Things you love in stories
- Thread starter Stunted
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Words.
Salis, have I got a book for you! Just let me get it published...
I like good prose quality. It doesn't have to be poetic, but I like a good natural flow and a certain elegance. Clear and simple is good. Purple or clunky is bad.
I like a really good story. If it makes me laugh or cry, so much the better.
I like some depth, some sense that the author has some wisdom, compassion, exceptional understanding of the human condition.
Imagination, a sense of wonder, delight, intelligence: those are also pretty cool.
I know this is all kind of abstract, but that's why I tend to read quite widely. I'm not interested so much in a particular genre (although SFF has always been a favourite) as I am in the best of each genre. I like the cream.
Salis, have I got a book for you! Just let me get it published...
I like good prose quality. It doesn't have to be poetic, but I like a good natural flow and a certain elegance. Clear and simple is good. Purple or clunky is bad.
I like a really good story. If it makes me laugh or cry, so much the better.
I like some depth, some sense that the author has some wisdom, compassion, exceptional understanding of the human condition.
Imagination, a sense of wonder, delight, intelligence: those are also pretty cool.
I know this is all kind of abstract, but that's why I tend to read quite widely. I'm not interested so much in a particular genre (although SFF has always been a favourite) as I am in the best of each genre. I like the cream.
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Have you tried Jack Vance? His dialogue is reminiscent of Jane Austen.Good dialogue in fantasy/SF. It's pretty rare/nonexistent.
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When actions always have consequences
Subtle humour
True friendship
Sacrifices
Proactive characters (Isn't it curious that the most proactive characters are usually the villains?)
Tragic heroes
Bitter sweet endings
Dilemmas
Realism
Subtle humour
True friendship
Sacrifices
Proactive characters (Isn't it curious that the most proactive characters are usually the villains?)
Tragic heroes
Bitter sweet endings
Dilemmas
Realism
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Have you tried Jack Vance? His dialogue is reminiscent of Jane Austen.
I'm not sure I'd consider that a good thing.
TheUnknownAuthor
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For some reason a story that deals with "Loss Of Innocence" really makes my ears perk up. I like seeing a good moral character realize the world isn't a perfect place & be changed by that. If it is done right I always think it is a fascinating read....
Subtle humor/wit
Flawed protagonists
Surprise twists
Urgency/danger/character's feelings that jump off the page and force you to share them. If I forget I'm reading while I'm reading, it's a job beautifully done.
Flawed protagonists
Surprise twists
Urgency/danger/character's feelings that jump off the page and force you to share them. If I forget I'm reading while I'm reading, it's a job beautifully done.
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I like characters I can worry about. Settings that are described well enough that I can fill them in without getting lost in the next chapter, but not catalogued. Small details that make characters real and their lives believable. Purpose. That's a biggie, and hard to pin down. I don't like stories that don't go anywhere. Something should either make me think or make me feel satisfied. Laughs are good, so are tears.
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1.) Interesting dialogue.
2.) I like it when you read something funny in a book and for a minute you can't figure out if the author meant to be funny or not, but then you realize, based on what you've already read, that the author is far too clever not to have realized that what you just read was humorous. I love it when that happens!
3.) Books with two MCs-- a male and female--who are both straight but nothing more than close friends. (Which is to say, I would love that if ever saw it.)
2.) I like it when you read something funny in a book and for a minute you can't figure out if the author meant to be funny or not, but then you realize, based on what you've already read, that the author is far too clever not to have realized that what you just read was humorous. I love it when that happens!
3.) Books with two MCs-- a male and female--who are both straight but nothing more than close friends. (Which is to say, I would love that if ever saw it.)
Ambiguous endings that a) allow me to think for myself and b) make it clear the characters have a life beyond the last page.
Only thing I disagree with in Judg's post.
If I'm seeing words and not pictures, I probably won't like the book.
EDIT: I knew what she meant, I just wanted to illustrate a point
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Didn't that Hemingway fellow say something about endings? If you go far enough, every character dies? Something like that?
You reminded me of that, anyways.
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LOL! Yes, it's definitely good if the words make you see pictures. Although sometimes the words themselves can be delicious.Only thing I disagree with in Judg's post.
If I'm seeing words and not pictures, I probably won't like the book.
EDIT: I knew what she meant, I just wanted to illustrate a point
I love most of these things, too.
I'll add: a fair bit of confusion, or Fate playing nasty games in a wonderfully wicked way.
I get bored if things are too much like real life. 'Does she get the guy?' does nothing for me, I'm afraid.
I'll add: a fair bit of confusion, or Fate playing nasty games in a wonderfully wicked way.
I get bored if things are too much like real life. 'Does she get the guy?' does nothing for me, I'm afraid.
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BIG ditto.
I also really like when my imagination just takes over and everything looks different in my head than it's supposed to in the book and I reread it and it's like "What?" That usually means I really enjoyed the book.
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