Into the Fire

I've read a lot of books over many years, the majority of them novels. And I've read a lot of authors, male and female. I've read general market (secular) and Christian Fiction. I've read very few fantasies and science-fiction and possibly even fewer historical novels. I've read lightly in the Women's Fiction/Family Drama genre and have spent time in Cozy Mystery Series by two Christian authors. Primarily I've read thrillers, mysteries, suspense, and romance/love stories. 

What I want from my authors of these stories is, of course, to be entertained. That's a given. Reading usually takes several hours unless you enjoy novellas – which I mostly don't. To surrender hours to words on a page – whether reading or writing them – means I want them to be meaningful, satisfying, even important in their own ways. I want the authors to make me cry or laugh or both – in other words: to react strongly. If I can't get emotional at some point in a story, then the author hasn't managed to snag/hook/entangle me in the story. I don't care at what point this occurs, but it had better happen "at some point". 

I want to care, preferably deeply, about the story – what's going on – the characters – at least the hero or heroine – because if I don't, the book becomes a throwaway. A loss. A waste of my time which is the greatest disappointment. 

The best novels I've read have lingered long after "The End". I remember key scenes that reached through those words and touched my soul. I smile at the memory. Not all stories can accomplish that special experience. But there are still those novels which leave a mark, that achieve the goal of being entertaining and appreciated even if their effect is short-lived. 

I want my authors to make sure the story is well-told and well-written. That doesn't mean it has to smack of "literary" language and imagery, but it does mean there are thoughtful words used to tell me about the people, places, and circumstances in this tale. Even if the timeline is unique and the structure varied, things must come together to form a cohesive story. 

I can break down my favorite authors to specific genres, to sub-sections of genres, but it's unfair to have an absolute favorite when so many characteristics and demands are required for each type of novel. 

So. What do you want from your authors? 

Father, thank you for authors. You've gifted writers since the beginning of time. May they know from whom their talents come. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.