If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Or, um, is it just me?
Well, um, it’s just you. Lol, well, okay. It isn’t me. I myself like the character development. In fact, I am so not into the story that I will almost always read the last two chapters (or more!) of a book first, even mysteries. I love to know where the characters end up, and then watch the way the author gets them there. A good story line doesn’t draw me in nearly as well as good characters.
As an example, I recently read Quilt as Desired by Arlene Sachitano. The storyline was okay, somewhat contrived and predictable. The author is obviously new on the scene – way too much side material and underdeveloped themes and references. But her character development was good; she created interesting, believable characters (for the most part). I was left, by the end of the book, with a desire to know even more about these people in this world that Mrs. Sachitano had created. That is a true sign of good character development. In spite of the fact that the storyline wasn’t all that great, I would read the next book in the series.
So, as for me, I’m definitely into the characters. The story is simply the characters played out.
