Goodreads asked Samantha Bruce-Benjamin:

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Samantha Bruce-Benjamin For any author, there can be no greater pleasure than hearing from readers. I think one of the wonderful things about social media is that authors are able to move out of their self-imposed exile and truly connect with the people who make writing worthwhile: readers.

I am an avid reader myself, so to know that I have pleased anyone with my writing, who shares in my passion, is so special to me. Moreover, I take reader opinions very seriously. Not simply when they are praiseworthy of one of my novels, but also when they are critical. Something I learned as a literary editor is that writing should be an ongoing learning process and authors should always remain open to criticism, despite how difficult it can be to hear. Only in this way can an author improve. Fundamentally, I value my readers highly as I'm very much of the opinion that you can tell an awful lot about someone by the books they like. I feel that I've kindled some wonderful friendships on sites like Goodreads, which have proven very rewarding - and helpful to my work.

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