What do you like?

[tiffany57]

Every now and then a writer has a problem.  So that's why I would like you all to write what you look for in a writing, what you like, what you don't like, ect.  Sound good?  Here, I'll do mine below.

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I like it when I read a book and the same word is not used over and over again.  Ex- The word is look.  Instead of saying- I look at her and she looks at me. I'd say something like- My eyes stare at her, trying to be unnoticed.  Or- I glare at the evil twin of mine and she stairs back.  Stuff like that, It makes the writing interesting.  I also love details.  Ex- Instead of- The girl climbed the tree.  I like- The adventurous girl quickly climbed the oak tree.

I do not like when there are too many details.  One time I was reading a book and the author gave so many details that I forgot what I was reading.  I won't say the book because I don't want to make anyone feel bad or anything.  P.S.. It is none of your writing, and the book is not in my library. 

I look for potential in a book, adventure, mystery, and when you least expect something, it happens. 

[TiggerBear]

Agreed repetitive word use can get boring, use more adjectives whenever possible.

Now personally I like description; texture, sound, smells, the feel of the wind, ect.. Yes it can get excessive but unless you take 4 pages to describe 30 secs I tend not to mind. The lusher the better.

Watch you pacing. Keep your flow even. Match pace speed to character movement (emotional and physical). Nothing on this earth worse than a sloggy paced story.

If you are using a mythological or cultural construct in your world building, you REALLY have to know the underlying mythology. Know what earlier writers did before you, even if yours is like nothing else ever done.

The better I know the characters you are using the better I'll like the story. Cardboard cutout people suck. Flesh out those people you use.

Now names. Complex names are fine IF and only IF you the author point out it's pronunciation. Otherwise I start tuning you out. When I read it's like someone is reading it out loud to me and if my inner storyteller is stumbling, it's automatically less enjoyable. Even if you don't want to incorporate it within the story provide a pronunciation key in the front or back. Glossaries are nice too.

Hmm those are the basics off the top of my head.

[tiffany57]

Ah...

Cool.

[Kat-NE]

I pretty much agree with TiggerBear about the story having to have a flow, the characters being realistic and relatable, and the big names.

I also like a surprise ending.  If I know what's going to happen, it takes the fun out of reading it.

I like a little complexity to a story, but if the storylines are so tangled, I lose track of what is going on with who.

And I am really about the humor.  I've read books in which the characters don't have much of a personality, but I prefer a funny character (as long as it's not overdone) over a too serious one.

[kate12345]

I like original ideas. With things such asTwilight being a big thing it seems like everyones so interested in making up a story that revolves around vampires or something close to that. Writing is suppose to be creative and theres nothing more interesting than a story that you haven't already read the ending to. 

[Flowering]

I like books with strong characters. I like action in the right moments, but not in excess. I like drama, hehe, and I like morals.