By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Some novelists ensure their books have reader questions, and others skip over that section. Maybe you’re asking yourself if the questions are needed. I mean, you’ve spent weeks or months on the book, and you’ve worked hard to create incredible characters, an intricate plot, dynamic dialogue, an interesting setting, believable emotions, woven literary techniques, and strong editing. Why add reader questions?

I believe reader questions make a novel more enticing. The prompts are a subtle means of expressing genuine care for the reader. Posing questions draw the reader into the characters’ goals, problems, and personalities.

10 reasons reader questions make a novel more marketable.

1. Book clubs and reading groups depend on questions for interesting discussions.
2. Individual readers appreciate the thought-provoking means of applying the story’s theme and issues to their daily lives.
3. Group leaders explore online reader questions as an aid in making book selections.
4. Writers who provide reader questions are more apt to attend a book club meeting in person or virtually.
5. Reader questions open the person’s mind as to how others think and live.
6. Reader questions offer the potential to change opinions about preconceived ideas.
7. Readers can learn more about the book’s theme from the discussion.
8. Readers often decide if they want to read the author again based on the questions.
9. Readers can expand their creativity by discussing how they might rewrite the ending.
10. Writers who develop discussion questions show they care about the reader’s experience.

What do you think, writer? Are you including reader questions in your next novel? Do you have a reason to include them that hasn’t been stated above? Let’s share.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com