I have pretty eclectic tastes in reading, so I’m up for almost any genre or format. But there are some things that turn me on or off a book.
To start with turn offs, I read to be inspired or entertained, not to be brought down. So I don’t like it when protagonists are killed off or the book ends in total devastation. I also won’t read about women or children in great danger—my imagination is too vivid, and I get enough nightmares without that kind of stimulation. I admire people who can write harrowing suspense, but I’m not your target audience.
On the other hand, there are many genres I love to read. I often dip into nonfiction history and biography. I enjoy novels that entertain me and teach me something, so give me your historical fiction or cozy mysteries about interesting people, places and professions. I also love romance, and books about teens finding their place in the world. And as a retired English teacher, classics and spin offs on Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, or other literature favorites will catch my attention. I also want well-developed characters that feel real (at least on some level). Authors, if I love your characters, I’ll follow you through any of your books!
Knowing my preferences, it’s no surprise that my current writing project is a young adult romance series set in Alaska during World War II including riffs on Shakespeare plays. In the future, I hope to share it with readers who have similar tastes in reading!
Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for almost fifty years. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
6 comments:
I read most genres except Erotica. Your young adult series sounds really interesting. WWII seems very popular in fiction books of all genres right now. Nice post.
Thanks, Diana! Hope you're finding fun things to read this summer.
I also read to be inspired and/or entertained, Lynn! I'm with you there 100%.
Your new book sounds really good!
Thanks, Sarah. Happy reading!
Like you, I am an eclectic reader. I read to be inspired and to learn new things. I do read, and write women or children in jeopardy because it is so common in the real world and I want to see them overcome the odds. It gives me hope. However, even when I write it don't show the worst of whatever might happen. Instead, I show the post trauma effects. I don't want to write or read a scene that actually shows abuse. I know, fine line, but then we are all different.
I do like to be entertained but the story also needs to have realistic characters--even if it's a fantastical world or SF I still want to bond with, empathize with the characters. So, the problems they encounter need to feel real to me--at least probable given their world and rules and situation.
Your new series definitely sounds interesting. WWII has so much to offer both in settings and in choices. Adding the Shakespeare element sounds like a great way to bring in tropes that everyone will recognize and give you an interesting intersection to of ideas and challenges to put within the context of WWII. I'll keep a look out for it.
Thanks, Maggie. I appreciate the fact you don't write the graphic parts--good for you!
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