What do YOU like to see in a story?

[RavensQuill]

So, I'm coming up on my 6th year anniversary as both a writer, and I'm feeling a bit... introspective.

Up until very recently, I've been of the firm opinion that:

1. I am a fantasy writer, and I both enjoy and write well in that genre.
2. I write the stories that I want to write. Reader opinion is nice and very welcome, but I'm the one that makes the core decisions.
3. Romance and all those heavy feelings are something I suck at writing, and I was improving too slow to seriously consider adding it in.

However, recent stories, each with a new challenge against which I could sharpen my skills, has made me realize these points aren't as "set in stone" as I would have liked to believe. I'm good at fantasy, yes. But I've branched out a few times, and they were all welcomed (and loved) by my readers. Also, I've gotten pretty good at romance. (not to flex too much, but someone once told me they couldn't identify my gender from the smut scene I wrote. huge praise for me)

SO!

With just under 2 months until my sixth-year anniversary coming up, I'm gonna take a look at my style, my previous works, and what I like. There's just one piece of the formula missing. What do YOU like to see in a story?

Feel free to say literally anything you like. This is, at its heart, a reader survey. I'll also be asking the same questions in the RR forums, to gauge both sides. Feel free to share whatever you want. Anything goes, but expect occasional questions if I feel like I gotta clarify something o/

TL;DR - I've been writing for almost six years, and I want to hear what you like in a story. Anything goes!

 

[DeOwl]

No angst. And a happy ending.

Enough shit in this world as is right now

 

[RavensQuill]

No angst. And a happy ending.

Enough shit in this world as is right now

Very true. World's a bit fucked up, and I heavily buy into the happy fantasy avenue.

 

[corruption]

What do I like to see in a story?
Originality
Plot
Properly formed characters
No massive continuity holes!
No overly convoluted plot.
That is just off the top of my head!

 

[Dashio_Sumeragi]

Consistency. Some stories start strong, create a hook, but then end up fading into nothingness or become flat as an ironing board with nothing really happening.

 

[TinaMigarlo]

Consistency. Some stories start strong, create a hook, but then end up fading into nothingness or become flat as an ironing board with nothing really happening.

that happens in my honest opinion with total seat of the pants writing, or "pantsing".
a skeletal outline, just simple sentence fragment in a numbered list will control that.
each numbered line, a tiny reminder what that chapter's goal is.

I don't agree with "English teacher outlines", where you plan and construct every paragraphs and list topic sentences.
that's writing in a straight-jacket.
basically I recommend "pantsing" each chapter, but to the skeleton goal of the chapter.
you need room to breathe.

if you decide the story should go this other way once you're in the trenches typing? Fine, do it.

 

[Sylver]

Monster girls, romance and smut

Okay honest answer, just solid characters, a story that isn't hard to follow, and writing that evokes emotion and intrigue.

It doesn't have to be some never before seen spectacle. It could be something generic, so long as it's written well and delivers. Most of the popular works here and on Royal Road are Isekai and LitRPG. Just do something you like and make it entertaining.

 

[Anonjohn20]

What do YOU like to see in a story?

Futa smut! LOL

In all seriousness, my interests are simple. I'm mainly looking to read about relationships, connections, bonds, etc. If the interactions that MC has with those around him are well written, then I'm likely to enjoy it; I have read stories in genres I don't like because the characters and their interactions with others were written excellently. I don't really care much for action, but I understand how it can help enhance a story.

Furthermore, besides my interests, there are also some expectations. I absolutely demand narrative consistency. I want the story to be coherent; retcons and characters acting inconsistently with their thoughts and previous actions are what usually get me to quickly lose interest in a story.

 

[FreeKey]

Strong inner logic.
Narrative consistency.
Intriguing plot with unexpected turns and revelations. Mystery that eventually gets explained - or not, but is a satisfying way.
Character development.
Thought provoking topics. What does it mean to be human. Morally grey decisions, lesser evils, controversy, no clear black/white division.
Mature content, disturbing content, drama. I'm the dude who indulges in reading a story with dark themes and bad ending and then hates it for that.
Competent characters having to deal with challenging problems. Preferably not on saving worlds epic scale, but something that still matters.
Spicy romance.
Good humour (that's very subjective, obviously).
Originality in world-building.
Strong female characters.

 

[Eldoria]

What I seek from fiction is the authenticity of the emotional experience. If I read comedy, I want to laugh. If I read fantasy, I want to feel something magical. If I read SoL, I want to relax. This is the emotional experience.

 

[Wamba2K]

Characters liking each other. It seems obsolete, but I'm sick of characters that are constantly doing the cringe rivalry or tsundere bit. Especially in regards to romantic relationships. I get enemies to lovers, but can they at least like each other at some point?

 

[TinaMigarlo]

paragraphs would do for a start, among other things.
I recently peeked in on a new book.
first chapter, real paragraphs. My heart leaped like a gazelle.
I was starting to think, maybe I'll read a few more chapters even though this isn't my usual thing.
Chapter 2? Right back to single sentence paragraphs.
I felt like Charlie Brown, and Lucy pulled the football away at the last second.

