Susan’s answer to “What do consider a good storyline?” > Likes and Comments

I like your answer, Susan. People read stories to be immersed in another world, whether it's supernatural, science fiction, a detective story, or even a straight drama. They don't read for great writing NECESSARILY, but certainly if the writing is poor, that will stop a reader dead in his tracks.

Some people read in a single genre and that's fine with them. Others, like me, read in all genres. In one year, I'll read classic fiction, thrillers, sci-fi, memoirs, in English and in French.

If you hit that sweet spot of keeping people reading, wanting to know what happens next, and pacing the story in such a way that it's a pleasurable experience to the reader, then you've succeeded. I recall reading a very negative review of Wool (Hugh Howey's pièce de résistance) that went through and excoriated every awkward phrase and sentence, every stilted piece of dialogue--all to 'prove' that it was a bad book. I find those kinds of reviews disingenuous because they leave out the WHOLE reason people love stories.

A friend of mine ripped Interstellar to shreds because of all the wonky science in it. Well, yeah, but that's where the word fiction in science fiction kicks in. I was totally immersed in that story. Frankly, I didn't care whether it was 100% accurate because I was so 'in' it that the actual existence of wormholes didn't matter one whit to me.

Bottom line: if the story sucks me in and I care about the characters, then there is a lot of wiggle room I'll accept.

Yes, I'm with you. Well put! Although I didn't like Interstellar, sorry. I thought it was just too long and drawn out.

That's OK, because stories are so personal. Some people respond to them, and others don't. I love long novels and slow, deliberate plots. I think nothing of immersing myself in a novel of 700 pages or more. I read The Brothers Karamazov early this year and was captivated throughout, whereas I know a lot of people would find it ponderous and dull.

Susan, your mum's answer is brilliant, I love it!

"Imagine what everyone else will write and then write something completely different."
Reminds of Toni Morrison's quote: "If there's a book you'd like to read and it hasn't been written, then you must write it."

Yes, something like that. You think it would be hard, especially for me. I see close to 180 films a year on screen and have read a lot of books, but I always try and find a different angle.

Wow, you really watch that many films every year? That is CRAZY!

Yep, and that's on screen. Some I miss, I watch on TV as well. I'm a mad cinephile, so have the dream job of getting to see any film I want for free.

That is a great dream.:)