Tuesday, March 27, 2007


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.
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:

Liz Falkner said...

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.

Dr. Bill Emener said...

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

Nancy Morse said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

TL-Gray said...

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

TL-Gray said...

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

TL-Gray said...

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!