Talking about Labor Day, and the all-important reader/author relationship

 cj Sez: I wish all y'all an enjoyable and safe Labor Day holiday.

And Thank You to all who have to work today!
  Did you know? Labor Day is a creation of the labormovement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of Americanworkers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workershave made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

  The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on aTuesday in 1882 in New York City, but in 1884, Congress responded to pressure fromconstituents for a long holiday weekend and passed an act making the firstMonday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbiaand the territories.§§
  Relationships. . . I’ve written a post about this a couple of times before, but I reallylove the importance of the message and think it’s worth repeating.    Over the years, I’ve read some really goodarticles on this subject, and the following post is a product of some of thethings I’ve learned.The dictionary defines the word “relationship” thisway:

noun 1.a connection, association, or involvement. 2. connection between persons by blood or marriage. 3.an emotional or other connection between people: the relationship between teachers and students. 4. a sexual involvement; affair.

  Really, you don’t need another person to have arelationship. You can have a relationship with anything, animate or inanimate.
  In the movie "Turner and Hooch," Tom Hanks’s Turnercharacter builds a crazy relationship with a big, slobber-faced dog. What yousee here is a compulsively neat, bachelor detective whose tidy world encountershousehold destruction and chaos. . . "The Odd Couple" redux.    In the 2000 movie "Castaway," Tom Hanks’s maroonedcharacter creates a relationship with an inanimate object. A Wilson-brandvolleyball takes on a persona. He gives it a face and a name and talks to it asif were another person. . . In the mid-1970s, much of America went through the Pet Rock craze.
  Every day we interact with animals, objects, andpeople of all stripes—family, friends, coworkers, strangers, et al. Ourrelationship with each is different, depending on the circumstances and need.
  Authors create relationships (interactions)between characters in their stories.
  If I’ve gotten you interested enough to continuereading this brief post, then I’ve begun to build a relationship with you, myreader. This reader/author relationship is all about how long can I continue toentertain your interest in what I’m saying … the excitement of learningsomething new or discovering a statement that suddenly makes sense to you.
  That’s how stories must progress if you’re goingto keep your audience interested in your work.
  A writer’s skill at creating a story that draws ina reader emotionally and intellectually is what keeps the reader coming backfor more. That’s when you’ve got the beginnings of a relationship.
  One of the most important relationships authors can have is the one they have with their readers … the relationship they build with their writing.
  How do you build a relationship and grow your fanbase? Know your intended audience as thoroughly as you know your characters,understand their wants, and write the best story you can that will appeal totheir emotions and intellect.
  Caveat: It is the author’s responsibility tomaintain the relationship. The reader doesn’t owe you anything and can end thispromising author/reader relationship at any time—sometimes for no apparentreason.
  If I’ve given you something to think about, thenI’ve done my job, and I’m done here.§§
  Writers, if you want to schedule a post on LyricalPens for a blog tour (new book? Refreshing an older book?), drop me a note.(PG13 work, please.)§§
  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you!
cj

  THEDAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories withsassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for thosequick weekend getaways.)
  The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a fewsigned copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ Follow me on . . .  ➜ Amazon:    AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6