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You know that feeling you get when you start reading a book and you just connect to it so well? It’s that same connection and empathy that compels us to revisit our favorites — the book that’s dogeared and has paragraphs that you know by heart.
As I reader, I didn’t think about the reason why I loved a book so much. I just knew that is was a favorite. Now that I’m a writer, I always try to find the strings attached behind the words. The craft behind the connection.
And one thing that makes a good book to me is emotion. It’s that connection with the character. And if a writer can do that then that writer is well on her way to making a good book.
I have tons of new craft books that I just can’t wait to start reading after Operation 50/50. I did read the introduction of one of them, Second Sight by editor Cheryl Klein. I had the pleasure of attending her revision workshop at the 2010 Springmingle Conference and this is what she had to say about what makes a good book:
“I think good fiction books (good art in general) create a deliberate emotion in the person experiencing it [...] The emotion is achieved authentically through immersing us in the character’s lived experience, not through cheap manipulation.”
And although I do loves a good plot, adding the emotion dimension is a bonus. A good example is a book I’m currently reading, The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan. What has kept me coming back to this trilogy is not the awesome zombie apocalypse and the dark world but the emotion. It’s not all blood and gore — it’s also about connecting with the characters and how they are dealing not only with the need to survive against unrelenting zombies but also their inner conflicts, doubts, fears, and desires. Emotions that are universal.
For me, Emotion = Good Book. And this is coming from a plot chick. Ha.
What about you? Are you reading a book right now or have a favorite book that connects with you through emotion? Would love to hear about some of them. :)
Sorry about the late post. (ugh a day late! to be exact)
Carrie Ryan is one of my favorite writers. If I could pick a writer to write like - Carrie would be in my top 3. Why? because I LOVE how she walks the line between commercial and literary.
I love that she can write beautifully while having a pacy novel.
Oh yeah and after I met with her (And Megan Miranda) last fall for lunch (aka Mexican fiesta!), I developed a huge writer crush on her. Not only is she so sweet, but she is hilarious - and you all know how much I love funny, sweet people.
Now, if you have not read this series because you are telling yourself "I am not a zombie person" I want you to know - "I am not a zombie person either!"
But a couple years ago, I happened to watch
Forest of Hands and Teeth trailer on Amazon and it scared the crapola out of me. yet intrigued me so much I bought the book that day. And a) i never read zombie stuff b) hate horror, and 3) hate to be scared like that. But the words on that video pulled me in.
And I've read all 3 books happily.
So after just finishing the Arc of TDAHP (which btw the sequels are really companion novels because they follow 3 different characters though they are all connected closely) - here is my shout out:
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Totally! It’s the emotion in a story that makes me love the book, even if I don’t realize it. I think that’s true with most readers. But it needs to hang on a good plot or I drift away too.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s all about that emotional connection for me. If I don’t care about the characters and feel connected to them then chances are I won’t keep reading.
This makes so much sense! I am reading Among the Mad a Masie Dobbs novel and I’m just not getting anywhere. I can’t connect with this book though I loved a previous Masie Dobbs novel. Perhaps I am NOT emotionally connected to the story. However, I still crack up at certain scenes of Mr. Monk is Miserable! Loved that book and can read it over and over!
Laura: Yes, emotion just by itself still needs some plot action to really make a novel compelling. You need both.
Heather: Exactly, if I can’t connect to a character in the first chapter, I’ll most likely put the book down — I may come back to it but much later after reading other books that speak to me better.
Saba: Isn’t that funny how that happens. I’ve been reading a series and now that it’s on Book Six, I’m sort of losing the connection. I think this is the reason also — I’m not emotionally involved anymore.
Anything written by Jonathan Carroll touches me on an emotional level. He’s a magnifcent writer.