{RNW} Readers Weigh In

Ramblings of a Night Writer continues after one week off!  Last week was simply too hectic for me and life interrupted the writing in my neck of the woods.  I am slowly getting back on the horse this week on multiple levels, including {RNW}!  Last week, I had the opportunity to attend two very different author events, featuring Andrea Cremer and Thrity Umrigar.  Both were fascinating for very different reasons.  Then, earlier this week I was chatting with a friend about books, and a similar topic came up that was mentioned briefly in last week's events.  It really got me thinking about writing from a reader's perspective and wondering what a potential audience loves to read in books.  So today, I turn to all my fabulous readers to share your thoughts!

Tell Me:  What is it that hooks you to a book?  Is is well established characters?  Characters that you can relate to on multiple levels?  Or, is it the plot?  Does the story have to have tension to be a success in the reader's eyes?  Or, is it a fine balance of both?

As for me, I have come to truly love character development.  I have found myself reading a horrid book simply because I want to know what happens to a character that I have discovered some sort of connection with.  My case in point:  Anna Karenina!  I love to explore a character, his strengths and particularly, his flaws that make him that much more real to me.  Sometimes I care about the plot.  Sometimes tension can be important.  BUT, I find myself more invested if there is a character that stirs a strong emotion in me or feels familiar.