The secret to becoming a best-selling romance author is the million-dollar question.

How many books have left you scratching your head after seeing them climb to best sellers? In my case, several authors have left me pondering the fairness of life. Two, in particular, come to mind. One of them had her books turned into movies that are as bad as her novels, but which did well at the box office. The other is a popular, enduring author whose writing is mainly comprised of the word AND.

Many of the reviews I’ve read brand their writing as unexciting, repetitive, mind-numbingly simplistic with obvious plots, and yet I read their books with much interest for the simple reason that both these authors clearly have a grasp of their audience and their market.

Each of these authors has each managed to draw a large, devoted following and acquired success in a market that’s so competitive. They have both tapped into their respective markets to a level of success most writers only dream of, and regardless of what you think of their writing styles, that deserves recognition.

Whether as a hobby or to make a living, you’re writing your books to sell not to sit on the shelf. If that means compromising your writing style somewhat, so be it. Life is full of compromises. If it wasn’t I’d be living on my own island in the Pacific surrounded by turquoise waters, and sporting that tiny bikini I haven’t fit into since forever.