Good point, Melanie. Unless the reveal is satisfying, all the suspense in the world won't make the reader enjoy the book. But, I love when the plot makes me turn the pages with anticipation!
The reveal can make me mad but I can still enjoy the book. Weird, huh? The Hunger Games is my best example of this. I was so mad at the end of the third book that I started writing all my feelings down. I came to terms with all of it and boosted my stars since it was a book that got me thinking. So, for me, I don't have to be 100% satisfied to think a book is great--maybe because life is like that, too.
Don't get me started! I hated the third book of The Hunger Games. My daughter said she finished the book, and got in the shower and cried because she felt broken! I wanted a happy ending, and it wasn't happy to me and I was so disappointed. BUT, I still loved reading it. Absolutely! They are some of my favorite books. They just didn't go the way I wanted them to!
I agree, Laura. Even if I can predict the outcome, I enjoy reading the book to see if I was right or not. I love when I'm not right, when a book surprises me.
Me too, Charissa. Great advice from a great writer. I would love to have a conversation with him and pick his brain. Except I might find some pretty creepy things!!
BUT don't forget the happy ever after. I think that's required in Romance. LOL I think you do very well with those surprise endings. the middle aisle immediately comes to mind. That ending left me speechless. The best ending I have ever read in a Romance novel. And sierra has a nice little twist, too. I wouldn't mind having a little more of that. LOL I hope you have a great weekend.
I've learned my lesson--readers want a twist and they want happily ever after! My next book has a huge twist in it! I'm only 26,000 words in right now, and I plan to tweak this book till the twist is not obvious. We'll see how it goes. It's a personal story that I feel driven to commit to paper, but I don't want to leave out the twist either. Glad you liked the twist in The Middle Aisle. I actually didn't come up with that idea till halfway through the book. Then I had to go back and make it work without it being obvious. Best thing I ever did for that book. Thanks, Sherry. Hope you have a great weekend too!
So true!! Not knowing everything is what keeps me reading. Then, the question becomes: will I be disappointed, shocked, surprised, happy, mad, etc.?
ReplyDeleteGood point, Melanie. Unless the reveal is satisfying, all the suspense in the world won't make the reader enjoy the book. But, I love when the plot makes me turn the pages with anticipation!
DeleteThe reveal can make me mad but I can still enjoy the book. Weird, huh? The Hunger Games is my best example of this. I was so mad at the end of the third book that I started writing all my feelings down. I came to terms with all of it and boosted my stars since it was a book that got me thinking. So, for me, I don't have to be 100% satisfied to think a book is great--maybe because life is like that, too.
DeleteDon't get me started! I hated the third book of The Hunger Games. My daughter said she finished the book, and got in the shower and cried because she felt broken! I wanted a happy ending, and it wasn't happy to me and I was so disappointed. BUT, I still loved reading it. Absolutely! They are some of my favorite books. They just didn't go the way I wanted them to!
DeleteTelling it like it is! Even if I have a good idea what's coming, I'm not always right and the fun is in getting there.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Laura. Even if I can predict the outcome, I enjoy reading the book to see if I was right or not. I love when I'm not right, when a book surprises me.
DeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Charissa. Great advice from a great writer. I would love to have a conversation with him and pick his brain. Except I might find some pretty creepy things!!
DeleteThat is so true! My daughter is reading the 3rd Mortal Instruments book, and she's like I figured it out in the first 50 pages! Not fun lol!
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to read a book wherein you did not guess the reveal!! So satisfying! Something for me to keep in mind as I write my next book . . .
DeleteBUT don't forget the happy ever after. I think that's required in Romance. LOL I think you do very well with those surprise endings. the middle aisle immediately comes to mind. That ending left me speechless. The best ending I have ever read in a Romance novel. And sierra has a nice little twist, too. I wouldn't mind having a little more of that. LOL I hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've learned my lesson--readers want a twist and they want happily ever after! My next book has a huge twist in it! I'm only 26,000 words in right now, and I plan to tweak this book till the twist is not obvious. We'll see how it goes. It's a personal story that I feel driven to commit to paper, but I don't want to leave out the twist either.
DeleteGlad you liked the twist in The Middle Aisle. I actually didn't come up with that idea till halfway through the book. Then I had to go back and make it work without it being obvious. Best thing I ever did for that book.
Thanks, Sherry. Hope you have a great weekend too!
I'm eager to see what you come up with next. ^_^
ReplyDelete