tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post2920816216782859805..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: What Makes A Story Great?Elana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-48310394499178509432011-04-21T22:31:38.629-06:002011-04-21T22:31:38.629-06:00If I'm so immersed in a novel I can't put ...If I'm so immersed in a novel I can't put it down, this is a sign of greatness. If I truly *care* about the characters and everyone is well-fleshed-out, this is another sign. A third sign is writing something that sticks with the reader long after he/she has turned the last page...Bonnie @ A Backwards Storyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02988547424004889874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-88479301549029025932011-04-21T18:32:48.116-06:002011-04-21T18:32:48.116-06:00I think one thing that makes a book great is a sto...I think one thing that makes a book great is a story that I find myself immersed in. You know, to the point where you must read on to find out what happens, but then really don't want it to end either...:)Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-30613652751159351862011-04-21T11:30:23.256-06:002011-04-21T11:30:23.256-06:00I'm a sucker for a good love entanglement! :)...I'm a sucker for a good love entanglement! :) But, some of my favorite stories also have a magical/fantastical element. They take me somewhere I can't always go myself - and of course, the writing is wonderful, lyrical, descriptive, emotive, just perfect.<br /><br />I usually only fall a little out of love if the ending doesn't satisfy completely.Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-48649177551440903012011-04-20T21:45:22.183-06:002011-04-20T21:45:22.183-06:00Oh, I can TOTALLY fall out of love once I've f...Oh, I can TOTALLY fall out of love once I've fallen IN. To.Tal.Ly. <br /><br />But I have no idea what makes me FALL. It's a lot of little things and it can be DIFFERENT things in different stories, ya know? Just like with guys. With one guy it might be the sparkle in his eye, combined with the way he wears his clothes, mixed with the way he rests his thumb on my wrist. But with another guy, it might be the way his hair falls into my eyes, the way my name sounds when he says it, the way his smile crooks to one side.<br /><br />Every new love is different!ali crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13023009704454279645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-4001038489973795762011-04-20T17:31:11.495-06:002011-04-20T17:31:11.495-06:00I think the sign of a great book is when the book ...I think the sign of a great book is when the book stays with you. Maybe you're in the middle of it, anxious to finish reading, or you just read the last page. <br /><br />To me, it's that feeling where I've finished it and I'm thoroughly depressed, not because the book was bad but because it was over. I don't need more book, I just need to exist in that world for just a little bit longer.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08229009550203388722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-10756082642114056072011-04-20T16:20:53.004-06:002011-04-20T16:20:53.004-06:00I've thought about this one alot. A publisher ...I've thought about this one alot. A publisher friend told me this and I think it sums it up pretty well.<br /> <br />'Beautiful writing is when every word is the right word, in its right place and there for a reason. There is nothing extraneous. The words flow so smoothly that the reader is transported beyond the words. They even forget they are reading.'<br /><br />I love and reread books about worlds I want to spend time in, characters I want to spend time with, and experiences that I want to repeat.<br /><br />Then there's what I call guts in a story and meaning - not so easy to define. <br /><br />I have a whole category on this topic on my blog http://tahlianewland.com/category/what-makes-a-good-novel-great/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-41653002452413712722011-04-20T16:10:45.732-06:002011-04-20T16:10:45.732-06:00That's a really hard question. I think it'...That's a really hard question. I think it's a mix of voice and character. In plot-driven novels I think it's the unexpected twists or when something surprises me (either the book's premise or a mystery, etc). Actually, a book with all three of those is usually pretty great.Tracey Neithercotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539278941411542797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-21399375274543116902011-04-20T14:56:14.052-06:002011-04-20T14:56:14.052-06:00Of course everyone's definition of a great boo...Of course everyone's definition of a great book differs, but To Kill A Mockingbird, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter show up near the top on an awful lot of goodreads lists, and I have to agree. I think what makes a book great is 1) characters you love 2) something that hasn't been done before 3) great writing.Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-47381770784966307612011-04-20T14:26:19.367-06:002011-04-20T14:26:19.367-06:00I fall in love with a book when I can really conne...I fall in love with a book when I can really connect with the characters and can feel myself in the story.<br /><br />Once I have the <i>OMG, I love this book</i> moment, I usually don't fall out of love with it, unless the character(s) do something that I can't believe they would do, or if the ending is totally disappointing.Jessica Ann Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14131293013101275074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-64915983171476669792011-04-20T14:03:44.018-06:002011-04-20T14:03:44.018-06:00It all comes down to voice and style for me. And i...It all comes down to voice and style for me. And if those aren't strong enough (or aren't overtaken by a great, great premise), then I often lose interest. <br /><br />Wishing you the best, Elana!Janna Leadbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339705935553160673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-92088571268977742462011-04-20T13:43:59.202-06:002011-04-20T13:43:59.202-06:00Hmmm, I'm just going to answer the last questi...Hmmm, I'm just going to answer the last question with a resounding YES. You can fall out of love with a book. I can remember one in particular that had me absolutely giddy with enjoyment, and a few chapters later I threw it across the room. For reals. Anyway. :)Melodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08846251713093236356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-31395653500230165432011-04-20T13:29:03.520-06:002011-04-20T13:29:03.520-06:00I think a great character is important for a good ...I think a great character is important for a good story. I like connecting with a character and crying when something bad happens to them and laughing at the funny parts. <br />Also I think the writing is important. When I take picture book writing classes we learn to make every word count. I think this can be true of novels as well. <br />But there are books that I cry at the end of simply because I am sad to leave the character or the world the author has created.