When I first began my career in advertising, I never imagined how much it would impact my writing career. Yet, as I look back on my journey, I realize that my time as a creative director in the advertising world played a significant role in shaping the way I write stories today. Crafting compelling advertisements required many of the same skills that are now essential in my writing: attention to detail, understanding the audience, and the ability to evoke emotion with just a few words.
In this blog, I’ll explore the unique ways my background in advertising has influenced my fiction writing, including how it impacted the creation of Toni L. Rocha Books and why I am dedicated to writing stories that resonate with readers.
The Power of Brevity and Precision
In advertising, every word counts. Whether it’s a catchy tagline, a brief radio spot, or a concise newspaper ad, you learn to convey a powerful message in a limited space. This emphasis on brevity has directly impacted my approach to all of my writing. I strive to keep my narratives tight and my language precise, avoiding unnecessary filler. In a college composition class, this is what the professor termed “concrete writing.” He emphasized writing clear, concise sentences without relying on excessive adjectives and adverbs.
In my novels, every sentence has a purpose, driving the plot forward or revealing something significant about a character. I learned that a well-chosen phrase can evoke more emotion than a lengthy description, and this lesson has served me well as I transitioned from advertising to novel writing. It’s one of the reasons why my novels are known for their fast-paced and engaging storytelling.
Creating Impactful Characters and Stories
In my advertising days, I was tasked with creating characters that could connect with audiences in seconds. Whether it was the friendly voice in a radio ad, the face in a television commercial or characters employed to tell a story, I needed to ensure that they felt relatable, authentic, and engaging. In fiction, I continue to use this skill by crafting characters who are multidimensional and human. They are flawed, they have strengths and weaknesses, and they face challenges that readers can understand. This focus on authentic characters is especially evident in my dedication to creating stories that empower and encourage women. My stories feature strong female protagonists who overcome obstacles, face adversity, and come out stronger—often with newfound confidence. My experience taught me that people connect to stories through characters they can care about, and this understanding drives the way I develop protagonists like Ellie Franklyn, the lead in my latest novel.
Attention to Detail and Research Skills
Another aspect of advertising that has deeply influenced my fiction writing is the emphasis on research and detail. In advertising, you have to understand the product inside and out, knowing what makes it special and why it should matter to the target audience. This need for thorough research translates directly into my fiction work. Whether I’m writing about a historical event, exploring a new setting, or getting the intricacies of an arson investigation just right, I put in the same meticulous attention to detail. My background in advertising taught me that authenticity matters, and I bring that same commitment to my novels, including the accuracy and realism found in Toni L. Rocha Books.
Understanding the Audience’s Needs
In advertising, everything revolves around the audience. Who are we trying to reach? What do they need? What will resonate with them? This same mindset is essential when writing fiction. I’m always considering my readers—their interests, their emotions, and what they hope to gain from a story. Writing fiction isn’t just about telling a story I want to tell; it’s about connecting with readers and providing them with a meaningful experience. This audience-centered perspective was ingrained in me during my advertising career, and it continues to guide the way I write my books today. It’s why many of my novels fall under the category of Confidence Boosting Stories, aiming to inspire and uplift readers.
Crafting Engaging and Memorable Openings
The opening lines in advertising have to grab attention instantly, and the same is true in fiction. My background taught me that the first impression is everything—whether it’s an ad or the first chapter of a novel. In my fiction, I aim to captivate readers from the first sentence, ensuring they are immediately drawn into the world I’ve created. Those early lessons in creating engaging openings in advertisements have translated into an ability to craft compelling story beginnings that hook readers and make them want to know more about Books by Toni L. Rocha.
The Bottom Line
My advertising background left a lasting mark on the way I approach fiction writing. From creating impactful characters to understanding my audience, from crafting concise narratives to blending imagination with reality, the lessons I learned in advertising are embedded in my novels. Although the mediums are different, the core of both advertising and fiction writing is the same: storytelling. It’s about crafting a narrative that connects, that resonates, and that stays with people long after they’ve turned the page. Whether you’re looking for a suspenseful mystery or an inspiring tale of growth, you’ll find that Books by Toni L. Rocha are shaped by a unique blend of creativity and clarity—a combination that I honed during my years in advertising.