What do you prefer in a Novel?

[2179]

if you have a story please put memes or funny stuff in it the reader always needs a good laugh

Meme? In a novel? Are you kidding me, buddy? I mean, if he gonna make a joke inside his book, the joke will be made by the characters not the writer. Unless said book and character is breaking the 4th wall itself, meme ain't gonna work, dude.

 

[Tho]

@Earth2543, he's just spamming and being annoying! @Spinnerweb, sorry, but explain to him how he shouldn't post irrelevant things or something that doesn't fit the thread because I'm too lazy to!

 

[18]

@Earth2543, he's just spamming and being annoying! @Spinnerweb, sorry, but explain to him how he shouldn't post irrelevant things or something that doesn't fit the thread because I'm too lazy to!

Technically even recommending memes in a book is an idea pitched to the OP, so it isn't irrelevant per se. A bad idea, yes, but not spam in itself.

 

[oshul]

Technically even recommending memes in a book is an idea pitched to the OP, so it isn't irrelevant per se. A bad idea, yes, but not spam in itself.

thank you @Spinnerweb

 

[Robyn]

@Earth2543, he's just spamming and being annoying! @Spinnerweb, sorry, but explain to him how he shouldn't post irrelevant things or something that doesn't fit the thread because I'm too lazy to!

Considering "memes" themselves can be mentioned in a novel, and to a degree, created, I believe it can be completely relevant, granted the type of book that the author is writing. Although, my book definitely won't have that sort of thing in it, but I thank you for the input, @oshul, however it would be best to follow the direct topics of the thread.

 

[BetterBushyBurmyBureau]

1. In chapter one I like to see a good description of the setting. This should then shift to your main character or really anything. I've read books where they go straight into a flashback at the beginning as a way to foreshadow the ending.
2. Do I like Cliffhangers?
No. Its really over done at this point. I prefer a concise ending that tells the reader to look forward to what is next.
3. Too many illnesses/stereotypes?
I think illnesses should be used very sparingly or else the reader will get annoyed at you using an illness as a crutch to create adversity in your characters lives. Instead focus more on what character flaws they have, what types of morals they struggle with, and personal feelings. Stereotypes are almost imposssible to not create since people have done every character type since humans started writing. To avoid stereotypes you should develop a character that is very down to earth. A believable character that the reader can connect with.
4. Character development over action sequences?
You should always put character development over everything else. People dont read for the action sequences. We have movies for that. People like to read about the characters and how those characters face problems in the plot.
5. Msculine or Feminine?
It really shouldn't matter. As long as the character is well written and fleshed out I'll read about em.
6.Time Travel?
Time Travel in any sort of narrative is hard to pull off because of potential loop holes in the plot. For instance, if they could time travel and fix everything then the story the reader has read is essentially pointless. Any sort of time travel should have strict rules and those rules should be well established to the reader.
7. Plot Twists are great. Just don't make them so obvious that the reader can spot them by tjme they get through half of the story.
8.Multiple POVs.
I don't mind them. As long as I can tell when the POVs switch then they're fine.
9. Flashbacks?
Yes. Anything that can help the story come together is good in my opinion.
10. Yeah, sure. Ill look forward to it.

 

[MindzEye]

Users spamming the post-counts just to joke around aside, I have a few needs.

1. I like a bit to learn about the character(s) or the world on the first chapter. I don't need someone to hold my hand but I'd like to know a little about these things I'll be reading about for the next hundred-or-so pages. Y'know, get introduced. That said, some things are better left unknown until later, y'know, save the meat of the story until later.
2. Overuse of anything tends to get dubious. I enjoy a creatively placed cliff-hanger as much as the next guy, but only so many times. Be advised that cliff-hangers are an art, not a science.
3. If it borders on the tired and cartoony overuse of stereotypes, it takes away any closeness I have to the situation. However, everyone has some kinda bias about something, and sometimes a stereotype emerges after all. If it sounds too perfect, I ain't buying it. Some are fine, just try not to fall into a predictable rut with your characters' conditions and situations.
4. Hey, whatever you can dish out, I'll take it. I've read both kinds and find them equal in enjoyment.
5. Again, I've read both kinds and enjoy them equally. As long as the character has something interesting to say or do, I'm in.
6. Nah but I don't read it. Not to say I won't read yours that is.
7. Plots have that beautiful liquidity of changing states regularly overtime. I don't like the status quo but I don't want my head to spin either. Try to find that balance of plot-twisting that's not too hot, not too cold.
8. As one who's read multiple POVs in a book, I quite enjoy them. When there's more than one hand in the pot things get interesting. Just don't confuse the reader: methods abound from one to another author on how to write in other POVs in the same story.
9. Flashbacks are just one way to tell the story. Another more cryptic way is to have the character(s) uncover evidence of the past, y'know? Newspaper trimmings and written messages, forensic studies and suspicious marks... Have them learn at the same pace as the reader what happened and what's going on. That's just my suggestion anyway.
10. All on you man. I look forward to it if you decide to post it all here.

Also, @oshul, there's a thing I like to call poster's etiquette, and the first step is to understand what the first post in the thread says before posting. Not trying to be mean, just telling ya to look out. It pays to be polite y'know.

 

[PersonSP]

now we know why you rarely post anything

Also, I rarely finish/revise my stories so my computer is crammed with drafts. xD But my perfectionism keeps me from posting those too, sorry.

 

[2179]

Also, I rarely finish/revise my stories so my computer is crammed with drafts. xD But my perfectionism keeps me from posting those too, sorry.

Its fine

 

[MindzEye]

Also, I rarely finish/revise my stories so my computer is crammed with drafts. xD But my perfectionism keeps me from posting those too, sorry.

You and me both. '~'

 

[pandaneko]

Its fine

What anime that is???

 

[2179]

What anime that is???

What anime?

 

[pandaneko]

The gif with the blue haired girl

What anime?

 

[Tho]

The gif with the blue haired girl

Nichijou, pretty good but tiring anime. Next time though, don't ask these things in threads and at least either PM the person or find them in the sb.