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What makes a good, profound book?

capstone

capstone

Bluelighter
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The little voice inside of you telling you to do t
I have some ideas of two books that's been fermenting in my mind for a long while, based on life, but written as fiction. Looked around, and the kind of thing I'd like to write(don't want to give anything away...) isn't anywhere in any books that I can find, so its would be a totally different kind of new thing. For once, not the recycled mediocre garbage they usually write in books, anyway.

So far, I've got the basic storyline framework together, to have some idea of how I'm going to put it together, in the most effective and beautiful way. Just have to sit and write them now.

Already talked to a publisher about the idea and framework I have, and he seemed really positive about it. Told me whenever I get done with the first one, to make an appointment, and he'd be happy to see me. Overall, nothing about his demeanor seemed contrived, it went pretty good, so I might just have a chance to get published.

Was wondering what are the best aspects of books they read, like how they're put together, what sort of characters traits appeal to them, how twists are revealed, just general things of what people think makes a good book.

Any help from the good folks here would be greatly appreciated. Hell, if the responses are good and sincere, I'll probably be taking notes.

Thanks.
 
you're obviously looking to write something with mass appeal, and that's probably not gonna happen if you sign with an upstart publishing house that doesn't even have the means to get enough copies of your book printed let alone marketed and sold in all available markets. the most effective way to take a shot at big money is to take your story's idea and make sure a) it's really got as much mass appeal as you think it does, b) you edit the FUCK out of it when you've finished the actual writing, and c) that your intellectual property is protected as much as you possibly can.

then it's only a question of sending the completed work out to some respectable publishers, see who bites and if there's a lot of interest then consider hiring on an agent to negotiate the best deal for you. i don't know much more about the business being an amateur writer myself, but i do know that if you look at your stories only as cash cows then you're going to end up putting a lot of blood, sweat and tears into making them novels and running the risk that nobody likes the end product enough to buy it
 
I don't care about mass appeal, just something new. And the publisher wasn't "upstarting" in any way, these people have been around for a while.

Just looking for some constructive criticism of what people think makes a good book, and what they don't like.

Thanks.
 
be a perfectionist. make each sentence exactly what you see fit, and if something seems like it could read better, take the time to think and revise. try and fill your writing with deeper meaning, and most of all, don't worry about it being weird. some of the best books i have read have been untraditional, or just plain strange, but inside there is profound realizations to be made. Be true to yourself and most of all, enjoy yourself.
 
dont be afraid to be vulgar and gruesome, when it applies; so selby jr has taught me.
irony and humor are always interesting in most, but not all, situations as well; so vonnegut has taught me.
dont be afraid of other writers influencing your own style; so my old homeless friend the writer has taught me when i asked him if he'd read a certain book: "I dont like to read books because their style might influence mine".
take your favorite authors, and through their style, create your own unique style. i may be wrong, but people who dont read certainly cant write.
have fun and think for yourself.
 
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