For all my Brunch Writers! You've spent hours and days with them but the rest of the world needs to get to know, love (or hate) your characters. Over 300, 000 titles are published per year in the United States alone, so assuring current and potential readers know your characters is critical. With series books more popular than ever a savvy writer seeks to get and keep an audience excited about an upcoming release. Compelling story + compelling characters = a great book but if nobody know about it...well you get my point. So in true Brunch Writer fashion here are seven ways to introduce your characters before and after you release that bestseller!1) Do a character interview and post it on your blog; share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and other social media.
3) Make a Pinterest pin board for your characters. Check out this board for one of my favorite couples from my novels Sunday Brunch and The Sunday Brunch Diaries: Rex and Jermane's board.
4) Make a Spotify or Pinterest playlist for your character (A soundtrack for your novel) and share it. 5) Create a promotional campaign: If a beloved character in a series is finally getting married host a virtual shower and invite readers. For mystery books create a "Who killed Grayson Grier?" t-shirt and drop clues until the book is released (Remember no major spoilers).
6) Focus on a theme. For example, if your character is a chef, post a few of his or her recipes on a Facebook page created specifically for the character. If your character is a fashionista, do a blog about her latest fashion finds or share what's in her closet. Send out a news blast/press release from the character's business or latest hot topic: Ex. Lexi Parker finally gets her man! or Sunday Brunch just got real!7) Location, location, location! Did you know your location is like a character? My novel Sweet Magnolia was set in New Orleans. Jazz, restaurants, landmarks spiced up the storyline. Have characters give readers a virtual tour of their city via a book trailer software.
The goal: Bringing that character to life! Find away to evoke emotion in anticipation of your book release. Find away for the readers to step into that character's shoes! Live, breathe and promote your characters as if they are real, because that's exactly what your readers want!
Final word: To have great characters built in a story you must do the research first. Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon is a great source I stumbled upon one day in a bookstore. It is loaded with just about every personality dynamic, physical descriptions, habits, ailments and other human traits imaginable! It is a staple in the Brunch Lady library!
xoxo
Norma L. Jarrett,
Author &
Creator of Brunch Lady :)
www.normajarrett.net
Final word: To have great characters built in a story you must do the research first. Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon is a great source I stumbled upon one day in a bookstore. It is loaded with just about every personality dynamic, physical descriptions, habits, ailments and other human traits imaginable! It is a staple in the Brunch Lady library!
xoxo
Norma L. Jarrett,
Author &
Creator of Brunch Lady :)
www.normajarrett.net
