Writers and Readers have one thing in common—we love to read. I just finished SEP’s Natural Born Charmer, and wow, read it in one sitting. Her characters are always so deeply intriguing.
I love gritty romantic suspense. Karen Rose, Tess Gerritsen, Karen Robards provide amply. Adore Susanne Brockman, SEP, Nora Roberts. And the quirky musings of Jenny Crusie and Stephanie Bond.
I just discovered Christeen Feehan—I know, I know, where have I been, under a rock? But as a writer I don’t always have time to find new authors—that’s my sister’s job. And I’m jealous with my time. The book has to grab me right off.
I’m re-reading a couple Julie Garwood historicals—love ‘em
In a book, I like great characterization, good plot—one I can sink down into—and yes, sex. I want to read about interesting characters and I want dialogue that is fresh and real and interesting. Did I mention interesting?
My guilty pleasure—the extinct bodice ripper. I have to be PC in real life, I don’t want to have to do it in a book. I read for pleasure. It’s fiction.
So, c’mon, tell me what you like in a book. And tell me what you hate. As a writer, I’m really interested.
I love gritty romantic suspense. Karen Rose, Tess Gerritsen, Karen Robards provide amply. Adore Susanne Brockman, SEP, Nora Roberts. And the quirky musings of Jenny Crusie and Stephanie Bond.
I just discovered Christeen Feehan—I know, I know, where have I been, under a rock? But as a writer I don’t always have time to find new authors—that’s my sister’s job. And I’m jealous with my time. The book has to grab me right off.
I’m re-reading a couple Julie Garwood historicals—love ‘em
In a book, I like great characterization, good plot—one I can sink down into—and yes, sex. I want to read about interesting characters and I want dialogue that is fresh and real and interesting. Did I mention interesting?
My guilty pleasure—the extinct bodice ripper. I have to be PC in real life, I don’t want to have to do it in a book. I read for pleasure. It’s fiction.
So, c’mon, tell me what you like in a book. And tell me what you hate. As a writer, I’m really interested.
TLGray http://www.TL-Gray.com The World According To Ali--In Stores Now!Winner 2006 LORIES-Single Title; 2nd- Anne-Bonney Readers Choice AwardObject Of His Affection--In Stores Soon! Don't wait, order yours today at Cerridwen Print Store
7 comments:
Hi TL~
I like memorable characters. I'm a sucker for a devastating hero any day as well as great dialogue. It doesn't matter whether the story is character-driven or plot-driven, as long as the characters are people I can't bear to leave even to sleep, I will love the story.
I agree with you about the sex. I may end up being a dirty old lady when I'm older, but hey, at least I'll have some excitement in my life! LOL.
What I don't like are contrived scenes and plots and lack of believable motivation. Once I feel disappointed as a reader, it's hard for me to give that author a second chance.
And on the flip side of Liz's last observation, I've read some very dull books because I liked the main character from the author's previous book.
Bill
I love sub-plots and colorful secondary characters. There was a time when every historical I read was about one man and one woman and little else. I found them boring and stopped reading them for a few years. I'm partial to big, juicy historicals that span continents and take place over several years. Throw in a war, and I'm happy. In historicals or contemps I don't like gratuitous sex just because it's time to throw in a love scene, or graphic sex since my imagination is quite fertile, thank you. I like devilish heros and resourceful heroines, and please, dialogue that sounds like it came out of the characters' mouths, not out of the keyboard.
Characters, characters, characters. I was in a funk and couldn't write for a week after reading JR Ward's new series. Her characters are deep and flawed and her writing is sharp and fresh. Made my writing look like stick figures.
Nancy, you're right, the love scenes shouldn't be gratuituous--you should learn something about the characters during this time. I don't care if they're 50 love scenes as long as I come away with a better sense of the characters or they've learned something through the interaction.
TLGray http://www.TL-Gray.com
The World According To Ali--In Stores Now!
Winner 2006 LORIES-Single Title; 2nd- Anne-Bonney Readers Choice Award
Object Of His Affection--In Stores Soon! Don't wait, order yours today at Cerridwen Print Store
Bill, you're a dedicated reader and I salute you!
TLGray http://www.TL-Gray.com
The World According To Ali--In Stores Now!
Winner 2006 LORIES-Single Title; 2nd- Anne-Bonney Readers Choice Award
Object Of His Affection--In Stores Soon! Don't wait, order yours today at Cerridwen Print Store
Kendra, I think flawed is the key word here. We're all flawed, and that's what makes us bond, as readers, with the characters. I'll bond with a character much faster if they're having a bad day than I will if they're perfect and life is great.
And right now, I'm really concentrating on motivations and internal conflict--cause that's where the action is for characters, and it only fuels the plot more, I think.
TLGray http://www.TL-Gray.com
The World According To Ali--In Stores Now!
Winner 2006 LORIES-Single Title; 2nd- Anne-Bonney Readers Choice Award
Object Of His Affection--In Stores Soon!
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