat. A few new ones are swapped with old ones now and then, but many have remained a constant request for at least a decade or more.

Similar to preparing holiday taste temptations, as you work on a book project, you need to consider the taste of your audience. What "flavors" do they want? What are they absolutely salivating for?

For example, do they prefer shorter or longer books? Do they want some sort of downloadable version and for what device? What specific kind of romance or mystery are they devouring right now? Has the preference changed over time and how? Does your writing need to change too?

Answer these kinds of questions accurately, and you're audience will be much more likely to gobble up your next offering just like a beloved holiday treat.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett