Story.
Before I started writing, I didn’t care about the standards set by the writing industry. Maybe some of you don’t either.
I mean I’ve always been a grammar nazi about punctuation, spelling, and word placement. Mistakes in these areas bugged me. Still do. But I knew nothing of head-hopping (changing which character’s head the story is being told from mid-scene), was usage, adverbs, and various other no-no’s in writing.
Story was key. It was what 
made the book worth reading.
Did the story pull me in? Could I relate to the characters–even the antagonist? Were there lengthy, boring monologues that I just HAD to skip over? Too much description? Not enough? Was I left wondering what was going on? Did the story have a happily-ever-after?
I’ve read some badly edited works because the story kept me intrigued. And I’ve put down some wonderfully edited novels because the story left me empty and bored.
In the end, story is key. I can deal with a lot of editing issues if the story holds my attention. I’m sure you feel the same way.
When I’m reading, I LOVE cowboys, soldiers, and firemen/policemen, and feisty heroines that challenge them.
As a writer, a lot of my heroines are internally strong, but life has made them doubt their ability to survive alone. They may start the story appearing weak, but they grow toward strength as they recognize their identity in Christ.
What do you like to read about the most? Do you like strong heroines? Cowboys? Children? Pets? Marriages of convenience?
Comment with your answer before midnight Friday, 11/4, for a chance to win my latest release, Love’s Choice. The winner will be announced Sunday, 11/6 in the IR Sunday Edition.
And now an update: I am just over one month post surgery. (If you missed it, I had a tumor on my pituitary gland removed in September.) I still have an annoying amount of swelling in my nose (portal to the brain–did you know that?) due to having a deviated septum repaired at the same time, BUT GOD answered your prayers and mine, and my vision was restored completely. I am on the mend and performing my daily responsibilities, though I still tire pretty easily.
I’ve started writing again, but it’s slow going. I had hoped to get a Christmas novella out this year (and I may yet–the story just came together in my head earlier this week), but it will be a big push to do so. Keep watch. I’ll let you know. :)
Blessings,
Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre. Even when she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, reading or writing are not far from her mind. She is president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.
Glad to hear you are recovering Ginger, God is good. And yay, another story soon:)? I’m with you, I have stuck with some pretty awful stories spelling/grammar wise because it was a good story. I enjoy stories with strong heroines, marriages of convenience, where there is a secret keeping a couple apart that needs resolving…honestly, if the story is good, has strong characters, then I’m willing to try!
I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better and writing again. Take care of yourself!
Like Wemble, if the characters are strong, I keep reading. I do have a tendency to skip over long descriptions. I prefer a faster pace.
Hi Ginger! So thankful you are on the mend and your vision is restored. As a writer, that must have been tough!
As a reader, STORY is KEY! As a retired English teacher, I can overlook some typos, because I realize spell check often changes what we type. I dislike reading long monologues or descriptive passage, but I can often skim past those. Overuse of cliches makes me quit reading. If I am not hooked during the first few chapters, I quit reading. There is so many talented inspiring authors, who write thought provoking well researched and written works, that I no longer finish a story I can’t relate to. I am drawn to the unusual profession or setting or a new theme.
Best wishes as you transform the story from your head to paper. Happy Writing!
Thanks, Wemble. I hope another story soon. I’ll get my guys out the door this morning, and I hope to have some writing time.
Thanks, Jill.
I like faster paced novels at times too. Long descriptions are… well, long. :D
Thank you, Renate. You’re right… there are so many talented writers that reading dribble is just a waste of time.
And thanks for the best wishes.
Blessings for a full recovery! May God give you continued strength and endurance as you heal from your surgery.
My favorite lead characters are people who are ordinary everyday people with faith and integrity in the midst of daily struggles and trials of life. Yes I like reading about the heroics of cowboys, firemen, and policemen, and military but there’s nothing like reading historical fiction.
Glad you’re feeling better ☺
I’m glad to hear you’re healing and we’ll have new stories soon.
I totally agree with you that story is key– I’ve also read good books with spelling issues and not so good ones without errors. The former trump the latter all the time. I’m partial to strong characters and hea, dislike being distracted by overly indulging in pets’ stories or aide stories that add nothing.
Glad you are on the road to recovery! Hope you experience a complete restoration of your strength and energy as well.
To answer your question: YES! Yes, I do like strong heroines, cowboys, children, pets, marriages of convenience, contemporary, historical, romance most… as long as it’s Christian fiction, I want to read it! I thrive on variety in my reading diet and it’s possible that I might maybe could be a book glutton :)
I’m so happy to hear you are doing better! I don’t know what I like to read most about. Basically any story that draws me in a holds my attention is what I’m looking for in a book.
Lord continue to bless you as you recover. It does take time to heal. I like strong heroes and heroines. Bad editing can drive me crazy, but if the story is good I’ll wade through it. I like how the story helps characters learn about God in the inspirational stories.
Thankful for your successful surgeries! I agree that story is pretty important. If I get sucked in, I can forgive a lot.
Bless your recovery, and I’m very glad you are releasing a new book!
I also like reading about realistic, flawed people. When the first chapter is about the heroine of the story being beautiful, wealthy, with a successful career, living in a nice suburb or penthouse, I put the book back on the store shelf. I want to read about women like ME. Women who have to rush in the morning making peanut butter sandwiches for their kids’ lunch, take the dog out to ‘go,’ realize there’s crumbs and dog hair on the kitchen floor but she has no energy to clean the house today. She can’t fit into a size 10, much less a 4.
Her love interest/boyfriend/husband is flawed and makes mistakes, he doesn’t have a BMW or 6-pack abs- but he’s still loveable in spite of it. Both the hero and heroine try to grow their faith in Jesus, but aren’t perfect!
I was really feeling a lack in Christian romance novels about ordinary people, so I’m inspired to write novels hoping to fill that niche. :)
-Julianne
Bless your recovery from your surgeries!
I like a story that has tension between the characters- both inner tension and scenes of messy conflict. Yelling, tears, revelation of secrets. Particularly if that conflict can be resolved and forgiven, and the characters can accept or love each other by the story’s end.
I also like romance novels where the female main character is relatable and ordinary. If I start reading a book and she is beautiful, wealthy, with a successful career and lives in a penthouse or wealthy suburb, I usually put the book back on the store shelf. I’d like to read about a character who is like me. A woman who has to rush to make peanut butter sandwiches and pack her kids’ lunches, then go take the dog out, feed the dog, see that the kitchen is a mess but is too exhausted to feel like cleaning it.
I’d even like the male hero to be a flawed but good guy, so HE isn’t a perfect dream fantasy. I know some readers like the fantasy, but I personally like a story closer to something that will happen in REAL LIFE. It’s much more interesting.
I enjoy historical fiction as well, Peggy. It’s nice to read about a simpler life once in a while. It’s helpful to escape the realities of our techology-laden society (as I read said book on my techie device LOL).
Thanks, Jennifer.
So glad the surgery cleared up your vision, Ginger! Like everyone else, I can forgive some editing errors if the story itself is compelling.
Thanks, Priscila. Useless subplots can get annoying. Sometimes it feels like the writer needed extra words and just added the plot for that reason. I sure hope I never fall prey to that. :)
A book glutton…I like that. I’ve seen a picture on FB that shows a mug that says I’m a book dragon not a book worm. That would be me.
Drawing us in is important. I know that it sometimes also depends on my mood. A book I couldn’t get into a month ago might well be interesting to me right now. ;)
Thank you, Diana. Stories that help me wade through my spiritual journey through the lives of the characters are some of my favorites.
Thanks, Margaret. We overlook a lot for a good story.
Real life to life stories; I like those too. :)
LOL, I use the book dragon hashtag on instagram sometimes :D
:)
I’m with you, Ginger–cowboys, soldiers, and cops! Best wishes for speedy healing.
So happy you are doing better. I guess I’m the odd romance reader. I’m not fond of cowboys, cops, and firefighters who seem so popular these days in romance. My heroes tend to have mundane jobs like teacher, banker, accountant, medical writer, lab worker. I have had a few ex-soldiers as heroes and one millionaire.
Thanks, Lee.
All of those are good, too, Merrillee. Normal is always high on my list. :)
I am with you Merrillee! I am not fond of cowboys . I want ordinary Midwest males! Besides the ines you listed construction worker, designer, office worker, cook. Not the perfect hunk!
So glad you are doing much better. Surgery recovery is the pits, but necessary of course. I enjoy mail order bride stories, wagon trains to the west, Amish, and anything with clean romance.
Merrillee….I, for one, LOVE your “boring” heroes because they ARE different from the “norm” :-) Ordinary guys you’d find in everyday in life….the unsung heroes if you will! That’s what makes them stand out from the crowd. Thanks for being “you”!!
Ginger I didn’t know you had surgery!! SO glad you are feeling better & I will be keeping you in my prayers for God to completely heal you and speedily! :-)
What kind of stories do I like? I love mail-order brides, marriage of convenience & reunion love stories. Historical & suspense being my top two genres…and of course they must have an element of romance ;-) I also like cowboys & ranches…..those hard-working men who provide for their families.
Like Merrillee said, I also like the ordinary hero. I think that sometimes the “plain” men can stand out in a crowd. It’s the heart that counts anyway, right? ;-)
Glad you are on the mend. I love Christian stories, western, Amish, southern…especially those with dogs in the mix. :-)
I love cowboys I also love paranormal books. As for the story, well I will keep reading a poorly edited book but it tends to jar me out of the story when there are editorial mistakes. The bug me big time. Like the book I am reading right now the female lead was telling the male lead about the “boy” who she thought she would spend her life with dying and a couple paragraphs later he was wondering more about how Keith died. She didn’t tell him the boy’s name. It drives me crazy!
Yay! So glad your vision is restored! Prayers for the other lingering issues to resolve fast.
Clean is the key for me, too, Gail. I’m not stuck on Christian, but I can “mostly” guarantee clean when I read it exclusively.
Absolutely the heart that counts, but we humans look on the outside far more than we ought. :D
A dog lover. I love me some dogs. I’d foster for our local shelter but my husband is opposed. :( I satisfy myself with the one he grudgingly allowed.
Hmmm… I wonder why I don’t add them to my stories? I might just have to change some things up in the future. hahaha
Those inconsistencies are frustrating; I agree. I read a book once where the same paragraph was repeated right after itself. Someone goofed BIG TIME on that one. lol
Thank you, Autumn.
Renate and Trixi, thanks for liking my ordinary guys. :)