Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

recent posts

about

Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

The second time around . . .

 

 Magic-Book

 

What will make you pick up another novel by the same author? Maybe it's their first or maybe it's their 10th, but even if you start in the middle of their creations, what's in it that makes you select another of their books?

There are so many novels I want to read. I can't read them all if I want to continue to write my own. Believe me, at times I'm tempted to quit on mine and indulge myself solely in the work of others. Tempted but not convinced I'd be totally satisfied.

With the huge selection of available and new release novels, what makes you continue to read a particular author? Or try a new one?

Trying a new author can be a result of another's recommendation  or a simple investigation. I enjoy promoting books I love because maybe I can help someone find an author they can love. Reading experiences are individual especially to those of us who choose our novels carefully, but oftentimes we connect with others who share our tastes.

Here are the two main features which cause me to return to a sampled author:

1. Characters: they have to intrigue me one way or another; I have to care about them.

2. The way the words are written. This can be voice, but it can also be the lovely prose or the unique style.

What does it for you?

 

Father, please place a blessing on those who write for you. For those who labor over words to satisfy the need to fulfill the calling you've given them. Let us feel your heartbeat for the story. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Posted in

5 responses to “The second time around . . .”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I don’t presently have dedication to any particular authors. The closest I can come would be James Scott Bell, because unlike all the other books I read, he has a passion for place, and it always shows in his writing. I like that.
    I would read more books by Nancy E. Turner, but she hasn’t released any recently that I know of.
    But since I only have time to read 12-15 novels a year, they usually end up as a splattering of selections all over the map–not conducive to having a favorite.
    But to give a general answer, I will go back and pick up the next book of an author who’s first book was so good I didn’t want to put it down. If it transforms itself from “sigh…I bought this book now I’m going to read it if it kills me,” to “Woohoo! I wonder what else he wrote?” then it’s a winner.
    That usually means having strong, memorable characters and a plot that reaches beyond the selfish goals of the main players with a message that extends to the greater region/state/country/world. I like to read about characters who are trying to make a difference. Not just work through their “personal issue of the moment.”

    Like

    Reply
  2. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    Nicole – those are probably my top two reasons for returning to an author. I’d add story as the third leg, but prose might be my top consideration.
    Right now I’m reading Charles Martin’s latest, Thunder and Rain. Oh my, the man can turn a phrase! His characters can be so-so; often the tone of his male protagonist ends up sounding just like the protag in his previous novel even though they may be very different on the surface. His stories are always good, some better than others. What keeps me coming back is his prose.
    A writer might tell a great story, and (s)he may have multi-faceted characters, but if their prose sounds juvenile I likely won’t try another book by them.
    Of course, the best books are those that are the complete package: prose, character, and story.
    (Katie Ganshert had a similar blog post a few days ago: http://katieganshert.com/writing/story-character-prose-setting/)

    Like

    Reply
  3. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Thanks for sharing what draws you to your next novel by the same author. Prose, characters, and a story that reaches beyond the singular resolution of an individual character . . . so interesting, Brendas.
    James Scott Bell’s Try Dying trilogy was masterful, my favorite of his novels, although I really liked one of his very old ones the title of which escapes me at the moment.
    I’m just going to have to get into a Charles Martin novel. I don’t know why I haven’t gotten to him yet.

    Like

    Reply
  4. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    Forgot about Charles Martin. Have read a couple of his and enjoyed them, though I did experience the “sameness” of the protags Brenda mentioned above.
    Actually, for me, Martin has the distinction of being the one author I can think of in recent times who wrote such a compelling secondary character I can still bring him to mind. Don’t ask me which book it was (The Dead Don’t Dance?), but that kilt wearing, movie watching odd-ball was one of the most distinct characterizations I’ve read. I have often wondered if Bryce would ever get a novel of his own (or maybe he has and I don’t know about it).

    Like

    Reply
  5. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    High praise coming from you, Brenda.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment