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Different Strokes . . . and a contest!

Karen Kendall's picture
Submitted by Karen Kendall on Wed, 2007-01-17 21:43.

Today I got a great lesson in knowing your audience. To use an ancient, moldy line: It takes different strokes for different folks.

None of us who are writing fiction can ever truly "know" our audiences, since they're composed of so many different types of people, but it does help to remember that most romance and women's fiction readers are . . . (drumroll) . . . women!

Recently I asked an older gentleman whom I adore and respect to take a look at a first chapter of mine. It opens with the heroine targeting a creepy, adulterous older guy because he's stolen something she wants back. She's in full-scale manipulation mode and I thought it was a lot of fun to see her gain the advantage and steal back the object.

Unfortunately, my gentleman reader pretty much loathed and despised the chapter, and I was crushed. I think it may have been because he disliked seeing the young girl win the "round." HE identified a little more with the older man being fleeced.

I stuffed the chapter back into a binder and thought about how to rewrite it to make it more appealing. But I was coming up with few ideas, so I took it to a new critique group today, where, to my surprise, the reaction to the chapter was overwhelmingly positive!

When I told them about my gentleman friend and his reaction, they said, "Well, Karen, he's just not your audience." Okay, it was a classic Homer Simpson "Doh" moment. He's not.

I don't particularly enjoy reading Tom Clancy (even though I have huge respect for him as an author) because of the overwhelming technical detail in his books, but he's one of my gentleman friend's favorite writers. He loves those intricate, technology-soaked thrillers. He's ex-military, and that's the way his mind works.

My gentleman friend is a sweetheart and I still respect his opinion, but next time I'm looking for some reader feedback, I think maybe I'll ask YOU instead! Women know what they want in a novel, especially one written for them.

I'm going to see if I can figure out how to post a contest, LOL, and the question will be: "What are some of your favorite plots and/or settings for books?" I.e. revenge, secret babies, marriages of convenience. Small towns, foreign cities, etc.

All you have to do to enter is is post as a registered user and give me some feedback via the comments box.

Prize is an autographed copy of one of my books and a box of imported chocolates. Have a great week! Best, Karen

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Oooh- great point

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Thu, 2007-01-18 02:08.

Talk about targeting an audience, huh? Wow, that bites that he was so rough on the scene, it sounds like something I'd LOVE to read!! (hey, does this mean we'll get to read it in book form sometime soon? Huh huh?)

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Men

Submitted by Mads on Thu, 2007-01-18 07:44.
Hi Karen, I've learned never to ask a mans opinion on anything anymore, especially anything to do with books. Those of them who do read, usually read the kind of books that only men would attempt to read. Most of the males in my life, turn their noses up at anything that even looks like what they call a female nonsense book. Anytime you want an opinion of any writing that you do,just ask your readers or your female friends. We are more likely to give you an honest opinion, because we read your books and know what we like to read.By the way, I read a few of your books recently and, I have to tell you that, I love your sense of humor and I loved your books. I'm so glad that Sam recommended them. You now have another devoted reader. Now I'm curious. What is this new book that you're writing about? I agree with Tawny. It sounds like something that I'd love to read. Mads:)
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Mads, LOL! Yeah, I think

Submitted by Karen Kendall on Thu, 2007-01-18 13:32.

Mads,

LOL! Yeah, I think I've learned that guys are not the best sounding boards for what I write. I was at my husband's office last year making extra ARC's and just to torture me, he and a friend did a search of my ms for the word "nipple."

So I'm practically hiding under the desk, my face is so red, and they're pointing and shouting, "Nipple! Nipple! Nipple!" Hooting with laughter, etc. (It was after office hours, don't worry.)

Yup, this is my model for romance, y'all. Can anyone wonder if my heroes are a tad warped?

