I’ve always thought of reading as the other side of writing-sort of the Ying and Yang of the literary universe. I haven’t read a good author who hasn’t also been an avid reader. Of course, there’s always a first time, so let me know if you have met one of these scribes.
When my writing well is dry, I grab a book that someone else has toiled over and enjoy their labors. I’m looking for some ideas to refill my well, and in the meantime, I’m happy to be lost in a story. I don’t care what kind of story it is as long as it’s good.
So what do I need to make a good story?
A great hero who
-has inward and outward goals that I can easily identify.
-I care about, empathize with, and understand.
-is a bit larger-than-life, but I can still relate to because of a few flaws.
A vivid bad guy (or force) who
-is interesting and powerful enough to give the hero a run for the money.
-has clearly defined inward and outward goals that go right up against those of the good guy.
-is not 100% evil, so I have some sympathy for the character.
-gets it in the end. (Yes, I’m a sucker for the HEA ending)
A Setting that
-fits the story
-is vivid so that I can see, hear, and feel it around me as I read
Something exciting or poignant happens
-at or near the beginning of the story. (I love the end of Chapter 1 to make me turn the page)
Conflict. Conflict. Conflict that
-creates and builds drama, and nothing is ever “just hunky-dory.”
-is internal and wrenches the poor good guy’s heart or messes up his head terribly, or…
-is external and affects the good guy in his world (Nothing keeps me reading late into the night like “the monster’s-coming-any-minute kind of tale)
An End that
-wraps up the conflict and ties off any threads that have been woven into the story.
I’m in the middle of four books at this writing: Pont Neuf, The War of the Roses, The Falcon at the Portal, and Eating The Dinosaur (non-fiction). Obviously, I’m in need of some idea replenishing. What are you reading and do you also read to fill up that writing well?
Quote of the Week: “Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.”
― Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Alexa says
I really like this list! It’s a good, comprehensive way to keep track of the important points for reading-and writing!
I’m not reading anything right this second, but I just got The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill on NetGalley, so I’m excited to see how that one goes!
Alexa
Is the “War of the Roses” history or fiction? I have been on a serious reading kick lately (just reviewed my last 3 books). I’m now reading a collection of stories by Brian Doyle and a massive work on the Plato/Aristole influence on the Western world.
It’s historical fiction, and at the end, the author has some excellent notes to indicate a few inconsistency in the facts-some are in timing, one is a scene attributed to a character that actually happened, but not to that character. I was put off by the long battle scenes, but overall it was well-written and showed how futile the entire “feud” really was. In the end, I was pleased with the dramatization of the history, and I think I’ll remember what happened and why even better than I did from the study in the history books.
I like to read fiction to replenish my well. I’m reading a contemporary fantasy/mystery, A Cast-Off Coven. Then I’m reading Onyeka and the Acadamy of the Sun, a MG contemporary fantasy about a British Nigerian girl. I can’t wait to read it.
That’s an interesting combo-fantasy/mystery. It sounds like an great read.
Hi Lee - I’d go for HFA … unless it’s a series when it can ultimately lead to HFA - after a sad outcome (eg death) … but one has to be drawn in, with all my senses tempted by the surroundings … I really don’t like unpleasantness!
I read so much - I’d love to be a book reader, could do it too, - yet it’s an eclectic mix of other aspects of writing and reading I need for the grey cells to keep working and stimulating me.
I loved reading Shattered … so congratulations on being in the finalist list … all the best - cheers Hilary
We have enough unpleasantness in real life, don’t we? I like to escape into a book and let my blood pressure drop at bit. I’m so glad you enjoyed Shattered.
A nice little post on what makes a good story, Lee. I hope you fill your well, too. If I didn’t read so much, I’d write more. Currently nearly finished reading my latest thriller (I’m so into thrillers atm). A real page turner - The Girl who was Taken by Charlie Donlea.
I love a good thriller. I’ve always wanted to write one, but I know that’s not in the cards.
Yes, reading does help the writer. I like to see when it’s done well. I learn so much when it isn’t. And I too prefer the HEA (or at least an HFN).
Right. Nothing’s forever, but isn’t that estatic moment a joy? We all know it’s always HFN in real life, but we can pretend for a bit at the end of a fiction piece.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
Earlier, I had this comment written and ready to submit, but I made the mistake of composing it in the middle of an intense thunderstorm. A lightning bolt knocked-out our power and I lost everything I had written. The power has been restored, but the storm is still bearing down on us at this hour. I will try again to send something through for you.
I am one of your atypical friends, perhaps the only one. I am not a published author. I was once published in a magazine, but it was not a work of fiction. It was an interview I conducted with the #1 rated morning radio personality in our market. As for reading, I am also atypical because, apart from the great works I read in high school English literature classes, I only read nonfiction.
I appreciate your outline of essential elements for a novel to hold your interest. I would think that the denouement is the most important of these, because it needs to be satisfying. If not, you might think twice about choosing another work by that author.
Thanks for visiting Shady’s Place today. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
I love good non-fiction, so I understand your wanting to read it. My husband read only non-fiction until I started writing, and then he was kind enough to read what I wrote. It was comforting having one fan! 🙂
I love a diverse audience, so thanks for contributing to that. I appreciate your visits.
p.s. hope that storm is a distant memory by now.
I’m a huge reader as well.
My latest read was Broken by Jenny Lawson. It was a powerful read about physical and mental health that had me snort-laughing at times and wiping my eyes at others.
Getting someone to laugh and cry in the same book takes talent. I’ll have to read Jenny’s book.
A beautiful theme! A good set of characters and the right setting can definitely create a good story 🙂
You know all about that! I’ve read your writing and it’s excellent.
You know that I read. Each and every day. With gratitude, with awe, with wonder.
I write occasionally, but reading is a MUST.
We have a friend who considers himself a writer. He is not a reader - says that readers who are also writers plagiarise. Pffft to him. And no, I don’t think of him as a writer. He is a non starter in both races where I am concerned.
I have a friend like that, and I hate to tell him anything about his writing. Unfortunately, he keeps asking for advice, and only advice I have is, “Read.”