What
makes a compelling book? You know the kind. The one you can't put down, that
you read until three in the morning even though you have to get up for work at five.
A book that so captures your imagination you want to stay in that world after
the book ends to find out what comes next. The book you immediately reread to
see what you missed first time around. The book you wished you'd written.
A
few years ago, I considered writing Young Adult fiction. I had an idea for a story that
started as the early years in one of my character's life—how she got to be the
adult she is in one of my not-yet-published books. The story took on a life of
its own and is nothing like my original concept. Before writing, I knew I
needed to do market research. What did today's eleven-to-fourteen year olds read?
I was sure it was a lot different from what I read when I was that age. I
needed to read what was being published today. So, I asked my daughter who had
been teaching middle school language arts for several years and whose master's
degree is in children's literature. If anyone was up on what today's kids read,
it would be her. She gave me a list. What a list! She loaned me several and I started
working my way through the list. I found several fascinating books and authors
whose other books I would try.
But
something held me back from reading one book. I don't like reading about
violence—especially, violence to children. Even when the third book in the
series came out, I didn't understand all the hoop-la about it on writers' loops. Now, I do.
Never
mind all the books in my TBR pile, at Christmas I borrowed all three books from
my daughter. Last week, I finally started the first book. I couldn't put it
down. The book carried me away making me ignore my own work in progress, laundry, even
meals. Thank goodness for an understanding husband who threw in the wash and
made dinner. I read until my eyes became gritty. Double thank goodness, I had the
next two books. In three days, I read them all. I was stunned by how compelling
the series was.
Now
that I've tweaked your interest, you probably want to know which series it was.
The Hunger Games. Those of you who've read
the books are most likely rolling your eyes. Well, of course the books are compelling. What took you so long to see
what everyone else has?
My
original question still stands. What makes a book compelling? Is it the topic?
In this case, children fighting children to the death is still not compelling
to me. Triumph over adversity? Well, yes. But not enough. Is it the writing?
When I find a great book, I try to dissect it, to figure out what made it so
good. Inevitably, I'll start reading with intent to analyze and get so caught
up in a story I've read two, three, six times I forget I'm supposed to be
analyzing how the writer did it. Granted, I don't really like to analyze
stories. I like to be entertained. I can usually
tell you why a book isn't very good or, rather, why it didn't appeal to me.
But, to analyze character, plot, narrative, dialogue? It doesn't come easy for me. It
should if I want to be a better writer. With Suzanne Collins' books, I was
blown away. I didn't want to know how she did it. It's like watching a magic
show. When you know how the magician does it, something is lost. The
magic, if you will. Maybe I don't really want to know how Collins wrote such
compelling books. Maybe I just want to be entertained.
In
the early days of my writing career, I read some books and thought I could write
better than this. Pretty arrogant, right? Those books were published, mine
weren't. I've read fabulous books and thought if I try hard enough I can do
this. I have never read a book or series and thought I could never write
anything this good. Until now. That's rather humbling.
What
book(s) have you read that captivated you?
