Last Saturday night, I had the pleasure of speaking at a local church’s inaugural women’s ministry event. I was invited to share about my love of Christian fiction, chat about some fabulous authors and books, and show some photos and videos of my trip to ACFW last year. Getting the chance to share my passion is something I love to do and I so appreciate the opportunity to do so ~ thanks Leola!
As I chatted with the women in attendance, I was asked a question that I thought would be great to discuss here, so here it is:
What makes a story great for you?
March 4, 2014 at 2:25 am
Deep characterization. The characters and their scenario have to seem real. Along with that, I want reality. Issues. Drama! Real people + real-life scenarios = a must read!
March 4, 2014 at 10:21 am
Sally Bradley » Oh, Sally, yes! Authenticity is so important to me, as well. Any recent books that have provided that perfect combination for you?
March 4, 2014 at 5:05 pm
I think you’ve read some of them. 🙂 Dear Mr. Knightley and Katie Ganshert’s next book, A Broken Kind of Beautiful. Lisa Wingate’s The Prayer Box and Etheridge/Mackel’s To Know You.
I’m always looking for more like these! Any that I’m missing?
March 11, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Sally Bradley » Great list – I haven’t read To Know You but it is on my radar. Have you read Julie Cantrell’s Into the Free?
March 12, 2014 at 1:02 am
I did. That’s a good one too. Need to read the sequel still.
March 4, 2014 at 7:23 am
Wow, how exciting to be invited to talk about reading and books and such exciting stuff!!! So glad you went for it, and I hope you were incredibly blessed and encouraged because of it.
What makes a story great for me? Great characters, a plot that surprises me is always welcome and beautiful writing. When the writing style is bumpy the other two factors become overshadowed, even if they were magnificent.
March 4, 2014 at 10:20 am
Tracy » There is something enrapturing about beautiful prose, isn’t there, Tracy? I also love witty, evocative, and heart-pounding prose, depending on the genre 🙂 And, yes, characters are key for me, too. Had good fun at Beaconsfield Baptist 🙂
March 4, 2014 at 8:32 am
Characters. Characters I can either relate to or feel for. When I get invested in them and want to know how things turn out for them. That realllly makes a story awesome for me. Great question btw. Thanks for sharing.
March 4, 2014 at 10:19 am
Juju at Tales of Whimsy… » I’m with you, Juju – you can’t go past a great connection with interesting characters. Do you have any standout characters? Oh, that would be a great bookish question!!
March 4, 2014 at 11:04 am
Wow. So many things go into making a “great” story though I think it can “get way” with a lot if it has wonderful characters. If you can relate to them or they come across as being genuine, that is when a story truly shines at its best.
March 5, 2014 at 3:47 am
I read this question as both an author and a reader … and there are so many elements that weave together to create a great story – the kind of book that causes real life to fade away into the background because what is happening on the page is so vivid or poignant or enchanting.
I want reality in my fiction — a story has to be plausible — and I want to care about the imaginary people so much so that I think about them days later. And when an author rises above cliches and masters words and phrases, making them woo the reader’s senses … ah, that’s an author I will read again and again. And that’s also an author I will learn from.
March 11, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Beth K. Vogt » Ah, perfect thoughts, Beth – they certainly resonated with me. Appreciate you taking the time to share 🙂 It’s clear, having had the pleasure of reading your books, you “get” readers and are able to create wonderful characters that readers can’t let go even once they have finished reading. That’s especially true of Somebody Like You!
March 5, 2014 at 8:42 pm
It was great having you come and talk at our women’s event Rel – we really enjoyed having you!
What makes a great story? I have to go with real characters dealing with real issues, and a storyline that is believable, but still manages to surprise me. I want to get beyond the superficial into the mind and emotions of the characters, and to keep guessing at the ending until I’m there. That’s when I connect and can’t put the book down.
March 11, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Leola » Hey! Thanks so much for dropping by and sharing your thoughts, Leola. I loved the opportunity to contribute to your event – what a privilege. I love your comment on real characters – I so agree.
March 7, 2014 at 9:14 am
I love when an author makes me “feel” a story. I can’t stand it when I’m being told what the character is feeling–I should be able to feel it if the writing is good. And yes, real characters make a HUGE impact on carrying the story. I want to experience the book, not just be told a story.
Great question! I am so excited for you, Rel, that you got to speak about your passion! I pray for many more opportunities for you to share as you do what God obviously gave you a passion for. You are touching many lives because you are following what God put in your heart and He’ll honor you for that. 🙂
March 11, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Joleen » You’re such a sweetheart, Joleen – thank you for your kind words, they are so encouraging. And loved your comments on what makes a book great for you!