A question for anyone who enjoys a good book...?

Question

Just curious as to what interests people...
For a MAIN character do you prefer a naive person who must learn from their mistakes vs. a wise person?

For fantasy stories do you prefer wand waving children kind of magic (like Harry Potter)or more serious 'realistic' magic like Wiccan and Pagan?

Do you like to see a happy ending, a sad ending, or a little of both?

Well, thanks in advance for satisfying my curiousity.

Oh, I forgot one! Sorry!
Also, do you like to see a strong heroine as the main character, a couragous, brave man, or both? Thanks again!

Answer 1

I don't think many authors can carry out a naive person very well; most books involving children as lead characters are more obnoxious than enjoyable. (I read primarily murder mysteries or legal thrillers, and I will not read a book where the main character has a child because that child will inevitably detract from the story.) I find wise people better characters, so long as they have their flaws and aren't superhuman in their intelligence.

A fantasy story, to me, is very fictional and not based in reality; thus, I would not enjoy a book based on real religions. I did enjoy the Harry Potter series, but it wouldn't necessarily have to be children in the lead role.

I like the main characters to be successful in their missions; that doesn't always mean the ending is happy, but you should feel glad that the characters succeeded. In thrillers, that usually means the ending is also sad because someone who was a lead or assisting character has died, lol.

I don't really have a preference as to whether the main character is male or female. Lincoln Rhyme is an awesome character, although he usually has a woman working with him. Kinsey Milhone operated solo, and she's probably the best female heroine out there. I suppose I'd rather have a duo, be it male/male, male/female, or female/female, just so their personalities can play off each other.

Answer 2

I agree, a naive person is difficult to do as, often, the reader will become annoyed with them. I like a naive character who learns and grows as the story progresses, as long as it's done right. A wise character can still be naive and a naive character can still be wise. I hate when I figure out wht's going out before the main character. I don't mean by reading about the villian's plans and watching to see how the heroes react, I mean when no such plans have been revealed and I still figure it out. Do I even make sense? I guess what I mean is this: try not to make your main character much wiser or more naive than your intended audience.

As for kids as magic weilders - I cringe at the thought. As an adult, for right or wrong, I find it hard to relate to a child character. I love reading Terry Brooks (a fantasy-fiction writer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_brooks). However, he often uses kids or teenagers to sens on quests. The problem with that is that when this 13 year old boy meets a 14 year old Rover (like a gypsy) girl and falls in love, I have a hard time believing it. I mean, he describes these kids as have an enduring forever deep love and I don't buy it. Sure, I was 13 and sure, I remember how that love felt at 13. But I also know how fleeting it was. When you use adults weilding magic and having these journeys you have fewer limitations. Kids really can't, or shouldn't, rather, drink, smoke, have sex, get on some amusement park rides, get into pubs/bars/clubs, talk back to adults, etc. The list goes on and on. However, if your audience is children then go for it.

The ending differs from story to story, and it depends. I hate happy endings that you know are going to come the entire time you're reading the book. Put the character through real pressures and dangers before you save him/her from it all with a happy ending. I really enjoy bittersweet endings, where ultimately it ends relatively well but the characters have all lost something or someone in their lives. I like when the characters realize what they've been through, how far they've come, and the sacrifices they had to make.

Finally, a great character's sex doesn't matter to me. Be it male or female, as long as they stay true to their characteristics I have no problem. I might relate more to male heroes because I'm male, but well written female characters can be more interesting.

Answer 3

I like a flawed main character, pathetic and sympathetic. I don't know about naive or wise. I love unreliable narrators.

I prefer realistic, supernatural magic. Fantasy's not my favorite genre, but an example of one I really liked is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

I like a sad ending, definitely, or at least a little of both.

For a strong main character, I guess I would prefer a woman. A courageous man can get a little cliche.

Answer 4

In serious writing there will be a character who will have a big spiritual awakening somewhere in the book. That person is the hero or heroine no matter what the other characters do or say. That's what makes the difference between a book and literature. The reader now has questions to ask himself or herself about what happened spiritually or psychologically and why. Someone else going through the same thing might have a different type of change and different choices. The book gives you material to think about and question the behavior of the characters, not that Cinderella married the Prince. No changes there.

Answer 5

WOW! Ok well here is what I think. I like ... IDK about what kind of magic because I have read Harry Potter but not Wiccan and Pagan or whatever. But I like things that shouldn't exist, but do- my favorite series is the Twilight one, about vampires. And my second favorite is the Harry Potter series, about wizards. I think a little happy and a little sad in an ending do well. There are lots of people who think the ending of HP7 was too happy- the four main characters all lived. But honestly, honestly, no joke, when you have books that are that popular, you HONESTLY and seriously have to fear for your safety if you kill off a main character.

And also my favorite books have heroines and not heroes, GIRL POWER! LOL jk.

Answer 6

someone who's naive and must learn from their mistakes. i think that makes the character a little more real. as far as the magic thing, i think that it depends on the setting of the story. i like a strong heroine and i like endings that are a little of both.

Answer 7

Main character: I love a rag to riches character, someone with a strong character who takes all the bad stuff had happens and still comes thro unscathed and happy, unrealistic but I enjoy those fairytale endings!!

I don't like fantasy so cannot answer you next question soz!

As for the endings, I like all types of endings, usually I enjoy a 'twist' that you never see coming so it really surprises you!!

Answer 8

A wise character who learns they are not as brillant as they thought they were is more interesting; and bury the wizard. Too over done.
If you want magic, just use it. It doesn't have to be explained.
And a happy ending will endear the readers to your story and make them want to read it again.

Answer 9

I like ALL of the above. Rosemary Rogers is a good one for incorporating all that in her Historical Adventure Romance novels. They are nice thick novels where the story continues over 3 books. "Sweet Savage Love" is one of her titles.

I like Harry Potter style magic as well as the more adult magic.

Answer 10

I like to see happy people.