What percent of readers appreciate the subtle things - Characters' Strength, Plo

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   anusha15posted 11 years ago

   What percent of readers appreciate the subtle things - Characters' Strength, Plot development etc.?
   
   A thoroughly developed plot, Strong characters which connect instantly and many other things make us like what we read. But how many of the readers, do you think, consciously appreciate the plot and characters? In other words, how many people actually look beyond the words, and try to take a glimpse into the author's mind?

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2. 82

   Carole Anzollettiposted 11 years ago

   Being an author of work that provides several ways of understanding for multiple levels of readers, I believe that the sole reason people pick up anything to read is to be enlightened in one way or another. 
   
   Being an illustrator I demonstrate an insane and painful approach to the art of fine detail and being capable of drawing what I cannot express in words is something that can touch people in a different way. 
   
   That being said, I, for one, am extremely interested in glimpsing into the authors mind - say for example - that of Stephen King.  His work made me want to know what he was like as a child, what he went through as an adult and the struggles and lifestyles he had.  I have read his book "On Writing" and it is an incredible piece of work that has allowed me to love him more than I thought I could. 
   
   It is so interesting to know where an author comes from, and to be able to identify our similarities as well as our talents to spin pure magic with our words creates an important link that keeps us connected.  To know the author well, and to know that there is a kindred human spirit typing those stories alongside us only enriches the experience of a piece of work.
   
   The two arts, writing and illustrating are closely linked for me.  Both avenues are intensive channels of expression that in no way could I achieve through my speech. 
   
   I think that a very high percentage of readers are searching for clues and plots and secrets as well as looking for a kindred personality within the words of a story (and a piece of art for that matter) and that when provided, you create a following of readers that loves to look forward to your style.  It creates a sense of escapism that they cannot access in their "real life" and comes to be a portal of safety, imagination and possiblities that take them into places and personalities they would otherwise never meet.
   
   Hopefully this answer not only illuminates my personal opinion on plot and characters but opens the way for others to validate their feelings on the importance of the two as well!
   
   Love this question!
   Have a great day

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      anusha15posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      WoW! That was a great answer You had so much, and such valuable insights/opinions to share, that I was wondering why you didn't write a hub about it. Glad you liked the question. Didn't meet many who're interested in the hard work, but I am.

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      Carole Anzollettiposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Dearest anusha15  ~ now perhaps I will!  Thank you for the lovely idea and inspiration to do so The hard work is very rewarding, and as John Sarkis says below, the internet indeed influences a shorter attention span these days.  Thoughts galore!

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   John Sarkisposted 11 years ago

   I was speaking with a friend of mine this past Saturday, who happens to be a high school English Professor.  He was telling me how hard it is for young people to stay focus.  Since the dawning of the internet, young adults like quick sentences and paragraphs and don't like works of literature to be too involved or they'll drop it right away.  He was telling me that works by Melville and James Joyce are almost impossible to teach nowadays. 
   
   All said, I believe there are many young people today who are very insightful and intuitive and just don't have the right teacher to tend to their intellectual needs anymore.  With financial cuts in the art world and all sorts of other things taking place these days it's a near miracle that young adults are still interested in the works of the great masters!...

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   randslamposted 11 years ago

   If the reader is of any sort of thinking person...all of them appreciate the links, the way the author thinks, the double entendres, the word play...the dialogue...the description...hell, all five "D"s.

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   Old Empresarioposted 11 years ago

   Well, I don't really think anyone bothers to read books to get into the author's mind any more than they watch movies to get into the director's mind. I think people enjoy books that they find interesting for various reasons. I think the biggest mistake new authors make these days is placing too much stock in plot. They try to get too creative with it. The best novels ever written had plots that were sort of in the background. It's the dialogue and ideas in the forefront that interest people. The characters and the plot are secondary.

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      anusha15posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If this were a debate of what should be done, probably we'd been on different sides, but you're right, that's what most of the people do. I really like your answer. And I agree with your background forefront concept too

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