Writers as Promise Keepers

As writers, we are artists. We are also, however, business people who owe our clients the best of what we have to offer. Often times, writers get caught up in their story told in their way, and many of us become resistant to making accommodations to what the public wants. Our voice is more important. Or is it? 

When we write for an audience we are making promises to the reader.

      1. Promise of Entertainment. 

Hours of time worth ignoring a reader's other interests and forms of entertainment.
     2. Promise of Escape. 

Escape that makes a reader return to his real world with a sigh and regret there wasn't more story.

     3. Promise of Memories.

Memories of a story, characters, events, twists, new experiences or new worlds that a reader can't seem to shake, and doesn't want to.

     4. Promise of Value.

Positive feelings that purchasing the book was well worth the investment.

    5. Promise Worth of Endorsement. 

Promise that the story is so meaningful that the reader will want to tell others. It's a message worth spreading.


Saying your book is for sale means nothing. Saying a beautiful story is available, a story about ___ , is more like it. A reader also cares nothing about your sales, where you're selling, or how many you need to sell to win a contest or climb Amazon's ranking.

To the reader, it should be only about the story . . . and the delivered silent promises from the author.

When a reader buys your book, you've promised him a deep experience to improve his quality of life. It's a heavy responsibility. If you aren't sure you can make that sort of impact with your book, hold off publishing it until you can. Otherwise, you're breaking promises.

Here's to merry holidays and keeping promises.