Reading To Judge…
Some of you might know that it’s RITA judging time. Every year the Romance Writers of America sponsors two contests, the Golden Heart for not-yet-published authors, and the RITA for published works. The RITA is the “Academy Award” of our industry, intending to honor the best of the best of the previous year, in several categories.
Anyway…this is a peer-judged contest. Authors volunteer to judge a “panel” of entries, with books mixed from various categories. This year I’m judging eight books, from three different categories. That’s as specific as I’m going to get… 
I’ve found a couple of really good ones in the mix, which excites me. But I was mulling it over as I scored the books, trying to pinpoint why those particular books worked for me so well, when a couple of the others–just as competently written–didn’t.
I think for me it all has to come down to whether I am sucked into the story and drawn by the characters enough that the writing almost disappears. I don’t notice the bad (unless it’s really bad!) I don’t stop and admire the amazingly good. I’m one of those readers who just finds writing that distracts me from the story…distracting!
I think that’s why I’m not an Oprah book fan. If I’m pausing every paragraph to admire the way the words are put together, that means I’m not thoroughly engaged by the story. Which, in my opinion, means the book–no matter how well written–doesn’t entirely work for me.
So, I’m wondering, what is it that makes a book a winner for you? Do the beautiful words and images matter? Is a beautifully written book as important to you as one that tells a terrific story? Since I consider myself a storytell rather than a wordsmith, I really would like to know how the reader-on-the-street fells about this!
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The winner of Jane Porter’s Flirting with Forty is Comment #2 Heather Harper! Congrats, Heather! Email me at: carlyphillips @ mac.com (no spaces) with your snail mail info and I’ll send it to Jane!
Interesting question, Leslie. I am also not fit for Oprah’s bookclub, but that’s more because I don’t really care for some of her choices. I just couldn’t find anything about them I enjoyed, and as interesting as some of them may be, I couldn’t continue reading. Oh well.
Anyway, I love books that truly help me escape, that get me caught up in the story so much that I don’t really notice it. To me, when I read, and I am breezing through the story, all else fades away. I don’t stop to admire the way the words flow either. To me, if I’m taken out of the story, whether it’s a romance with two people falling in love or “The DaVinci Code” with lots of clues and travel and adventure, I don’t want to notice the writing.
Many have said “The DaVinci Code” is a clunky, simplified book, and were not impressed. I loved this book. I didn’t care about the writing - didn’t even notice it was clunky. I loved the mystery and was fascinated by the historical and religious references while at the same time accepting it was a work of fiction and not to be confused with my own beliefs, and I went along for the ride. It was a wonderful read, and that’s how a book should be, where I’m so caught up in it, the little things are not even noticeable.
Comment by Stacy ~ — March 4, 2008 @ 6:57 am
I think it’s even harder as a writer to escape into a book, so when I do, I know it’s a good book. Same with the RITA books I judged. Some had me banging my head asking, why didn’t someone tell them this is a) contrived or b) heroine/hero is acting such and such way. But two in particular had me buying older books by the author. That’s a sign of a good writer. Also, if I kept turning pages … couldn’t put it down DESPITE flaws I could overlook b/c something drew me … same thing. Good book!
Comment by Carly — March 4, 2008 @ 7:17 am
I want to be pulled into the story. When the story just pulls you in, you no longer think about what else is going on around you. I’ve noticed that if I’m having to work to read a book, I’ll start looking for mistakes in the book. I used to make myself read all of any book I started. Now I give myself 5-7 chapters and if I don’t like it, I put it down and pick another book. I read for enjoyment, so I really don’t want to have to work to enjoy what I’m reading. BTW, I loved “The DaVinci Code” too. The book was fast paced and a very fast and enjoyable read.
I too am not a big fan of the “Oprah Book Club” picks. I have read a few of her choices, but only because I had read some before she sharted the club. I liked when she started her classic book picks, but she lost me when she began making a statement with her book club picks. Of course, if she has gotten people reading, then at least one great thing has come from her bookclub.
Comment by Liza — March 4, 2008 @ 7:46 am
I also read for enjoyment and want a good story. I cringe when I see co-workers with their pencils and sticky notes stopping to make little comments while reading. I can’t do that- unless it’s a text book.
As for Oprah’s book club- ick. She hasn’t come up with one I would read yet. Although the new one- The Good Earth or whatever it is- has been selling like hotcakes. We can’t keep it in. Of course, just what we need is someone else telling everyone else how to live their life.
Carly- How’s the puppies??
Comment by ev — March 4, 2008 @ 8:24 am
I should say I absolutely adore Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, but read it long before she picked it. Ditto Steinbeck’s East of Eden…long before she picked it.
Comment by Leslie — March 4, 2008 @ 8:51 am
I want a good story. I read to escape and if I have to think about every detail I loose interest. I want to read the story that the author has me personally connected with the characters and admiring the scenery without having to think about it.
Comment by Patty L. — March 4, 2008 @ 9:21 am
That’s what I think is interesting about the BLAZE series…I have not been reading ‘romance books’ for that long. I find some of the BLAZE books to be
and I would check out the author more (or that the writing is so-so, but the story is good and compensates for the writing). Some of the writing and stories are ick. I always think to myself, “thank goodness I only read one of their books”. 
Of course, it is never a plotmonkey book 
Comment by katie — March 4, 2008 @ 10:13 am
So, I’m wondering, what is it that makes a book a winner for you? Do the beautiful words and images matter? Is a beautifully written book as important to you as one that tells a terrific story? Since I consider myself a storytell rather than a wordsmith, I really would like to know how the reader-on-the-street fells about this!
