23 Comments
I have winners for the Tessa Dare/Evie Byrne contest! They are: RF Long, Aileen Fish, and Wanderer. Congrats!
It was really fascinating reading everyone’s responses. Sometimes I was nodding my head thinking, “Yes, yes, yes!”, and sometimes I was thinking, “Well, I took a little time to warm up to that author, but I’m a big fan now!”
Some other authors mentioned who had me at “hello”:
Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julia Quinn
Some of the mentioned authors I adore now, but might have taken me a few pages to warm up to:
Laura Kinsale, Julie Garwood, Nicole Jordan, Joanna Bourne, Stephanie Laurens, Shelly Laurenston
But see, my evil plan in this post was to get some suggestions for new-to-me authors. And now (insert evil cackle) I have several to add to my TBR pile. So thanks to everyone for your responses!
Looking above at my list, I’m seeing a pattern, at least in my own response to authors. All of the “had me at hello” authors have very strong, witty voices. The others on my “favorites” list have characters and plots I found ultimately compelling and memorable.
Would you say your keeper shelf consists of books with stronger characterization, stronger plots, or stronger author voice? (I know they’re probably mostly “all of the above,” but which element do you find to be most important?)
One commenter will win an early signed copy of A HINT OF WICKED! I’ll post the winner on Monday.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm · Link
I would definitely say stronger characterization. I love lots of emotional conflice and plenty of angst.
Now I’d love to win a copy of A Hint of Wicked!
May 15th, 2009 at 1:03 pm · Link
If the author is Susan Elizabeth Phillips, that’s a guaranteed keeper.
Why? Characterization. She takes her characters to places and depths in romantic fiction that, IMHO, no one else achieves.
Otherwise, I keep books because the author has done something so amazing that I want to study them. I force myself not to have more books than is contained by appropriate shelf space. Of course, that shelf over the stove is an appropriate space. And that shelf above the Nyquil in the meds cabinet, and that shelf . . . .
May 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm · Link
It’s hard for me to define which is most important: voice or characterization. Plot tends to be lowest on my list, but only because I will put up with a lot of plot problems in a book that has great voice and great characters. A book that has poor voice and/or characters I can’t relate to/like (or that has too much backstory in the beginning!) will tend to be an DNF for me; life’s too short for me to bother reading a book that doesn’t engage me.
But I have read books that engaged me recently because, even though I had “issues” with the plot and, in some cases, one or both main characters, the voice just grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I’m not sure those books are on my “keeper” shelf–I think to get there, a book has to be strong in all three areas–but some of the books I’ve thought about the most are the ones that had elements that made me want to scream and throw the book across the room, even as I kept turning the pages.
How’s that for an equivocal answer, lol?
May 15th, 2009 at 1:12 pm · Link
I think it must be author voice to me. What else would explain that when I love an author I buy – and keep – everything I could possibly find from them.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:14 pm · Link
Sign me up for the HINT OF WICKED contest!
My answer is voice, voice, and voice. From there, I’d say I either need to feel the love (not just the heat) between the H and H for a romance. For mainstream I want a compelling plot that keeps me turning pages.
In short, I want it all. Voice, characterization, and story all come together to make a keeper. I’ll finish books without all three elements, but I don’t reread them.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:15 pm · Link
I’m with Jackie….Voice and Characterization are pretty closely tied for me too. As a reader I love a distinctive voice (and I read a LOT Of first person)….but as a writer I can’t overlook the importance of well-done characterization (and fully fleshed out characters). Hmmmm
May 15th, 2009 at 1:40 pm · Link
Characterization. Love them or hate them, I have to feel something for the characters other than indifference. Plot and voice are important, but characters are what makes it for me.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:12 pm · Link
I would say characterization. I can’t enjoy a book unless the characters are well developed and you actually care what happens to the hero and heroine.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:27 pm · Link
Having issues with blog – resubmitting my comment…
For me, I like witty dialogue, a clever plot and just a really good romantic story. I also look for creative elements that make a story unique from all the other re-hashings of the “same old thing”. I loved the use of Lady Whistledown’s column in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, and Charlotte and Michael’s letters in Sabrina Jeffries’ Heiresses series. These elements make the stories very memorable. One of my favorite scenes that I love to re-read is from “Secrets of a Proper Lady” by Victoria Alexander where the hero shares what he likes, beginning with simple things like a good cigar, or a sunny day. But as the list goes on, it gets more personal, down to the embrace he shared with the heroine. She reciprocates a list in the same fashion. Its just such a sweet, romantic scene that hearts and starts just jump off the page and make you sigh with a smile. Another scene that is at the top of my list is the last chapter and epilogue of “How to Marry A Marquis” by Julia Quinn. The whole book is great but it just ends on such a super-romantic note. In Lorraine Heath’s “Just Wicked Enough” the hero spent a good part of the story trying to figure out his wife’s favorite color. The lengths he went to almost broke your heart, but at the same time, some of the colors he chose (and the timing of his guess) just made you (and the heroine) twitch a smile.
