Friday Five: What Makes For Good Writing
I've been thinking about this question a lot lately. With every book I read, I ask myself, why did I like that so much? What kept me turning the pages? Or alternatively, why didn't I like it? Where did I get bored?
1. I'm currently reading White Cat by Holly Black. It's one of the best books I've read lately.What do I like about it? The first thing that comes to mind is that the writing never gets in the way. I never think, "Oh the author was trying to do X here," or "the author was trying to be the artiste." The words aren't drawing attention to themselves, they're just telling the story.
2. The characters are believable. They act in ways that make sense for them. There isn't a moment where I say, "He wouldn't do that."Even when the situations are such that anything could happen, the characters act in ways that are consistent with who they're supposed to be.
3. It's surprising. She's surprised me several times already with plot twists, and I feel uncertain about what will happen next. I love surprises. There was one moment where things went so badly for the character that I actually closed the book for a day because it just felt too frustrating. But that's rare in this book. Mostly, I'm just cheering him on, wanting to know what he'll do next.
4. She builds a world that is inventive and engaging. There's the world of the curse workers and the world of the con artist, which are not one and the same but are related. And she comes across as an expert on both. I'm fascinated by the world of the con and the thought she put into conveying the world of a con artist. I love how the main character works his cons and can't wait to see what plan he'll put into action next. And I won't be entirely surprised if the reader is being conned on some level, too, which is exciting.
5. Finally, what I love about it is how it all hangs together. The world, the characters, the words -- they form their own little microcosm that feels like a whole. And that whole is fascinating and engaging and believable. Now that is good writing.
I'd say more, but -- I've got to get back to reading and find out what happens next!
1. I'm currently reading White Cat by Holly Black. It's one of the best books I've read lately.What do I like about it? The first thing that comes to mind is that the writing never gets in the way. I never think, "Oh the author was trying to do X here," or "the author was trying to be the artiste." The words aren't drawing attention to themselves, they're just telling the story.
2. The characters are believable. They act in ways that make sense for them. There isn't a moment where I say, "He wouldn't do that."Even when the situations are such that anything could happen, the characters act in ways that are consistent with who they're supposed to be.
3. It's surprising. She's surprised me several times already with plot twists, and I feel uncertain about what will happen next. I love surprises. There was one moment where things went so badly for the character that I actually closed the book for a day because it just felt too frustrating. But that's rare in this book. Mostly, I'm just cheering him on, wanting to know what he'll do next.
4. She builds a world that is inventive and engaging. There's the world of the curse workers and the world of the con artist, which are not one and the same but are related. And she comes across as an expert on both. I'm fascinated by the world of the con and the thought she put into conveying the world of a con artist. I love how the main character works his cons and can't wait to see what plan he'll put into action next. And I won't be entirely surprised if the reader is being conned on some level, too, which is exciting.
5. Finally, what I love about it is how it all hangs together. The world, the characters, the words -- they form their own little microcosm that feels like a whole. And that whole is fascinating and engaging and believable. Now that is good writing.
I'd say more, but -- I've got to get back to reading and find out what happens next!