This week, I conducted a (highly unscientific) survey, via Twitter and Facebook, to discover what you all had to say on the subject. As always, your thoughts were deep, funny, pithy, and challenging.
For Your Consideration: 6 Elements of a Good Book
So what elements make a good book?
1. Theme
The book should mean something, or at least make you think about something in a new way.–@jontouchstone
>>Click here to read more about Theme.
2. Characters
Strong characters. I loathe reading cardboard characters.–@MaryAdkins
Good characters we care about. They can make the most tired or ridiculous plot seem fresh and absorbing.–@brokenvoice
Well-developed characters that I actually care about, not just flat names.–Christopher Michael Thompson
>>Click here to read more about Characters.
3. Takeaway Value
Besides the usual, a good story should [have] a nuerobic element; something to challenge the mind.–@Brahms41
Truth about human nature.–@stevepoling
A relevant message that speaks to the reader.–Sarah Holman
>>Click here to read more Takeaway Value
4. Satisfying Ending
A happy ending.–Sage Dahlby
@Sage: No, no, no, no, no, no!–Austin H. Williams
A happy ending isn’t as important as a satisfying ending. You can make me cry, but make me glad I read to The End.–Lorna G. Poston
>>Click here to read more about Endings.
5. Good Mechanics
Words–MillardthemkJones
“Good book” is so entirely relative. But I think when it gets right down to it a good book must have meaning behind the action, and action behind the characters. The world must work with the characters and story and vice versa, and the more intense this bond the better. I myself strongly prefer good timing, subtlety, and interwoven foreshadowing, though these aren’t strictly necessary.–Holly Heisey
“The most interesting story is always the story of the writer’s style,” said Nabokov.–@RayAHarvey
>>Click here to read more about Good Mechanics.
6. Unpredictability
A story that is not predictable.–April ElshaHawk Schoffstall
>>Click here to read more about Unpredictability.
In Summation…
A good book slowly grabs you by the soul without your knowledge. By the time you’re in tears and laughing at the top of your lungs at the same time it’s too late. You’re hooked.–Tom Williams
Wordplayers, tell me your opinions! What do you think are the must-have elements of a good book? Tell me in the comments!
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