Charlene D’Avanzo: Last weekend Maine Authors Publishing, my publisher, hosted their annual “Meet and Greet” event – an opportunity to talk to people who read – or might be interested in reading – my books.

Of course, meeting folks who read your books is very different from writing books. Many of us come up with features like characters, setting, and issues alone in our office in front of a computer. Given that isolation how do we write something people will actually want to read?

A few ideas: First, get insights from well-written books you like and admire. For example, early on I read and reread Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs novels. The multi-prize winning author (e.g. Agatha Alex, and Macavity awards) writes about issues that matter (e.g. the British Isles during the German blitzkrieg) with characters we admire and will remember.

Your own “issues that matter” may seem insignificant compared to global wars. What’s important is that they really matter to you. I am a marine ecologist so it’s no surprise that my stories take place in marine settings where ecological issues are at stake – such as rough-and-tumble nature of Maine’s signature fishery (Secrets Haunt The Lobsters’ Sea) and climate change deniers (Cold Blood Hot Sea).

Finally, what are features of characters we admire and remember? You need to create folks that are charismatic, relatable, and flawed so readers are more likely to remember your book. Readers may not like your characters but they do need to find them interesting.