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Lynda Aicher | What Do Readers Want?
August 12, 2015
As an author, I believe this is one of those elusive questions that everyone in the
publishing industry would love to know the answer to. In reality, defining one answer
that’d guarantee millions of readers and dollars has proven to be ever-changing and too
fickle to predict.
But as a reader, I can answer that question easily: I want a good story. When I sit down
with a new book, that’s all I hope for. A story that lets me escape and dream. One that
draws me to the characters and has me rooting for them and their inevitable happy
ending.
That’s simple enough, right? (Author me is laughing hysterically right now.)
So what exactly defines a good story? Author me has to pick that apart into bits and
pieces
that often end up in pages of deleted text and hours of lost time. There are so many
elements that go into creating a good story. Ones that can be somewhat easy to list and
subsequently hard to execute.
To add to the complexity of the execution is the variable of personal opinion. We’ve all
encountered that book or movie or show that your best friend raves about and you can
hardly
finish. It’s true in any creative art form from paintings to poetry. Every opinion is
different, based on one’s own personal experiences and preferences.
There’s also the delineation between critic and public opinion. There have been numerous
critically acclaimed movies and books that have left me wondering what I’d missed. On
the
flip side, there are just as many critically bashed stories that I’ve loved.
This brings up the distinction between craft and storytelling. A story can meet every
technical note, have perfect grammar and be a complete sales flop. And then the one that
is
technically poorly executed can sell millions, based on the strength and compelling
nature
of the story itself.
In truth, there is no one answer to what readers want. Everyone picks up a book for a
different reason and goes into the story from a different place and heart. For example,
I
can’t stand suspense in any form, be it in movies or books. I only read romance, and my
definition of a good romance is different from my friends’.
All I can do as both a reader and writer is start each book with the hope and belief
that
it will be enjoyable. That this story will take me away and leave me happy. As a writer,
I
work hard to ensure the books I write achieve that. But I know, no matter how hard I
try,
my stories will not work for everyone. And that’s okay. The great thing about books is
there really is something out there for everyone to enjoy.
GIVEAWAY
So what do you want as a reader? For a chance to win a digital copy of each book in
the
Power Play
trilogy, let me know in the comments what you want when you read a book.
Lynda Aicher is a 2015 RWA® RITA® Award Finalist and author of the bestselling
Wicked Play series. Prior to writing, she spent years traveling weekly as a
consultant implementing software into global companies, but she opted to end her nomadic
lifestyle to raise her two children. Now her imagination is her only limitation on where
she can go, and her writing lets her escape from the daily duties of being a mom, wife,
chauffeur, scheduler, cook, teacher, cleaner and mediator. If writing wasn’t a priority,
it
wouldn’t get done.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Minnesota Glaciers’ starting defenseman Henrik Grenick is good at two things: hockey
and
sex. He’s got it all—the career, the biceps, the babes. But the steady parade of women
through his bedroom just leaves him wanting more, hunting for the next distraction.
Until
he meets Jacqui, who awakens a hunger he never knew he craved.
Fiercely independent Jacqui Polson has no time for the seductive hockey player demanding
her attention. More band geek than bimbo, she’s in an entirely different league, and
growing up with four hockey-crazed brothers left her with no interest in that world. But
damn, Henrik’s hot. And when it comes to sex, Jacqui knows exactly what she wants.
As their relationship moves beyond games, Henrik needs more—not just of Jacqui’s touch,
but
of her. Jacqui discovers there’s more to Henrik than just the gruff facade. But after a
lifetime of fighting their own battles, neither has ever let anyone get so close. As
they
soon find out, needing someone isn’t a weakness, it’s the only thing that matters…
Comments
32 comments posted.
Re: Lynda Aicher | What Do Readers Want?
Good plot and characters
(Marissa Yip-Young 6:01am August 12, 2015)
Characters & story that I care about/find interesting.
Thanks.
(Jana B 12:33pm August 12, 2015)
I want a story that has characters that touch my emotions... ones that have a journey to happiness that really pulls me in.
(Colleen Conklin 1:08pm August 12, 2015)
Great characters and plot. Books that make feel the emotions
of the characters.
