Author Topic: what do you look for in a book (Read 887 times)

necromancer · « **on:** February 10, 2007, 03:54:22 PM »

I'm currently trying to write a high fantasy novel. As a matter of interest I was wondering what particular aspects of books do you look for when your looking for a book in a shop. By aspects I mean origional characters, complex or simple worlds or what kind of sub-genre do you prefer.

Ria Hawk · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:36:57 PM »

I tend to go for really good characters, myself, everything else comes from that.

But don't write what you think people want to read. Write what you want to write, and what you feel comfortable with. It'll be a better book.

Ancient Gamer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2007, 08:36:40 PM »

I go for good plots. Everything else is secondary to me... Wait, I love detail and plots. Yep. Detail goes a long way too!

CaptainPenguin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2007, 06:56:43 PM »

You need to avoid any cliches. Cliches piss me off, and I am instantly turned off a book if it has very big and/or obvious cliches in it. I want to read something new, not just everything that's ever been written before.

Ria Hawk · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2007, 07:03:15 PM »

Well, I've seen some works use cliches on purpose, just to turn them completely upside down (I've done it.) Of course, turning them upside down works *because* it's a new treatment of it...

necromancer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2007, 04:52:27 PM »

Thanks, that stuff about the cliches might come in handy.

Strolen · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2007, 07:11:49 PM »

Cliche or not, I am a sucker for anything that starts with normal person and turns them into something world changing. Wheel of Time, Hobbit, Riftwar, etc, etc. The journey of the characters is what always sells me the most.