Are you enjoying the flowers yet? Or perhaps you have a garden, and you’ve been getting your hands dirty for the last couple of weeks. Spring is truly my favorite time of year. It isn’t just because everything is picture-perfect; it’s also because we’ve reached the end of the first quarter. This is the time I like to look back at my expectations for 2026, and see what I still need to work on.
Announcements
- Color with Me! My new coloring book is currently under approval by KDP, and it will be live and ready to order very soon.
- The Adventures of Patti and Barci: My illustrations for book two, The Forest of Havana, are coming along great! As soon as they are ready, I’ll be giving my readers a special sneak peek.
A Quick Recap
Last week, I shared the importance of creating a dedicated space and habit for your writing. I also shared some time-saving tips for busy parents to help carve out time for writing amid daily chores. If you feel inclined to share, let me know in the comments or email me at author@anechypadron.com—I’d love to hear what you think about those suggestions!
This Week: The Power of the Reader
When it comes to writing, there is one factor we simply can’t ignore. I’ll let this simmer for a moment while you think about it…
It was one of the reflection questions I mentioned last week: Who are you writing for? Your audience is the most important factor to consider. Imagine that your first draft is finished. That first draft is yours to enjoy and be proud of. When you put that final period on the manuscript, you’ve taken a huge step! You should be so proud of yourself. However, this is the point where you start rewriting. During that process, you must ask yourself: Who is my audience?
Find Your Audience
Personally, I love writing books inspired by life experiences, but I also love reading children’s books, non-fiction, and YA novels. You can probably guess that I love writing for young readers!
Similarly, you might find yourself inspired to write what you love to read. Once you know who you want to write for, you can identify your preferred genre and sub-genre. Finally, it helps to know what your potential audience is currently reading.
To Trend or Not to Trend?
Many indie author influencers suggest finding out what is popular and writing in that same genre. My suggestion? Follow your heart. Are you a trendsetter or a trend follower? If you Google the best-selling genres, you’ll find Romance at the top of the list. But if Romance isn’t your thing, don’t force it! There are endless genres and sub-genres to help you identify your unique story. Another popular trend is writing a series, but you can decide on all of those options later.
Au Revoir!
The most important part of this process is feeling happy with what you do. Once you have a manuscript and you know your audience, do plenty of research to make your book credible. “Fiction” doesn’t mean we invent everything!
Your audience deserves consideration and respect. Readers are smart and sophisticated, and you want your book to inspire them and keep them on their toes, turning pages until the very end. If you want to explore different genres, I suggest you follow the white rabbit, starting with this link.
Next week, I’ll be diving deeper into the writing process. I’m excited to share how I plan a book from beginning to end, structure a manuscript, and create a story map.
Until then, keep writing!
Anechy Padron
The Adventures of Patti and Barci: The City of Cats
Filled with valuable lessons and thrilling moments, The Adventures of Patti and Barci: The City of Cats is an unforgettable read for young animal lovers and adventure seekers.