Who is the Target Audience?

I'm spending a lot of time blogging, engaging writing groups, and soliciting emails from adults. I'm following the tools given to me by the wisdom of those who have already jumped on the moving train. But my brain keeps asking me, 'who is your target audience?' Occasionally, a Middle Grade reader is testing the writing waters or interested in what I'm writing. However, my marketing audience has been writers over readers. Guess who is reading this blog now? You are a writer, right?

If I'm writing a Middle Grade novel with content geared in that direction, it would make since that I market to Middle Graders. But they are a harder audience to pull from. My libraries are full of kids reading and my daughters schools are full of hopeful readers. Where is the market for them? I know some of you are getting to do live readings but that is not a buyers market. Put aside the argument, "write for yourself, not for the sale...blah, blah, blah."
We are all ecstatic to discover when someone reads our work.   
Even I have said, "I just want to be considered an author." In my head the rest of the sentence goes..."so people will read my stuff."

I know there are reader avenues to take as I mentioned before. But I'm looking for traffic that gives back at a higher percentage. So is my audience you...oh great blog wanderer? Or is it the kid who will snuggle in her nook and read his newest book? That's my conundrum for the moment. I do love a challenge. 

On The Write Track

I do not believe everything happens for a reason. However, one of the dumbest things I did as a kid was to stand as close to a passing train or even crawl under a four foot trench as the train passed over head. At the time we, had red cabooses which designated the end of a train. Our eventual goal was hitch a ride on the caboose while it passed by. Luckily for me, we never got the courage to attempt this dangerous act of childhood bravery.

Thirty years later, these images are fresh in my mind for this critical scene I am writing. My heart still skips as I read it out loud while editing. Train tracks still facinate me today.  Then, I read an article about the Train of Death in Mexico. I can't afford to check this mother of a story for myself so I have created my own story. 

If you don't believe in a God, there are still moments when you feel "the force" or a sense of peace. This could be at the beach, hearing a song, or meditation. If you do believe in God, there are environments which bring you closer to him. This could be through Church, reading the Bible, or exploring creation. 

When writing, I usually start by taking a walk. I'm mentally documenting the environment. Is it cold and how does it feel? Is it cloudy and how can I describe it. Who is that stranger and what is his life story? When I arrive at my destination and I'm ready to right, I have this frame of mind that connects me to the story. Lately I'm back on the rails of the train tracks. I want to feel the steel and hear the trumpet. That gets me excited to finish this story I want to share.