Anyway, thanks for the kind words on my books! And I'll talk more about the new one soon. Best, K

Karen Kendall
FIT TO BE TIED, March '07
MEN AT WORK, July '07
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, October '07
www.KarenKendall.com

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LMAO

Submitted by Mads on Fri, 2007-01-19 06:33.
Karen, No wonder your stories are so humorous, if you use your husband and his coworkers as your inspiration. I really got a kick out of reading about the panty raid. So tell me, did you dump a bucket of water over all the guys heads after they kept saying Nipple? I think I would have done a lot worse to those idiots. It sounds like thay had a lot of fun at your expense. You know what they say about payback and you're a writer so you can take care of those idiots in print, without them even knowing about it. By the way, what book did you write after that incident? If I don't have it, I want to get it. I'm not really good at contests so I'll just give you my opinion of what I like. I like your offbeat sense of humor, it makes it really fun to read a story with a little humor. I like stories with a bit of suspense, ones that keep you guessing as to what will happen next. The kind of books that you can't put down because, you're afraid to miss what happens next. I like stories that have a little supernatural magic in them. Witches, fairies and such. What I don't like is stories that drag on and take forever, just to introduce the main characters and, their relationship to each other. A story should flow and keep the readers interested in what will happen next with the characters. I also don't like stories with really big words that are not used very often in real life. Although I understand the big words, it makes me think that the author, is just trying to impress me, with how intelligent they are. It's the good thing that I'm not a professional proofreader because, I would be brutal. I may make a few mistakes when I write but, when I'm reading a book, it better have good sentence structure, good spelling and at least make some kind of sense in relationship to the actual storyline. I just recently read a book that had misspelled words throughout the entire book and, the story kept jumping all over the place. I managed to finish the book but, I'll never read another book by this author again. Oh well! Long winded Mads has struck again so, it's time to say, Night All. Have a great day and Good Luck to all the ladies in the contest. Mads:)
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Panty Raid

Submitted by Karen Kendall on Sat, 2007-01-20 14:07.

Hi, Mads--

I loved the panty raid story too! Wish I could take credit for it, but that was Pam Morsi's story, the first one in THE NIGHT WE MET, an anthology I did with her and Colleen Collins, who wrote the last story, which is also great. (Mine's the middle one, FRAME by FRAME, about the photographer.)

LOL, I can't remember which book I wrote after the whole "nipple" incident. That year is just a blur, now.

This is great feedback about plots and settings, everyone--looks like people really like family stories. Best, K

Karen Kendall
FIT TO BE TIED, March '07
MEN AT WORK, July '07
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, October '07
www.KarenKendall.com

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Sorry Karen

Submitted by Mads on Sun, 2007-01-21 09:02.
Karen, I'm sorry I posted about the wrong story. I read so many books that somehow, I sometimes get confused. Blame it on my advancing age. LOL. So, you were the one who wrote about the photographer who was still in love with his deceased lover. I wanted to wring his neck for sheer stupidity. I have to admit that all 3 stories were good. Have a great day. Mads:)
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Congratulations Finn

Submitted by Mads on Tue, 2007-01-23 04:56.
Congrats Finn. Way to Go!!! Mads:)
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Hi, Tawny-- thanks! Well, I

Submitted by Karen Kendall on Thu, 2007-01-18 13:23.

Hi, Tawny--

thanks! Well, I guess we all have to learn to take criticism, LOL. (Hubby informs me that he's been asked in big corporate meetings, "What the f--- were you thinking?" But he just argues back.)

I figure I'm getting pretty good at it, since I've survived some brutal reviews and my latest revision letter, which was sixteen pages of insults . . .

To answer your question, yes! This is the first chapter of a first book in a new series. I'm having a lot of fun with it!

Karen Kendall
FIT TO BE TIED, March '07
MEN AT WORK, July '07
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, October '07
www.KarenKendall.com

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I don't know any men who

Submitted by CrystalGB on Thu, 2007-01-18 13:31.
I don't know any men who read romance. My husband thinks it is silly that I read romance books. I agree that women are the target readers of romance novels. My favorite plots are bad boys, cowboys, men in uniform, secret babies, marriage of convenience. I like novels set in beach locales, ranches, exotic foreign locales.
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I can't resist

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Thu, 2007-01-18 16:34.

I'm not eligible for the contest (shucks!) lol but I can't resist the topic.

Seriously, probably my all time favorite romance premise is amnesia. I used it in About Last Night... and I think I would use it again in a dozen different ways if I could.

Some of my favorite books are amnesia books, and from my reading on the topic, I know it's far from a romantic picnic for real life sufferers, but in romance....I just find the idea of being at a point where all things are new, or all things are strange or scary or possible, or the agnst of losing the past and the search to find it (here's my Pretender addiction showing again, though he didn't technically have amnesia, he did in one episode), just the most romantic thing of all. There's such vulnerablity in it.

Other than amnesia, probably bodyguard/protector scenarios are my second favorite. Nothing like forbidden love under the auspices of life in danger. ;)

Sam

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Did I hear contest? LOL and Chocolate?

