An Important Question for my Flisters

[mlsky]

Okay, Flisters, I have a question for you all. When you're picking up a book to read, what are you looking for?  angylinni and I are brainstorming ideas for Ellipses and we think contemporary romance/fiction is someplace we should be exploring. Thoughts on this, anyone? Several of our lines are geared towards niche markets, so we’d really like to target

Comments

[lurkrealclose]

For romance I read historical and time travel, mostly. Catherine Coulter is a favorite.

[mlsky]

Ohh. Love Catherine Coutler. She's got some great contemporary/suspense, too. I haven't read time travel for a while. Should pick up a few and get familiar again.

What appeals the most to you with time travel? Going back to a historical era, or having someone from history jump forward?

Thanks for responding!

[lurkrealclose]

Both are good, although I prefer going back to a historical era. I like the modern woman to be the "fish out of water". I also like it when there is some sort of "star crossed lovers" thing going on. Like, the woman's ancestor was in love with the man, but she died young, so the woman takes her place/is her in a future life.

You know?

[adafrog]

Don't like romance very much. If it's subtle, then maybe.
I like apocafic, zombies, technology, sometimes groups of people working together.

[mlsky]

Ohh. I like apocafic. Bonus if it's got some romance. :D With regards to technology, do you like a scenario where the technology runs amok, or something different? I'd be very interested to discuss. :D

Thanks for responding!

[adafrog]

hmmm....I don't mind when technology runs amok. Although I think I like it better when it throws a wrench in the system vs technology itself acting against the heroes. Not sure.
I do like it, however, when technology is sentient and helps the heroes, or at least interacts with them on some level (but not against them). For example Atlantis is sentient and helps John or Rodney find ZPMs. Or Enterprise is sentient, and talks to Kirk on occasion. I like ships when they're sentient; or heck, even like with Moira, where they're actually alive.

That's my off the cuff answer. :)

[spinkkitty]

i like historical, crime/mystery, fantasy, some sci fi, YA, i like romance wound into the main plot rather than mills and boony type romance centric stories. I enjoy chick lit romance for a light read.

[mlsky]

I'd love to discuss your thoughts on having the romance woven into the plot as opposed to the central focus a la mills and boon, harlequin, etc., because I tend to agree and don't really find the category (M&B, Harlequin) romances all that appealing. In my case, I find them almost too formulaic, but sometimes I'll stumble over some that take me by surprise. Sadly, not as often as I'd like hence the reason I rarely read them anymore. :(

Do you find the same? Or does something else make them blah?

Thank you for responding!

[spinkkitty]

I can't say i've ever actually read a whole M&B/Harlequin (mostly just read the naughty bits out loud in a silly voice for the amusement of others) but I guess I meant that they (seem to be) predictable and formulaic. I like a well written, gripping story with compelling characters. For some reason i generally prefer a female protoganist - romance/UST becoming RST thrown in is icing :)

Michelle M Ruiz

[anonymous]

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