What makes a good book? Or even one great? We all have different loves and likes when it comes to authors and stories. And this is something I have been thinking more and more about especially since my own writing muse seems to be coming back.
So what are the things when you go looking for a book? What is the first things that draw you in?
When I go looking for a book I am open to almost anything. Whatever catches my eye is what I look at. There is a lot of debate that it isn't a cover that draws you in first. For me it is. If the cover doesn't catch my eye I'm not likely to read the title let alone anything else more. If the title interest me I will look deeper. Then comes the blurb. It is hard to come up with a blurb, something so condensed that it gives the reader a taste of the real gem waiting inside the pages.
Every writer has a different voice, way of telling their story. This is one of the reasons why I love reading so much. But what makes a good writer is the fact that they are consistent with the story, the way the characters interact. Yes, the world of paranormal has opened a lot more possibilities to us as both readers and writers.But even then you need to give valid reasons for characters actions, you cant make them wishy washy and so uncertain that they appear insane unless they really are. Common sense also plays a huge role in how your character develops and interacts.
But even insanity has rules, guidelines, and a method to its madness for being there in the story to begin with. The supernatural can be hard to write about, hard to describe in vivid detail. But that is part of the challenge.
I love a book that surprises me. Not all surprises have to be huge but enough for the reader to remember and stick out later after they have put the book down. I like twist and turns in my story, it shows how creative the writers is. It makes a story more promising.
You are told as a writer not to make the reader feel stupid by explaining every detail or action in your story but we know that humans act on common sense, at least most of the time we try to. The same must happen in our stories.
I like a book that can touch me in some way.
I read a lot of erotica romance. Before that I use to read a lot of historical romances. I have been getting into darker romances, more erotic. I have also been enjoying horror and the supernatural. But when it comes to horror and supernatural or even thrillers my level of expectations are much higher. I want an author who can mess with my head, make me scared as I delve deeper into the pages. And if you are going to say that the story is partially true then make it believable. Dont ask me to stretch the realism so far that it becomes a matter stupidity on the readers part.
What are your thoughts? From one reader to another? From an author to a reader? Tell me what grips you and holds you there.
