Addict Your Reader
There's more to a great book than good writing, real characters and a cool plot. A great book will reel you in and when it's over, you'll be desperate for more.
Are you writing a book, non-fiction or fiction?
Use your final scene in the story to create a sense of fulfillment in your reader. Take them on an emotional rollercoaster with your writing and then leave them on a high.
Addict them.
First lines, first pages, will get me to pick up a book and read it. The thrill of the story and how the ending makes me feel will decide whether that author gets read again.
For example, I'd never read Linda Howard before a few years ago. One night I picked up Cry No More, which I'd gotten from the library. I couldn't put it down.
Howard engaged me, made me cry and worry and then at the end gave me such an euphoria that I knew I had to read something by her again.
It was intense, and that addicted me.
Which books have done this for you? Which author do you read without ever checking out the plot, because you know the author will leave you satisfied?
Are you writing a book, non-fiction or fiction?
Use your final scene in the story to create a sense of fulfillment in your reader. Take them on an emotional rollercoaster with your writing and then leave them on a high.
Addict them.
First lines, first pages, will get me to pick up a book and read it. The thrill of the story and how the ending makes me feel will decide whether that author gets read again.
For example, I'd never read Linda Howard before a few years ago. One night I picked up Cry No More, which I'd gotten from the library. I couldn't put it down.
Howard engaged me, made me cry and worry and then at the end gave me such an euphoria that I knew I had to read something by her again.
It was intense, and that addicted me.
Which books have done this for you? Which author do you read without ever checking out the plot, because you know the author will leave you satisfied?
Comments
Karen Kingsbury, Lisa Samson, Frank Peretti, and others all leave me wanting more. Right now, I'm trying to sample a wide range of Christian authors and genres.
Every book has its own flavor. Some are exciting, others more literary, and others sweet romances.
I love a book where I can't figure out the ending. Somehow it ruins it for me if the ending is predictable.
Blessings,
Susan :)
But I did really enjoy THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield, and will probably pick up her next book if for no other reason than just to savor some more of her amazingly beautiful prose. :-)
Like Anita, I really enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale. I'm looking forward to reading more of Diane Setterfield in the future.
No, I hear you on that. With Howard, I loved that particular book was so amazing to me, and so I picked up other books of her. Some were great, others were just normal. I didn't used to be a picky reader in school but maybe now that we have less time we're more picky? What do you think?
Very true. Peretti was one where I read one and was like, Man, I have to read more.
Great authors. A twisty ending is always fun, as long as it makes sense. Even though a romance is predictable, it can still be hooky. But it takes work. Suspense is easier, imo, to surprise the reader.
Peretti does a good job with that.
I would too. Not only did I love her writing (and savored it!) but I flew through that book. I just had to know what would happen next. If you hear of her writing another, let me know.
If I pick up a book at the library by someone I've never read, and LOVE it, I most definitely will gorge myself on their books. I'll go through everyone I can find.
There's on Christian romance novelist that I absolutely adored, but lately she hasn't written any romances and the books she did write, well, I just couldn't get into them. I was disappointed too.
Thanks for the congrats. :-)
I've heard a lot about Kidd and Lamb. May have to check them out. :-)
Lately, I've thorough enjoyed M.L. Tyndall, Julie Lessman and Tamera Alexander.
I discovered Julie Garwood and loved her, but now I mostly read Christian fiction too. Although I haven't had the privilege of reading Tyndall or Alexander, I have read both of Lessman's books and they were great. I flew through them.
Thanks for stopping by!
Jen
P.S. Way to go, Jessica! I am so proud of you for finishing!
I've heard so much about that author! I really need to read the series.
And LOL I don't think we're way younger than you. Well, some of us. But some are older. Susan may be around your age, I'm guessing.
Thanks for stopping by. :-)
I am also stuck on the J A Jance mysteries with Joann Brady as the protagonist and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Definitely not Christian fiction and dictionary sized books, but I must find out what happens next to Jamie and Claire.
Dictionary-sized books! That's funny.
I've heard of the Outlander series and am interested in trying them out.
I don't read all Christian fiction, btw. :-) There's lots of great books out there that are far from Christian, but they still have great themes and morals to learn from.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Gail Godwin
AM Homes
Ron Rash
Tommy Hayes
there are more - more always more!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Kathryn.
I agree! The world of great authors is so huge that I regret not having time to read them all!