My take: it's a matter of opinion. Publishers. Agents. Writers. Book Stores. Readers. All have their own idea of what works. Was thinking about this when I read Ilona Andrews, of the Magic urban fantasy series of Atlanta gone awry with fluctuating magic, making a comment in a blog which I think sums the situation up beautifully:
"A gripping book is like porn. You know when you see it, but if you try to identify the elements of it, chances are someone will come back with a gripping book that does exactly the opposite."
Want an amusing look at a successful writer's day seen through the eyes of his/her hypothetical intern? Here's a link to the blog "Interns".
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So do I write gripping stories? I don't think so. I'm sort of a dilettante who writes more to amuse myself than become a great author or even a best-selling writer. Still, do have a publication date for "There Be Demons" of Spring 2014. Arcs should be ready about October-November. Then, I have to go into marketing mode to justify the investment Grumpy Dragon is making in me.
Have a big editorial meeting coming up in a couple weeks. I'm hoping my editorial board asks enough questions to fill in the holes in my storyline, characters, descriptions and all that other stuff that goes into making a readable story. In the meantime, I hoping the storyline is gripping enough not to put them to sleep.
2 comments:
Hi Kay! Grumpy Dragon must think "There Be Demons" is gripping. I sure hope you'll come over and do a guest blog post for me when the book is available.
Don't know what I'd write about ... but am more than willing to. Have been reading up on blog tours and wondering which ones are worth while.
My efforts marketing Troublesome Neighbors efforts lead me to how effect the marketing song-and-dances are in terms of sales.
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