tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post7802882494269324356..comments2023-06-02T08:12:31.941-05:00Comments on SPIRE REVIEWS: My Favorite Things ...Brenda S. Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-16449808212009454392011-02-19T13:58:26.281-06:002011-02-19T13:58:26.281-06:00Thanks for the book suggestion, Brenda. I checked ...Thanks for the book suggestion, Brenda. I checked out Deborah's site and like the look of her books. I'll definitely check them out. :-)Kavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719229222267994577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-13629745594559188002011-02-19T11:48:45.135-06:002011-02-19T11:48:45.135-06:00Kav, I like a romantic element too. I prefer that ...Kav, I like a romantic element too. I prefer that isn't the crux of the story, but I love when authors show 2 characters beginning that slow journey into love and I particularly like it when that love grows organically from the characters getting to know each other.<br /><br />And I should know you'd love books with animals. Have you read Deborah Vogts books at all? Her books have horses and a sweet love story.<br /><br />You know, that's a very interesting topic for a blog: best CBA books with animals. I'd love to see where you could take that, Kav.Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-87883142019121418372011-02-19T11:04:21.616-06:002011-02-19T11:04:21.616-06:00Oh -- I missed a fun discussion!!! I'd have t...Oh -- I missed a fun discussion!!! I'd have to agree with Voice being all important. I want to open a book and just fall into another world because the words are that well-crafted. And there can be such a variety in the 'sound' of that voice too. I'm really open that way.<br /><br />BUT<br /><br />I have to admit that I love romance and really look for that element in the books I read.<br /><br />AND<br /><br />I love it when there's a dog in the story. LOL. Or a cat. Or animals in general. Yes, I know I'm crazy and no that isn't a must-have criteria...but it's a bonus when it comes along.Kavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719229222267994577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-6948064993721534002011-02-08T11:05:11.418-06:002011-02-08T11:05:11.418-06:00Nicole, I do agree those readers are out there, bu...Nicole, I do agree those readers are out there, but probably not in the marketing subset the publishers are focusing on.<br /><br />Once again that begs the question, how do we reach the Christian who doesn't typically read Christian fiction? Maybe someday someone will have a good answer.Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-71025378784395848542011-02-08T10:19:03.207-06:002011-02-08T10:19:03.207-06:00"I'm so glad you like to write male prota..."I'm so glad you like to write male protagonists too. Maybe someday we'll convince more readers what a wonderful perspective that is."<br /><br />Brenda, I'm convinced there are plenty of us out here. It's the publishers that aren't convinced. They need to get up to speed. They allow the opinions of the few to dominate "the rules".Nicolehttp://hopeofglory.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-42958872433750751242011-02-07T16:37:47.612-06:002011-02-07T16:37:47.612-06:00Karen - I think it depends on my mood if I want an...Karen - I think it depends on my mood if I want an "escape" book or not. Right now I'm reading a pretty heady novel, so I'm looking forward to reading something lighter next.<br /><br />I don't really need a happy ending, but hope. I'm with you in regard to those "bummer" books, where, when you put them down you feel depressed. My book club tends to choose that kind too. I want to have some sense of hope when I complete a book.Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-17310601784788770972011-02-07T16:33:46.071-06:002011-02-07T16:33:46.071-06:00Lori - Voice is so important. Just like with music...Lori - Voice is so important. Just like with music, if I don't care for the singer's voice, it's not going to matter if they're hitting the right notes or doing everything technically right. The same can be said for books. It usually has nothing to do with what rules, but whether the writer's prose flows with the story they're telling.<br /><br />I'm so glad you like to write male protagonists too. Maybe someday we'll convince more readers what a wonderful perspective that is.Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-892365232522385042011-02-07T15:21:58.523-06:002011-02-07T15:21:58.523-06:00You know me...I like a happy ending! For me, read...You know me...I like a happy ending! For me, reading is an "escape"...I can take some realism as long as it gets resolved. (I didn't last long in my book club because of all the "bummer" books that they liked to read.)RKO Ideas Galore (by Karen)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13827009006265471502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-2443997456022104682011-02-07T14:40:57.938-06:002011-02-07T14:40:57.938-06:00Voice is important if I'm going to really like...Voice is important if I'm going to really like a book, and just as hard to pin down and define what about a voice is going to appeal to me as is the chemistry that happens between two people when they meet. It's unexpected, it's unique, it might be wildly passionate or merely friendly. Voice has something to do with your first point, I think, that sense of rhythm and music in the prose, in how the character relates his or her story. <br /><br />I also like to read a male protagonist. I like to write them too, and have to struggle hard not to let them dominate my stories. Isn't that just like a man? ;)Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-83362003134279956632011-02-07T12:33:29.813-06:002011-02-07T12:33:29.813-06:00Dawn - characters do have to have a strength about...Dawn - characters do have to have a strength about them. I especially love the underdog who overcomes adversity.Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-86669260817520938592011-02-07T12:22:52.957-06:002011-02-07T12:22:52.957-06:00I like strong characters. I can't read wimpy o...I like strong characters. I can't read wimpy ones. Being self conscious all the time is unrealistic. Even the most insecure of us has some bravado somewhere. I don't like them. <br /><br />I love Mary Connealy's characters. I root for them from the first word.Dawn Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05073540046415043743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-16906601799794288672011-02-07T11:32:54.918-06:002011-02-07T11:32:54.918-06:00Nicole, good additions. I love a unique voice. (Se...Nicole, good additions. I love a unique voice. (See that fits in with the musical theme.) Deep characters & realistic dialogue are musts.<br /><br />And true, the prose has to fit the story & enhance it. Vince Flynn with flowery prose would be so wrong. He needs the staccato writing style. But Athol Dickson? Poetry fits him.Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-46390401445202221902011-02-07T11:23:36.410-06:002011-02-07T11:23:36.410-06:00I know, Lorna. It's a not-so-well-kept secret...I know, Lorna. It's a not-so-well-kept secret of mine. ;)Brenda S. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03564745973330961790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-26571429005118860372011-02-07T11:11:19.507-06:002011-02-07T11:11:19.507-06:00I guess I would have to say the voice. I know: ind...I guess I would have to say the voice. I know: indefinable. I enjoy novels with different styles, and, frankly, cleanly written with no "rules" broken reads boring to this writer/reader. Characters I can get lost in makes for a meaningful read to me. Real dialogue. I, too, love lovely prose but only if it works for the deepening of story, not just for showing off. The unique rhythm of words that fits with the story told makes for a favorite.Nicolehttp://hopeofglory.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5833943568870526407.post-35101090113384948402011-02-07T10:54:42.520-06:002011-02-07T10:54:42.520-06:00A male protagonist, huh? I never would have guesse...A male protagonist, huh? I never would have guessed. ;)<br /><br />I do love truly musical prose or even a few lines here and there that take my breah away. And complex story lines--a must.Lornahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09658473250718768593noreply@blogger.com