I just finished a contemporary YA that I really enjoyed.
The writing wasn’t great; there were too many summaries of the main character’s problems.
A kind of "I’m facing X, Y, Z now, and how will I continue?" sort of thing.
Over and over.
And the plot felt a bit contrived.
Yet I found myself eager to continue reading.
And I’ve decided it was due to the main character’s voice.
She’s funny and loyal, and has a genuineness about her.
I realize this isn’t any news flash since editors and agents
are always talking about the importance of voice.
We all know Voice is vital to a story.
But it was interesting to realize how much I’ll overlook if I’m engaged by the narrative.
What’s the must-have element for you to keep reading a less-than-perfect book?
Tracy Abell 
It must have either a super-engaging plot or fantastic voice.
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I’ve been pondering on all this today and while I can’t remember the actual title, I know there was a book that was quite poorly written but the plot sucked me in so I kept on reading. I did feel a bit used by the end, though. If that makes any sense. So I guess I’m with you on the super-engaging plot or fantastic voice.
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About a month ago, I read a tween book which was not well-written — but the plot was definitely engaging, and I read all the way through because I had to know how it ended. I think it’s rare to find a plot that engaging, however.
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I agree about the rarity. It’s gotta be something special to get me past weak characterization or writing, etc.
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For me, it’s rarely about plot but maybe sometimes it is.
I’d say voice is the most important element.
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I think voice keeps me reading more than plot, too. Although plot has kept me reading before. And then there are the train wrecks I can’t stop reading just because they’re so amazingly bad.
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For me, it’s rarely about plot but maybe sometimes it is.
I’d say voice is the most important element.
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Voice is important. There must be an interesting plot (unless I’m reading literary adult fiction, and even then I like action).
But the most important thing for me is a sympathetic main character. If I don’t like him or her, no amount of voice or action will keep me reading.
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Yes! I didn’t think about this but it’s really true. If I don’t like a character, I am NOT going to stick around to find out how life turns out for her. I wonder if this isn’t the biggest factor in the majority of reading habits. And it’s so funny it didn’t pop into my head when I started thinking about this whole issue, even though likability makes a huge difference in whether I’ll finish a book or not. Huh.
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Voice is important. There must be an interesting plot (unless I’m reading literary adult fiction, and even then I like action).
But the most important thing for me is a sympathetic main character. If I don’t like him or her, no amount of voice or action will keep me reading.
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Voice and character all the way.
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Yep, voice and character are essential. Good thing you excel at both!
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Yeah, now I just need to learn how to tell a story.
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Stop it already. You’re the Story Mistress. (or something like that…)
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No. I am the spaghetti mistress.
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