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18226974782422398270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-6798106350608644992011-04-20T12:52:03.133-06:002011-04-20T12:52:03.133-06:00For me, I'm captivated by the voice...so long ...For me, I'm captivated by the voice...so long as something eventually happens. So in order of importance: Voice, Character, Plot. (To me, that is.) I also like stories that dig deep and reveal something to me, i.e. I love Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak, Wintergirls, Fever, Catalyst, Twisted...) She has all the elements. I want to be her when I grow up, lol. <br /><br />Can't wait to read Possession. I've been hearing tons of awesome buzz on it around the web. Congrats on publishdom!!!Nicole L Riverahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01407282219503162959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-74044094151319684112011-04-20T12:13:26.856-06:002011-04-20T12:13:26.856-06:00I love a book when I find myself thinking about th...I love a book when I find myself thinking about the book when I should be doing other things.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16232979489927013323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-41540118135994918232011-04-20T11:36:34.697-06:002011-04-20T11:36:34.697-06:00I know I love a book when I can't wait to read...I know I love a book when I can't wait to read more about the characters and their world as soon as I finish it--whether that means a sequel, or just re-reading parts or all of the book.<br /><br /><br /><br />www.writingsnippets.comJocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09913050111209616416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-34517802987267471232011-04-20T11:09:02.352-06:002011-04-20T11:09:02.352-06:00I was thinking about that on my walk to work this ...I was thinking about that on my walk to work this morning, listening to "Girl with the dragon tattoo" on my MP3 player. There are so many different books that break all the rules that we're taught, and they're still fantastic. I don't know if there's a "formula", but it seems to be something that can connect with you, and that's highly subjective right there.Kathryn Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05270893925385208665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-15356660019425707422011-04-20T11:08:28.683-06:002011-04-20T11:08:28.683-06:00Usually the characters. If I feel like I've kn...Usually the characters. If I feel like I've known the characters my whole life and I care about them and want them to be happy and succeed, that's when I love the book.Nicole Zoltackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07464800543376449290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-55741323270488542902011-04-20T10:38:21.161-06:002011-04-20T10:38:21.161-06:00I think the love affair begins when we see ourselv...I think the love affair begins when we see ourselves in the story. Pride & Prejudice? Why do we love it all these years later? Because we've had our hearts broken. Because we think we understand what the characters feel. Because we care. At least that's what I feel. Great question, Elana.Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-30562128228815994272011-04-20T10:28:24.379-06:002011-04-20T10:28:24.379-06:00It's hard to put a finger on, but it's a m...It's hard to put a finger on, but it's a magical combination of an exciting plot that sucks you in, that feels new and different yet somehow a little familiar, characters that I truly love and feel real, and a great love triangle. ;)Sara B. Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213313028658810705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84539446138933087022011-04-20T10:11:53.668-06:002011-04-20T10:11:53.668-06:00I fall in love with a book when I realize I want t...I fall in love with a book when I realize I want to spend time with these characters. I get drawn into their lives. I start caring about their issues. I ponder their problems. And I hate to say goodbye to them.Elizabeth Varadan, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01708206753256682635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-47354339986838382032011-04-20T09:45:35.372-06:002011-04-20T09:45:35.372-06:00I get carsick easy...but when a book is good enoug...I get carsick easy...but when a book is good enough to sneak into the passenger seat, even if we aren't going very far, then it's a keeper. Usually it has to do with romance for me. I love a little romantic tension.<br /><br />By the way, my cousin's went to the beach and said they found bacon flavored suckers. Next time I'm over there, I'm finding one for you and mailing it. End of story.Michelle Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040685503147648297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-32367671897489809852011-04-20T09:21:39.425-06:002011-04-20T09:21:39.425-06:00I love really distinct characters with a sense of ...I love really distinct characters with a sense of humor. And a GREAT love story. One of my favorite characters is Sophie from the Hex Hall series. LOVE her! She is hilarious, down to earth and just real! :)Chantele Sedgwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07920913211842919013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-47415837394133353922011-04-20T09:03:45.074-06:002011-04-20T09:03:45.074-06:00That's a great question, with no hard and fast...That's a great question, with no hard and fast answer. I fell in love with Rosslyn Elliot's book slowly, as the language and beauty of the writing lulled me. With Savannah Grey (my current wow book) I was hooked by the end of the first page! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-41131071958621623592011-04-20T08:55:54.466-06:002011-04-20T08:55:54.466-06:00For me it's the characters. I gotta love them....For me it's the characters. I gotta love them. Want more and more of them. I need to feel their emotions!! I love watching them suffer, grow, morph into better people! That's what makes me love a book!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-49276007327083083152011-04-20T08:48:05.014-06:002011-04-20T08:48:05.014-06:00For me, I can tell a story is great when I carry t...For me, I can tell a story is great when I carry that book around with me everywhere I go and I can't put it down.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.com