Whoa. This was a major epiphany! Here goes--

Before we even reach out to our market, we have to know who that market is. Otherwise, who are we talking to.

So, as I was figuring out who is my reader--who are my gatekeepers--it occurred to me, isn't this what I do when I'm writing?

I create a character.

Before I can put words to paper I have to have a clear picture of who my hero is. What do they want? What interests does she have?

Well, guess what?

That's exactly what we have to do when we are defining our market.

Our market isn't an amorphous blob, but a person with hopes and dreams. And the more I know my market, the better able, I am, to reach them.

At long last, my writing talents can be put to good use! Besides this idyllic dream of being an author, I can put my talents to figuring who would want to read my work and then reach out to them.