Submitted by Kathleen on Thu, 2007-01-18 18:21.
Hey Karen, I thought a bit about this and near the end of my time reading Silhouette and harelquin I was so sick to death reading about marriage of convenience and secret babies! Thanks to Sam, I've started reading her Blaze books. I'd love the opportunity to read one of yours. ;-) My personal favourites were the bachelor themes and small town settings. Those are my keepers and rereads.
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Oh settings is an easy one

Submitted by OV099 on Thu, 2007-01-18 22:04.
Oh settings is an easy one -- I'm a sucker for England. :) But plots, I still like them all. I haven't really read any one more than the other, so I'm not sick of any just yet. I know others I've seen answering that question might hate one or the other type of thing, but I think I'm just lucky in the order I pick books to read, it spreads the plots out. LOL :) However, just looking at the original post again and seeing revenge there, it also depends how it's done. I do remember reading ones where I didn't feel comfy with, the only way I can describe it is as mean revenge, but there's fun revenge. (Make sense? LOL) :) Lois
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Favorites

Submitted by Debbie on Fri, 2007-01-19 00:01.
Karen, Some of my favorite plots start with a conflict and build up. Kinda like how I ended up married. I also love those that involve characters that have been featured in a previous plot and/or story. Pretty much anything that is engrossing or makes for the old tears/laughter combination. I have never pretended to know the mind of a man, but I have recently had a new co-worker (ahem...lots of throat clearing) start and see first hand the male psyche at work and am repulsed daily. I love a good plot with a FAITHFUL man. One who does not even glance at a younger, girl while his partner is not around. A man who sees someone and thinks wow...so and so is just so much more...... Hmmm.....maybe I am just having a rough day. Nonetheless, back on track since I live in sin city, I prefer books that are set in a town where everbody knows your name and are not full of nightlife, gang shootings, or bar fights. A little conflict helps go a long way. Have a great nite, sorry for the (err umm) commentary about young slim 19 year young office mates and boys shes makes drool. Oh yeah on that note I used to love May/December romances....no more! Debbie
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Favorites

Submitted by Lissy on Fri, 2007-01-19 00:14.
I love the amnesia premise and marriage of convenience (or inconvenience as the case may be lol) Settings, Miami, Italy, Vegas and LA. Places I'd love to see :o)
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contest

Submitted by traveler on Fri, 2007-01-19 02:55.
I enjoy reading about revenge, business related intrigue and family saga type books that involve generations of the family. As far as settings I prefer British locales and ones set in Italian cities. They are the most interesting and fascinating stories.
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CONTEST

Submitted by pearl on Fri, 2007-01-19 03:03.
My most favored subject for a novel is mystery within a family, as well as a novel about best friends, their lives and how they either stay together as friends or split up eventually when they are adults due to friction or misunderstanding. My best locales would have to be either in the countryside in England or small Italian villages. More atmosphere and great depiction of the novel.
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contest

Submitted by beach on Fri, 2007-01-19 03:11.
When I choose a particular book it has a certain interesting and compelling background which appeals to me. The ones that I always read are about problems that seem to arise in relationships that have been smooth but are becoming tense, people who want to discover more about their family or a deceased relative and runs into trouble due to prying into things. I love settings that are unique such as Canadian cities that I am familiar with or else European towns that have plenty of scope to provide attraction and intense interest.
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new contest

Submitted by principessa on Fri, 2007-01-19 03:15.
I love books that explore relationships within an extended family. Especially a conventional and happy family with grown children whose lives are normal. The area can be in the U.S. anywhere or in England, France or Italy in the South which is beautiful and has villas where they vacation together.
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different stroke and contest

Submitted by guido on Fri, 2007-01-19 03:19.
If a book catches my interest it would have a historical premise with either World War I or II background and lives that are in extreme danger. This would be set in Europe with England as the major country and Italy as the other area. Gripping reading and excellent locations that serve as the best combo possible.
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I'm new here, hi. And I

Submitted by Maria Duncan (not verified) on Fri, 2007-01-19 20:36.
I'm new here, hi. And I really like this topic. I love romances where old friends get together or old enemies get together. This might sound juvenile but I like the best friend's big brother theme. And I like a book set in a city, it creates a buzzy atmosphere for me.
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Hi Maria!

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Fri, 2007-01-19 21:31.

