Monday, October 24, 2016

You're How Old?

I spotted this online:
2014 Romance Book Buyer Report | Nielsen and RWARomance buyers have gotten younger, with an average buyer age of nearly 48 in 2010 declining to almost 44 in 2013, and dropping further to 42 in early 2014. 
Not sure what to think about this. Are most of our romance readers over 40?
It got me thinking. How old are my readers?
 Do I see my reader when I'm writing my books?

The last few months for multiple reasons have been a challenge but life appears to be  getting back to normal and I'm focusing on my writing again. Yeah!
I think this is a good time to look at my books and "see" my reader when I plan a book. I'm hoping this will make a better book and more focused for my readers.
What do you think about the age of romance readers? Do you write for a certain age group?

12 comments:

  1. I like to write the stories that I enjoy reading. So I see my readers as my own age, but then again... I don't see myself at my own age! :)

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    1. I can agree with that. I don't see myself in my age bracket. I agree with writing what you read and enjoy. Thanks. Melissa.

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  2. A story comes into my mind and I write. Some are Mature Romances and others are age worthy for the general readers. I am the Grandma Moses of writers. After a long theatrical career I began to write. Color me 85. How did that happen? Still young at heart. Be well, my friend.

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    1. Thanks Charmaine. It sounds like you have a great attitude and appeal to any age.

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  3. The stories in my head are the stories I write and I'm guessing it mostly for adults of any age. I never think about how old my readers. I guess, if I were to write a children's book, it would be different.

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    1. Children or YA are different categories, would probably be limited to their age group. I'm actually glad to see writers aren't aimed at specific age groups. focusing on plugging the

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  4. Hi, Beverley! That's a great question, but I don't write to a specific age group. I just say over 18.

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    1. I'm beginning to wonder where the study got the lower ages and most romance readers appear to be over 40. It sounds like romance appeals to every age. Thanks Vicki.

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  5. I'm young at heart at fifty-five and just barely considered a senor citizen. I read and write. I considered my readers to be any where from seventeen to seventy and try to write toward that demographic.

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    1. That sounds great and your style must suit everyone.

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  6. I write about strong historical women who actually lived, and they're all ages--most of my books start when they're teenagers and end when they're way older. I'm a very young 59, and don't even think about the age of my heroines.

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  7. Like most of these commenters I never think of my own age when writing. I don't think we ever outgrow our love of the "falling in love" aspect of a good romance. I've never written a really young heroine and for the most part the only time I think about how old they are is when I'm working out the logistics. Like if they're a single mom of a teenager or it's a reunion story etc.

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