Character, dialogue, plot, setting, bad words... I think these are some of the building blocks of story, but when it's pulled apart like that, when you're looking at these building blocks at that level, it's really hard to see what makes a story interesting and keeps us reading. What's the definition of a story? A character tries to achieve a worthwhile goal against opposition in an interesting place? Something like that. But I don't think just a character, a plot, or a setting typically does it without the rest of the parts.
I've had epic fantasies that were recommended to me where after I had read 100 or so pages, I stopped because the main character wasn't very interesting and didn't have anything that they seemed to be trying to achieve. My friend assured me that the magic system and the world building were really cool, but... I just don't get excited about setting very much. Anyway, for me, show me someone trying to achieve something, trying...
As to why we keep reading. I think some of it's a desire for meaning, for a world that makes sense, for wonder and beauty. Books and stories can do that. Instead of the daily grind of semi-meaningless random events, we get to see a sequence tied together by the main characters driving towards their goal.
So I guess for me, I would say the hook is someone trying to achieve something. The thing that keeps me reading is the promise that there is going to be a resolution, poetic justice, a climax where good wins and evil gets punished.
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mmmag
no subject
Date: 2015-01-05 02:08 am (UTC)I've had epic fantasies that were recommended to me where after I had read 100 or so pages, I stopped because the main character wasn't very interesting and didn't have anything that they seemed to be trying to achieve. My friend assured me that the magic system and the world building were really cool, but... I just don't get excited about setting very much. Anyway, for me, show me someone trying to achieve something, trying...
As to why we keep reading. I think some of it's a desire for meaning, for a world that makes sense, for wonder and beauty. Books and stories can do that. Instead of the daily grind of semi-meaningless random events, we get to see a sequence tied together by the main characters driving towards their goal.
So I guess for me, I would say the hook is someone trying to achieve something. The thing that keeps me reading is the promise that there is going to be a resolution, poetic justice, a climax where good wins and evil gets punished.