Welcome to Cigars, I hope we'll see you around often. :)

I love stories like that, too, because you have history between the characters, they aren't new to each other, so it creates a different dynamic.

Hope to see you all around!

Sam

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I love the bad boy thing,

Submitted by Aisling (not verified) on Fri, 2007-01-19 20:41.
I love the bad boy thing, well the boy with the appearance of being bad, but he's really just had a tough background. And the girl breaks through the exterior. I love that. And I love the city-feel to, it's very contemporary.
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Don't ask me why but I love

Submitted by Mary (not verified) on Fri, 2007-01-19 20:46.
Don't ask me why but I love Texas as a background. I'm Irish and have no American connections but I just love Texas! And arranged marriages, I love.
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Gotta say I love the family

Submitted by MD (not verified) on Fri, 2007-01-19 20:53.
Gotta say I love the family secret stuff. Especially when someone dies within the family and the hero has to help the heroine figure out what's going on.
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Hi guys, I've already

Submitted by Maria Duncan on Fri, 2007-01-19 22:20.
Hi guys, I've already commented but I didn't realise you had to register first. So I am now proud to say that I am a member of Love Is An Exploding Cigar, Woo Hoo!
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Romance -- what turns me on.. and off :)

Submitted by Finn on Sat, 2007-01-20 06:00.
Wounded-Healer Roles-- It's always uplifting for me to read a story where the hero or heroine is strong, but has some past turmoil or trauma that the other party helps "heal." But the writer has the difficult task of balancing vulnerability & strength in a character. Otherwise, we're left with the the stock "damsel in distress" or the hero who mistrusts all women b/c someone (eg., GF/Wife/mother) hurt him before. Strong Non-Romantic Plots-- I love having a strong plotline that's not directly related to the romance. Usually, the plots I like involve crime (eg., murder mystery, kidnapping, etc) that I'd read even if the romance weren't steamy. Since a writer can't please everyone, some readers invariably won't like a hero or heroine for some particular reason. Having a compelling mystery makes me read a book even if I'm not sympathetic to one of the protagonists. So the "marriage of convenience and must learn to love each other" plot doesn't do it for me. Ranchers & Cowboys -- Yum! There's something about plots on ranches that suck me in. I think it's because the men need to be tough alphas to tame a wild beast (or woman ;), but also need to have a sensitive side to gain and maintain her trust. Yum! Yum!...and did I mention Yum? Friends to Lovers Plots-- I'm always pleased when people who knew each other in the past (eg., childhood), meet again and have a romantic spark. Flashbacks to embarrassing childhood events/quirks or crushes can be a great source of comedy. Seeing how the characters have grown over time helps me sympathize with them. Hot monkey sex and fatal attraction are always welcome, but something about the friends to lovers plotline leaves me feeling all-warm inside b/c you know that the characters really KNOW each other before the monkey action begins. Small-town Settings -- Small towns always seem to have colorful secondary characters! I also love the small town settings b/c I usually learn about a place or regions that I've never thought of before. Paranormal + Human = Hot -- I'm starting to love Vampires. Having a human half of the couple helps me get into the story b/c I learn about the unusual setting as the human does. (And if it's the girl that's human, it's easier for me to put myself in her lucky shoes!) ** Side note ** Karen, I think it's ok the show a man an excerpt of your novel--but it has to include one of your steamy scenes!
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Thanks for the great--and interesting!--feedback, everyone!

Submitted by Karen Kendall on Sat, 2007-01-20 14:20.

You guys, if I try to respond to every post I'll just clutter up the whole blog, so forgive me if I say thank you as a group!

This is great feedback . . . looks like a lot of people really love family stories with twists and mysteries.

I used to sort of steer away from family stories because I didn't feel qualified to write them--it was mostly just me and my mom when I was growing up. But then I started looking at my extended family, and of course I hear stories from my friends. So FIT TO BE TIED, my March book, is much more about family and the dynamics within it that affect every member, for better or for worse!

Thanks again--you've given me a lot to think about and you ALL deserve chocolate. Best, K

Karen Kendall
FIT TO BE TIED, March '07
MEN AT WORK, July '07
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, October '07
www.KarenKendall.com

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Uber Thanks!

Submitted by Finn on Mon, 2007-01-22 22:19.
Karen (and Sam)-- Thanks much for the honor of picking my entry! I never win anything...I'm looking forward to reading more of Karen's work and the upcoming Bloggers and fan views on this site.
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