Wonderful questions here Les…
First, like you, if I read a book and am sucked in, to the point where I am like a character in the book, it is well-written…I don’t like to be distracted by incorrect grammar, but sometimes some good books, like those that are ARCs can suck me in despite these problems since they are in the editing phase…
Beautiful words and images are a big draw for me sometimes…it all depends on the mood I am in, but it should not take away from the focus of the story…I feel that these things are important if, and only if they play a significant role in the unfolding of the plot…
I like well-written books, but I have encountered some recently…through a first look book club that are still in the editing phase that were excellent…I love a really good story too…as I said, if it doesn’t suck me in, then it won’t hold my interest, making it a no-go for me…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 4, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Simply stated I want a book that I can lose myself in the story.
Comment by Gigi — March 4, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
What everybody else said–I like a great story, and ideally good writing where I’m not distracted by how bad it is. Things need to hang together and make sense–I hate noticing mistakes or stuff that’s out of character or that sort of thing. But it doesn’t have to be every sentence is amazingly-gorgeous-prose–that can be a little distracting to me, too, as if the author took a bit too much time overthinking the whole thing. Boy, I sound hard to please!
Comment by Fedora — March 4, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
I think the books that really pull me in are the ones where the characters become real breathing people. Right now I’m disecting J.R. Ward’s Brotherhood books because I love them. I can’t put them down once I start and I really feel, out there somewhere, these brothers exist.
I took an editing class and she calls the elements that draw the reader out of the book “speedbumps.” They can be either bad grammer, something that seems contrived or forced, something the character does that is so out of character it jerks you out of the story. I can forgive a few of these “speedbumps” but if there are more bumps than smooth open highway then I usually will stop reading the book and go on to something that I enjoy more. Like someone else said, I read for enjoyment, I don’t want to have to work at reading!
Great question and I’ve enjoyed reading the responses.
Comment by Jodie — March 4, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
I enjoy the classics too, but not for everyday reading. I can also appreciate beautiful poetry but I probably have to reread it severa times for me to get the meaning. I like books that engage my mind and feelings without being overly complicated. Reading is a means of escape and sometimes I like my books to be light and funny.
Comment by Jane — March 4, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Jodie wrote: “J.R. Ward’s Brotherhood books because I love them. I can’t put them down once I start and I really feel, out there somewhere, these brothers exist.”
Jodie, I felt the same way as you did while I was reading these books…I felt like I knew them personally and was really offended whenever something happened to any of them and their women…I am about to reread them in anticipation of Phury’s book…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment by Paula R. — March 4, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
The books I read are for pure enjoyment! My list of favorite authors (all Plotmonkeys included) has expanded greatly since the Internet came into my home!! Books should keep me turning pages, make me laugh a little, maybe shed a tear or two & make me sigh with the HEA. I’ve only read one book from Oprah’s book club it was so depressing I’ve never tried another one. The books she picks are to serious, I want to be entertained, loose myself in the story & the characters. Even though I mostly read fiction & mostly romance I want the story to be believable on some level. I hope all this makes sense & is helpful to anyone writing or trying to write.
I do like that Oprah has gotten people to read, that is a good thing but I wish she would at least once in awhile pick something on the lighter side. Thanks for giving a chance to voice our opinions. 
Comment by Donna M — March 4, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Love light and fun…for right now. I am determined to read Jane Austen when I have a chance. Love the movies, just never read the books…. :fourturkeys:
Comment by katie — March 4, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
I want to feel like I’m in the story. I recently read a book that had a word key in the front because there were so many acronym’s.
I hate when I have to keep looking things up to understand what’s going on. I do love the classics weathering heights and jane eyre are two of my favorite books
Comment by erin — March 4, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Katie- one of my goals while I am out with my surgery is to read as many of the Austen books as I can. Now I just have to buy them and sneak them in the house and not on the credit card bill!!!
Comment by ev — March 4, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
I am a story girl. I want to be pulled into the story and not want to put the book down. That is a good book for me. I read to relax and escape the everyday stresses of life. I don’t want to have to think really hard, or heaven forbid, pull out the dictionary.
In my home reading=relaxation.
As an aside - Leslie, I recently read OWWN and absolutely loved it. Thanks for another great story.
Comment by Kelly H — March 4, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
The story has to totally draw me in! It has to envelop me, wind itself about me so that I am so
believing of the characters and their tale. It’s as if I am inside the novel alongside the characters.
Pat Cochran
Comment by Patricia Cochran — March 4, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
What makes a book a winner? The ability to suck me so deep into the story that I am oblivious to my surroundings.
Comment by Estella — March 4, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
ev….are you the one who works at Borders? I do NOT understand the reward program. And, I am a member of some survey thing, so I can get Borders Rewards dollars…i don’t get that, either. I am so stupid. Can you explain it?
Comment by katie — March 4, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
ev….I’d sneak you my copies, if I could (of Jane Austen).
Comment by katie — March 4, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
katie- email me your questions, it will be easier to explain that way.
bookwyrm217@aol.com
Comment by ev — March 4, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
Thanks so much Kelly–glad you liked OWWN!
And I’m so glad to hear everyone’s reading tastes mesh so much with mine. Story most important…words second!
Comment by Leslie — March 4, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
You know, I have never read Jane Austen! I read all the Georgette Heyer books years ago, and always loved the traditional Regencies. So I can’t believe I’ve never tried the one who started it all…will definitely remedy that one of these days!
Comment by Leslie — March 4, 2008 @ 11:03 pm