These are the things I look for in a “keeper”.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pm · Link
I would say characterization I need to feel very close the Hero and Heroine and then the authors voice that what keeps me coming back to great authors
Have Fun
Helen
May 15th, 2009 at 3:47 pm · Link
Voice will make or break a story for me. Without a strong, unique voice, one story starts to sound just like any other story.
May 15th, 2009 at 4:38 pm · Link
Characterization and/or voice for me. I find many of my keepers tend to be not fast-paced but very character driven and emotional. Other times it’s just a fun, witty story.
May 15th, 2009 at 6:56 pm · Link
I cannot wait to read your book, Jen! For me, the most important element is the characters. What goes on between the hero and heroine is what keeps me turning the pages. But it’s the author’s voice that breathes life into the characters so really my favorite books are ones where I loved the characters because of the way they were written. I think great characters = great voice.
May 16th, 2009 at 6:36 am · Link
It is hard to decide the most important factor, but for me I believe it has to be author voice. If that doesn’t get me, the rest of the book probably won’t either.
I have AHOW on my BTB list, but I would love to win a copy today! Count me in!
May 16th, 2009 at 1:28 pm · Link
For me, it’s the couple so I say characterization. Both can be as dumb as rocks or high maintenance, but as long as I believe they belong together, it’s a good romance.
May 16th, 2009 at 4:57 pm · Link
Strong characterization is the most important thing to me. I love when an author develops a character so well that I can believe I am reading about a real person. I like when authors give their characters quirks and also when they can show the charm and wit of the characters.
May 16th, 2009 at 10:32 pm · Link
I have to say stronger characterization. I keep and reread the books that draw strong emotions from me from laughter to tears. Characters are what makes books memorable for me.
May 17th, 2009 at 4:28 pm · Link
That’s a tough decision. But I have to say characterization. Characters are the heart of the book. It’s the complex, memorable characters that stay with me long after I finish a story.
May 17th, 2009 at 6:40 pm · Link
I think for me its the stronger author voice. The author is the one who can make the book come alive. The right words and phrases the right way.
May 17th, 2009 at 6:50 pm · Link
This one is really tough for me. I’ve never really thought about it.
I don’t think it’s mainly author’s voice. If it was wouldn’t I be more willing to follow an author to a new genre? I love Julie Garwood but have zero desire to read her contemps. For that matter I didn’t keep the western Roses books even though they are historicals.
I’m not so sure it’s characterization either. For many of my favorite books, I can’t remember both of the main characters names. Shouldn’t I if the characters themselved are what made the big impression?
For me I think its some indefinable way everything comes together. I’m the same way with music. I love individual songs, not groups or styles.
May 18th, 2009 at 5:12 pm · Link
Pam P is the random winner (post #12)! Congrats Pam!
It was really fascinating reading all your responses! Like Lynda said, for me it’s usually an indefinable way all the elements come together! But I was truly surprised at how many people chose voice, and how few people seemed to focus on plot! That is *so* interesting!
What a great discussion–I definitely learned something here! Thank you all for your responses!
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 am · Link
I think for me it’s a combination of characterization and plot – though, depending on author, some keepers have stronger characterization and others have stronger plot.
May 24th, 2009 at 9:20 am · Link
Hi Jennifer
i will go with I say characterization.
I love this new book of yours just 2 more days to go and it will be out! I’m looking forward to it.
Have a great weekend
Penney 😛