Girls. What do you look for in a chick-lit novel?

Question

Hi, im currently writing a fiction novel aimed specifically at the young female market- you know the sort of fun book you read on the beach.
Can you tell me what elements you especially look for eg a strong romance, comedy etc?

thanks!

Answer 1

I like a strong female, one that can take care of herself. That plot goes that she finds herself in circumstances even she can not connive herself out of. I like a little humor. I like to find characters who are just that: characters, oddballs, endearingly so. I like the hero to be strong, capable. , one that does not take herself too seriously. She can be beautiful, or quirky, or have some physical flaws, or be an ugly duckling turned swan, and for the young girls, the hero loves her because she is not perfect.
I like the villain to stay hidden until the last part of the book. I hate it when I can figure out what happens in the first chapters.
Got to be a romance. Love it when they are both in love, but deny it, put it off, don't see that they are mfeo, love it when they hate each other and circumstances keep throwing them together..
To summarize, lots of plot twists and turns, lots of unrequited love, ugly ducklings that bag the hero, strong smart capable females will appeal to young females, it did when I was that age. Read Catherine Anderson, or Diana Galbadon good examples of strong, likable characters.

Answer 2

I like a strong heroine who can laugh at herself, good, strong drama, and romance is very definatly a plus. Comedy is good, as well, but my favorite Chick lits haven't had 100% happy endings. I really enjoyed "The Deep End of the Ocean", "The Nanny Diaries", "The Devil Wears Prada", Shopaholic series, etc.

Good luck, I hope you do well!

Answer 3

I look for writing that drags me into the story. Then I look for humor. Then I look for a woman who is not perfect. That is the point, after all. Her life sucks, the worse the better, at the start and the story makes some part of her life better. She needs to be someone realistic but someone you can root for. Good luck with your novel.

Answer 4

It is always nice to read about the "normal" girl getting the guy over the perfect/model type.

My 2 favorite examples of this are:
Sushi for Beginners - Marian Keyes
Can you Keep a Secret - Sophie Kinsella

Answer 5

I'm still female, but I don't suppose I count as young (I'm 35).

I think the books in that genre I like have a strong but still insecure (like stronger than she knows) heroine who doesn't have a lot of close girlfriends. (Probably because I don't.) It's like, if she has girlfriends to talk to, why doesn't she just talk to them instead of telling us everything? And she should be able to take care of herself but nevertheless the guy should be fabulously wealthy.

Answer 6

persons in book live and look like we and have stores which we also want feel.
persons in book live and look like we want and have situation like we. they are miss university, wear from armani, and they still simply to us! but that's worse option.

funny situations, but not too many.

good story! it can be romance s-f thriller but it must be good!

for beach maybe more facile, but not only for stupid people but good for main!

if it is romance- it couldn't be only love story! take some problems, travel, spies, or something clever than that!

and title&cover- a lot of books i don't buy and read becaus my brothers will make laught from me till my die.

good story!

Answer 7

There's enough of that dreck around. Why not write a good mystery, instead.

Answer 8

it has to have an unpredictable ending.