Comments on: Overcoming Barriers That Limit Your Audience

By: Tessa Emily Hall

Tessa Emily Hall — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:57:26 +0000

My manuscript has been offered a publishing contract, and I’m a teenager – so I know what you mean about having to “convince” people that you’re an adult. In my writing career, I don’t want my age to hold me back. Instead, I hope that my age will give me more of an advantage in the writing career and challenge me to strive to be the best I can be in this industry. I also hope that since I am currently living in my teen years, that the audience I’m targeting (youth) will feel more “connected” to my story, since (as you’ve mentioned) I am apart of my audience.

I’m in love with Robin Jones Gunn’s YA books. My best friend actually committed her life to Christ by reading “Summer Promise”, and I know that many other teenagers have shared the same experience by reading her stories. She definitely has a gift with connecting to her audience.

By: Nikki Hahn

Nikki Hahn — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:51:35 +0000

I’m glad I made you laugh. ) I bet Jerry Jenkins did good research. My gosh, the book made read from cover to cover unable to put it down!

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:09:13 +0000

Lisa, good point! The more time spent with an audience, the better you understand and relate to your audience.

Nikki, I don’t know the story behind Jerry Jenkins writing that book, but I would bet he did some research and interviewed a few people.
Your second comment made me laugh!

By: Lisa Harman

Lisa Harman — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:09:01 +0000

I think the mentor moms who write for MOPS do a great job of this. They authentically immerce themselves in the lives and issues of the women they are trying to reach which allows them to stay relevant.

By: Nikki Hahn

Nikki Hahn — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:51:48 +0000

But on another more personal note, I can relate. When I try to speak enthusasitically to a bunch of people in their 70′s or 80′s about reaching people for Christ. Sometimes, they pat me on the head condecendingly as if my age was a serious drawback. It’s hard to look young and I can only imagine it must be twice as hard for you. Gosh, you look really young, or maybe I’m just feeling old. lol.

By: Nikki Hahn

Nikki Hahn — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:49:49 +0000

Jerry Jenkins wrote, Though None Go With Me. I could be wrong but he isn’t quite the age to have gone through the Great Depression to know what it might feel like, but from what I read on the Great Depression Though None Go With Me is an excellent book.

By: Rachel Zurakowski

Rachel Zurakowski — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:27:18 +0000

Lol! BJ, I can relate!

I agree with you; Tricia and Jan do a great job.

By: BJ Hamrick

BJ Hamrick — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:19:02 +0000

Writing for teens still seems perfect for me, because last week I walked into my new volunteer office at the hospital and the supervisor said, “I thought they were going to send an adult.” Yay for young looks… we’ll be happy about them some day!

I think Tricia Goyer and Jan Kern do a great job connecting with teen readers. They’re personally involved in their lives so they KNOW what’s going on in their worlds. Three rounds of applause for them.