(Diane Lynch 7:14pm August 12, 2015)
an escape from the routine
(Debbi Shaw 10:23pm August 12, 2015)
Books that draw me in. I want to feel like if I looked around, I would see the setting and the people, that it would feel more real than reality.
(Cynthia Powers 1:42am August 13, 2015)
I want to read about great, strong characters, a plot where
there are no questions remaining after the story ends, and
a happily ever after.
(April Summers 11:28am August 13, 2015)
A story that grabs me from the first page and doesn't let me go til the last - with a cast of likeable characters - and perhaps the chance to learn a bit of history, too. I like to escape into the books!
(Nancy Reynolds 11:42am August 13, 2015)
A happy ending, great characters and an exciting plot. Sexy times are an added bonus. :)
(Stina Lindenblatt 7:02pm August 13, 2015)
when i fell love with the chactor so fast
(Emily Stemp 7:33pm August 13, 2015)
I want to connect to the characters' emotions and get caught up in their journey to their HEA.
(Marcy Shuler 8:44pm August 13, 2015)
I want a story with great characters and a great plot that immediately draws
me in. I want to become engaged with the characters. I need to feel their
pain, happiness, lust, love, etc.
(Mary Marquez 8:51pm August 13, 2015)
I want to be surprised a little. I don't want predictable characters. I want strong women who still aren't afraid of emotions and men who can really commit.
(Linda Levine 9:02pm August 13, 2015)
Intelligence in the characters, strong plot and women who
are not afraid to ask for a partner who is true and wants
an equal in return.
(Cindy Hipolito 1:48am August 14, 2015)
what i want to read is a plot that i can believe in and characters that have a little mystery in the beginning and a lot in the middle and by the end of story i want to say to myself "i knew that was gonna happen"
(Regina Elliott 4:44am August 14, 2015)
What I like in a book is that it isn't to dark,has good character development,has enough action to keep my interest until the end. thanks for the contest and Happy summer
(Gloria Vigil 5:35am August 14, 2015)
What do I look for as a reader? As has been mentioned by others here, intelligent characters, strong plots - and that occasional surprise to keep me on my toes!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 7:14am August 14, 2015)
Great characters and a great plot
(Jean Patton 10:40am August 14, 2015)
I want a believable story and great connection and chemistry
between the characters.
(Maria Smith 10:56am August 14, 2015)
I like a story that is easy to read in which I can attach to the characters
storyline. I think being able to relate, or atleast understand the characters
point of view, is important for me to connect with a book.
(Lily Shah 11:22am August 14, 2015)
I want great believable characters. I want to sympathize with the characters and/or relate to him/her in some way.
(Kerry Shaw 11:42am August 14, 2015)
i like a real book not e-book
(Emily Stemp 1:55pm August 14, 2015)
I enjoy a well written story.
(Mary Hay 6:41pm August 14, 2015)
Character relatability, mystery, knowledge (a book that will teach me as well i.e. how magic and science works in a particular world). Maybe no romance, but if there is, then it's a small plus.
(Lisa L. 12:58pm August 15, 2015)
A believable plot that pulls me in and keeps me there for the
whole story. I love twists and turns and the unexpected.
(Denise Austin 2:58pm August 15, 2015)
Characters I'd like to hang out with, and a compelling
story. I like to see how someone else deals with the
issues of life, but I don't want a lot of angst and false
situations (so I pretty much steer clear of young/new
adult--too much unnecessary drama). I like all genres of
romance but my favorite is still historical.
(Karen Hillis 3:15pm August 15, 2015)
I love ur books and I want a book with teen characters
(Jane Bennett 5:32pm August 15, 2015)
i don;t have a e-reader i love a real book
(Emily Stemp 8:01pm August 15, 2015)
Characters I can care about.
(Julie Touchstone 8:31pm August 15, 2015)
A story I can't put down. And a satisfying ending. I don't want to be
bummed when I finish a book.
(Laura Gullickson 10:06pm August 15, 2015)
I want an interesting plot, well developed characters, and
witty dialogue.
(G. Bisbjerg 10:16pm August 15, 2015)
I want a good solid plot, good editing of the story and
interesting characters!
(Kyriaki Sidira 11:35am August 16, 2015)
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