What makes a story tick? Part1 page1

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Uthra

@Viji79

Inactive

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

#11

I am a research scientist. Why did I say this? Just to make clear that I have very little reading experience. I have read very few classics. I am not aware of the different genres of writing.

Having said that, the first thing that attracts me to read a story is the writing style. I am very sensitive to the language and grammar. I like it when the wirter keeps the language less complicated and well readable. I have found myself abandon stories, that have passed this first step of approval, because of lack of consistency in the style in subsequent updates, which reflects lack of originality (read plagiarism).

I have this habit of putting faces to the characters I read. I visualize each and every scene and dialogue. If the writer is able to bring out the feel of visualizing the story, then I am into reading it.

I totally agree that there has to be a good story to tell. I have been amazed at the skills of some of the awesome writers on this forum who have this knack of writing many updates which have things reflected in later episodes as repurcussions of some happening in the earlier episodes, which means that they have not written the story just as it came to their minds but that they thought about the plot very well in advance. I appreciate and cherish such vision.

I like when the writer is able to bring out the true emotions of the characters. I have laughed with NK-Khushi is some rom-coms, I have cried with Khushi when she has been humiliated by the monster, that is Arnav. And V, I have felt my stomach churn when Khushi says, "Arnav, this is for you".

I love it when the characters are not superficial and not artificial.

So these are the things which make a story readable to me.

I am glad you started this topic and this is indeed a great one, as readers, we also need to pick good stories and I hope this would help in that.

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Sona

@mistyrains

Dazzler

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

#12

I'm glad you made this post, thank you Vandu :)

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aarrsshhii

@aarrsshhii

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

#13

Yes.. agreed... sometimes even if d wrds r nt woven in perfctly too i read bcz of d story... story is d essence...

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segad

@segad

Inactive

Posted: 12 years ago

#14

if the story is there i will even overlook flaws in presentation.

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Jalebi Jane

@JalebiJane

Inactive

+ 7

Posted: 12 years ago

#15

I suggest it depends on the genre we are attracted to.

The OS and SS should by definition have a definite beginning, middle and end----but there are some FFs that I would be happy to read forever, like a well-made TV serial---because I have fallen in love with how that writer has sketched their characters. In a TV serial the focus is more on creating compelling characters and following them through the highs/lows of life. There is a story but the arc is long. And, once in a while, the characters experience a significant crisis and then it resolves itself and for a while it is not high drama, but I still enjoy watching their little domestic problems because I love the character.

I'm articulating this badly but what I'm saying is that I read for character more than plot; and I'm attracted to serials because I like the never-endingness of it. And to some, never-endingness may translate to lack of story.

Thank you,

maya

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reallyhappy

@reallyhappy

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

#16

if i wud hav known ol dese r discussd in literary wrkshp..i wud hav attnded 1..4 sure..

thnxx 4 ..

i personally lykd it..

u shud hav a stry 2 strt wid..

d writer shud no..wt he's tryin 2 convey 2 his readers..

though its diff.2 stick 2 1 part..

bt wen u no wt u hav 2 write..it all cums out of its own..

d mind shud b opn ...shud luk around..take in wteva z happnin around u..

bring sum part of ur experience 2 it..

make it wondrsful..n presntable..

n ol dis cn hppn only if u no wt u hav strtd wid..n u no wt u hav 2 end wid..

thank yu 4 sharin..

wud lov if u share more..:):)😊😊😊

Edited by reallyhappy - 12 years ago

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Krishna

@Krishnaluv94

Rocker

Posted: 12 years ago

#17

Great topic. I completely agree. :)

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abavi

@abavi

Dazzler

+ 6

Posted: 12 years ago

#18

Thats very thoughtful of you to start a series like this... Looking forward to this series!

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Mariam

@Mariam.Ejaz

Navigator

+ 5

Posted: 12 years ago

#19

thankyou for sharing and starting such a discussion topic, it was much needed and is quite helpful!

i totally agree with the 1st point..

without a story you can't just drag it...and presentation does matters but not if the story is intriguing, i end up reading a story that catches my interest regardless of its presentation. yes good use of words adds to the spice of the story but it can be overlooked, somewhat!

Edited by Mariam.Ejaz - 12 years ago

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Jalebi Jane

@JalebiJane

Inactive

+ 7

Posted: 12 years ago

#20

Originally posted by: segad
if the story is there i will even overlook flaws in presentation.

Yes, to a degree.

We all read for different reasons. Some read to be told an interesting tale.

I read to be drawn into a world of the writer's creation. Good well-written stories make me forget my world for a few minutes, so when I reach the end, I almost feel I was lost in a daydream.

With some writing I'll begin to lose myself in a superb story, but multiple spelling errors and grammar errors and illegible text will yank me right out of that dream. If I'm constantly trying to figure out who is now speaking, is the "him" referring to the first male or second male, it creates a choppy reading experience. It is not seamless.

I'm speaking of multiple errors, not just one or two.

I'm not suggesting that only scholars should write, but some writers will state at the beginning of their piece, "this is crap but I thought I would share it" or "I didnt have time to proofread"---that doesn't show respect for the self, the work, nor the reader----what else is left? Good ideas, strong ideas deserve to be presented in the best way.

Granted, I am a stylist, so I have bought into the premise that presentation is always important, but I thought I would still share my perspective.

maya