What is it within a book’s words that keeps you reading, what’s the magic.
What is it within a book’s words that keeps you reading, what’s the magic.
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What is it within a book’s words that keeps you reading, what’s the magic.
Characters. Story line can be questionable but if it has good character, it makes such a difference.
thank you
Connection
I would agree with Sean and Prachi. If I can connect with a character, then the rest of the book can be just alright.
Being taken to another world. The best feeling is getting lost in a book. It’s great to forget about my own life worries.
so the storyline is more important to you, than the characters?
@Shaun I guess
Personality of characters, and of the author.
Is it connection? I’ve got to say I don’t have any connection to Frodo or his problems, but still lord of the rings is my favourite book. I like to be taken on a journey, whether that’s Physically or emotionally. A far cry from my own mundane life x
Wouldn’t being taken on a emotional journey be the same as connection?
Not necessarily, because I don’t relate to them. But that makes it more interesting for me.
I admit that sometimes there is connection even if it’s just empathy, but not always x
Liking the characters. If I do not like them, I stop reading it. No use reading it if you despise the characters
Reader-friendly narrative style, settings, description; it should be like a dream
Story.
Being able to read the words and see what the author was writing! To perhaps at times feel the emotion of the words as they roll through your mind.
yes, that’s cool
Like Lord Vetinari, I want to see what happens next.
Ha ha I love Terry Pratchett, a god amongst writers ?
The special effect, the casting director and the advertising are all done by you, the reader. Oh, the power!
Story plus the imagination you get with reading the book
Plot and I love to hear words that I’m not used to hearing everyday.
Oh me too! I have the biggest crush on new mysterious words.
@Amira yes and I highlight them after I get the definition lol
Most of the time for me it’s the characters that fascinate me and keep me reading. I get bored of predictable plots, but I can forgive that if the characters are vibrant enough.
this mabe a stupid question, but what makes them vibrant. i’m writing but i think my characters maybe boring.
@Shaun Everyone has things that make them interesting, but it’s always different. We all have different flaws, interests, ways of speaking and acting, etc. Basically the characters need to feel real.
@Sharon i thank you and the others, I’m understanding my flaws much better now.
@Shaun A character has to be believeable, the character should be descriptive by nature and action but I would say most all is that you can get your reader to actually see the character as you see them , that your words convey meaning, color of thought and conviction. You must be convinced of your character before someone else will be. Words are power so use them!
@Jerry ill try, thank you.
@Shaun Here is a tidbit also. Go to your library and find the biggest, most definitiuve dictionary you can and then study it, read back to front and front to back, increase the vocabulary and you increase your expertise in decriptive power!
Imagination of the words.????
Honestly I don’t know. I just know that if a book keeps me interested past the first paragraph, it’s pretty much a given that I’ll like it. If I can’t get past the first paragraph, I usually try to keep going for at least a few pages but if it doesn’t keep my interest for that long, then I give up and find another book.
That’s actually really helpful, thanks.
Good question! For me I like it to grab me pretty quickly. If you get my attention and make me wonder what’s going to happen next, I’m in. I also need to be able to “see” the characters. It makes more like watching a movie in my head.
[writing my own book] i think the characters maybe my problem, and thanks to you people. I know this now, thank you.
Awwww you’re welcome. For me personally I just need a decent description. For example, the series I’m reading now clearly has a very attractive, fit detective who is white, has blond hair and a nice figure. Her partner is a huge, muscular black guy with a bald head and fake eye. I gotta have the visual.
It speaks an eternal truth. Telling one thing while saying another.
Style abides.
That I have to keep reading to see what happens next
Characters and connection. I don’t care how good the story line is. If the charcters aren’t strong and they don’t form a connection – with each other or the the reader – the story just won’t resonate.
For me each author has his or her own original magic that keeps me riveted. Of course some have none at all. Often it is the expression of a compassionate soul or a stunning intellect.
you all are so very helpful, thank you.
the book brings you to another world inside your head where you can see it unfold in your mind . It,s better than a movie cause there,s know editing to get in the way . your mind is free to paint the picture as you see it . Freedom to expand that world with no over cost for running long . With ticket prices these days it,s better to buy the book and read and reread every word to disappear back into the story and enjoy the ride . No cost to you but time .That,s the good thing when your reading time as know say on how long you stay .Only the end does . lol
Some kind of magic that keeps you wanting more.
Books – fiction and nonfiction alike – teach you empathy. They let you see into the part of the author’s soul which she has let the world see. Books appeal to our social nature.
Characters and world building. I want to be able to visualize everything in my own head. Pillars of the Earth is a good example. I know Kingsbridge like the back of my hand. I hate when movies are made because it ruins the vision I had of the characters.