Run or a nap? I went for a run instead of sleeping, and reflected on what I’ve been thinking over for a long while now: my target audience for Redemption was primarily male. I have proof. My marketing plan says so. Males typically love thrillers and psychological drama, yet most of my reviews are from women. In fact, many of the “fan mail” I have received came from women as well, some who have a giant crush on Sam.
One could argue (and rightfully so) that women are more inclined to write reviews. But that can’t be all of it. I have talked to men who have read my book, love it, asked them to write a review, and . . . nothing. However, truth be told I think I hit an unanticipated audience. I struck a chord where I didn’t think that I would.
The Lowest Common Denominator: Often genre writers or television producers use a gimmick to attract readers: they appeal to the lowest common denominator. (Don’t worry, this is a writing post, not a math one.) Examples: Men like blood, guts, gore, guns, fast cars, gorgeous women, and heroes that do things we think “sure, I would do that, given the chance.” Spies, cops, ordinary guys that rise to extraordinary occasions: you know Jack Reacher, Dirk Pitt, and from the movies John McClane and Dirty Harry. If you write that kind of character, write it well, and market it well, you will sell books, right? Men will buy them. Not that women won’t, this isn’t a sexist thing. However, Clive Cussler’s primary target audience is not the average woman.
Likewise, women like romance (in general). Strong men who swoop in and rescue the girl, hot men, hot sex, and happy endings. Daniel Steele built a career on it, and movies like Pretty Woman and You’ve Got Mail excel at capitalizing on this demographic. There’s a reason it’s called a ‘chick flick’ by the male species. We go, sure, but we go with you
What brings both men and women to a book or a movie? The highest common denominator, of course. So what is it? Story. It’s that simple. Your story, told powerfully, will draw all kinds of readers. Genre does not matter, and neither does your “target” audience. My wife read what I thought was a “chick book” because of the “romance-y” cover and the blurb on the back. She handed it to me:
“Honey you have to read this.”
I gave her the look. You know the one.
“Seriously, this is a great story.”
I read it. I loved the book, loved the story, and loved the writing. Tight. Tense. Exciting. A total “guy read.” Sure there was romance, sex, and love involved. But those things didn’t overpower the story. Characters jumped off the page and dragged you to the finish, where they were changed, and in their changing, so was the reader.
Don’t limit yourself. Don’t see yourself short. Write your story to the highest common denominator. You’ll appeal to us all: across genre, across sex, and around the world.
Until next time.
