To the Author of (Insert Applicable Book Titles Here):
If your villain murders an extremely likable secondary character (and yes, that was a huge shock, as I'm sure you wanted it to be) midway through the book, don't have your hero tell me about the villain's capture and/or punishment. Show me.
If the hero is unfaithful to the heroine (for whatever reason), when the heroine confronts him about it, don't have them settle matters between them with a single apology and an ashamed expression. I want to see groveling. Extended groveling. Even if he didn't love her when he was unfaithful, he hurt her badly, and he knows he hurt her badly. A single "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it.
If your hero and heroine spend the entire book struggling to overcome the odds and be together, don't end the book just as they finally get together. Give me at least one chapter of them being happy.
If your heroine is being threatened by your villain, and the hero is now physically fighting with the villain, don't just have your heroine stand by, wringing her hands. They're fighting in a room you earlier described as being filled with vases and statuary. She could pick something up and hit the villain. Hell, if nothing else, she could run for help.
There's a fine line between sassy and childish. Your heroine should never cross it. Flouncing crosses it. If your hero spanks your heroine, it should be because they've mutually agreed it would be fun. Not because the reader thinks she needs one.
When your villain is far more interesting than your hero, you're doing it wrong. Or at least, you're presenting it wrong. Maybe you meant to tell another story entirely? I wouldn't mind, except, you know, I paid for this story.
If the hero is unfaithful to the heroine (for whatever reason), when the heroine confronts him about it, don't have them settle matters between them with a single apology and an ashamed expression. I want to see groveling. Extended groveling. Even if he didn't love her when he was unfaithful, he hurt her badly, and he knows he hurt her badly. A single "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it.
If your hero and heroine spend the entire book struggling to overcome the odds and be together, don't end the book just as they finally get together. Give me at least one chapter of them being happy.
If your heroine is being threatened by your villain, and the hero is now physically fighting with the villain, don't just have your heroine stand by, wringing her hands. They're fighting in a room you earlier described as being filled with vases and statuary. She could pick something up and hit the villain. Hell, if nothing else, she could run for help.
There's a fine line between sassy and childish. Your heroine should never cross it. Flouncing crosses it. If your hero spanks your heroine, it should be because they've mutually agreed it would be fun. Not because the reader thinks she needs one.
When your villain is far more interesting than your hero, you're doing it wrong. Or at least, you're presenting it wrong. Maybe you meant to tell another story entirely? I wouldn't mind, except, you know, I paid for this story.