 

[Emotica]

I like to see a true effort to be unique. Every ideas has been done, yes, but nothing makes me skip on a novel quicker than when it's simply trying to appeal to the algorithm. A book that's about Alpha werewolves, "but my Alpha werewolves are like super strong," is a big no from me. Odds are, even if you take the two wildest ideas you have and jam them into a book, the combo has probably been done, but it's not about actually having a 100% unique idea. I just think that if you write with the trends, you're probably getting to 1% originality at best, whereas if you really put some creative effort into an idea, you'd easily double that, at the very least. I'd sooner read a book about a hairless werewolf than an alpha werewolf. At least I've never seen a hairless werewolf novel, but I've seen literally thousands of regular ol' werewolf ones. It's not that I think writers should stay away from cliches and tropes, or that it's even possible, but if your cliches and tropes are on the cover or the first page in full force, then I feel like it's telling me everything I need to know. Intrigue me. Surprise me. Weird me out. Chasing trends gets you to a front page occasionally, but most of the cultural icons we have are icons because they dared to be different.


Too give a more simple answer though: I like strong female leads. It's less that I want a "girl power" story, and more that it's done so poorly so often, that it's still a ripe market for originality.

 

[LeslieLevendale]

So, I'm coming up on my 6th year anniversary as both a writer, and I'm feeling a bit... introspective.

Up until very recently, I've been of the firm opinion that:

1. I am a fantasy writer, and I both enjoy and write well in that genre.
2. I write the stories that I want to write. Reader opinion is nice and very welcome, but I'm the one that makes the core decisions.
3. Romance and all those heavy feelings are something I suck at writing, and I was improving too slow to seriously consider adding it in.

However, recent stories, each with a new challenge against which I could sharpen my skills, has made me realize these points aren't as "set in stone" as I would have liked to believe. I'm good at fantasy, yes. But I've branched out a few times, and they were all welcomed (and loved) by my readers. Also, I've gotten pretty good at romance. (not to flex too much, but someone once told me they couldn't identify my gender from the smut scene I wrote. huge praise for me)

SO!

With just under 2 months until my sixth-year anniversary coming up, I'm gonna take a look at my style, my previous works, and what I like. There's just one piece of the formula missing. What do YOU like to see in a story?

Feel free to say literally anything you like. This is, at its heart, a reader survey. I'll also be asking the same questions in the RR forums, to gauge both sides. Feel free to share whatever you want. Anything goes, but expect occasional questions if I feel like I gotta clarify something o/

TL;DR - I've been writing for almost six years, and I want to hear what you like in a story. Anything goes!

Six years? Congratulation.
I usually read romance rather than action. And I also right contemporary, character driven, slow-burn romances.
Having said all that, I admire all those writers here who can draft fast-spaced, cinematic action. I wouldn't be able to do that.
Anyway, I think we need all sort of genres here.
Happy writing and reading.
L
Structurally speaking, I like a story to have a setup, a bit with rising tensions, then a pinnacle, and last but not least a resolution.
Some of the stories here don't have resolution; lot of chapters but no ending. I don't say they are not good, they are just not my kind of books. So this is a preference rather than judgment.

No angst. And a happy ending.

Enough shit in this world as is right now

I'm with you on this. Yet, I don't mind if the story make me shed tears at some point if it gives me a happy ending.

paragraphs would do for a start, among other things.
I recently peeked in on a new book.
first chapter, real paragraphs. My heart leaped like a gazelle.
I was starting to think, maybe I'll read a few more chapters even though this isn't my usual thing.
Chapter 2? Right back to single sentence paragraphs.
I felt like Charlie Brown, and Lucy pulled the football away at the last second.

Real paragraphs, oh, I do like them.

That said, I think a one-sentence/-line paragraph has an important role, too. But it can only play that role well if it is strategically placed within longer paragraphs.

I can also tell you that I have seen books with single paragraph chapters. Very powerful, but only because all the other chapters were like 50–60 pages. And the brief nature of those chapters was meaningful.

 

[Bimbanana]

Consistent story logic
Consistent characters

I think those two are the keys

But then again i was only about to touch my sixth months.

I guess my list will grow when i touch six year like you

 

[Nevafrost]

Characters liking each other. It seems obsolete, but I'm sick of characters that are constantly doing the cringe rivalry or tsundere bit. Especially in regards to romantic relationships. I get enemies to lovers, but can they at least like each other at some point?

Or, the fact that they are actually on 'liking' term but they act hostile just for the sake of the plot. Give them the love and sweetness they deserve!!

 

[RavensQuill]

Consistency. Some stories start strong, create a hook, but then end up fading into nothingness or become flat as an ironing board with nothing really happening.

Good point. It's important for a story to keep up the challenge/motivation of characters. Hell, even just the activity levels.

What I seek from fiction is the authenticity of the emotional experience. If I read comedy, I want to laugh. If I read fantasy, I want to feel something magical. If I read SoL, I want to relax. This is the emotional experience.

Yeah, the emotions are the part that get through to the reader more often than anything else. That's a lesson I've been learning - slowly and the hard way, but learning - the longer I go on writing.

Also hello again, glad to see you're still around on the forums o7