No Plot? No Problem!

That's the name of a book intended as a writing tool for writers. Chris Baty is the author and, if I'm not mistaken, he also is the one that heads up the annual NaNoWriMo in November. But that's not really the subject of this post. It's about books that have no plot.

I know people who don't like books without a plot. I know others who say the story is all about the characters.

I think I fall in the latter category. Not that I have anything against plots but if I'm not relating with the characters in some way, the author can have the best plot ever devised and s/he will have lost me as a reader. On the flip side, if s/he can make me care about the characters, I probably won't notice/care that there is no plot.

If the author has created a character who hits a nerve with me and I hate them, that's okay because they've been so descriptive that they've evoked an emotion out of me. It's only bad when it's the hero or heroine. And that happens.

I've heard (and find it to be true for my tastes) that it's not good to have a book that is only about sex. A well written love scene is one thing but when the characters can't seem to drag themselves out of bed long enough to have a discussion or a life, there's a problem. I'll move on to the next book.

I recently read a book where all either characters could think about was having sex with the other one. I think there was only one scene where they actually consummated the relationship but it never left their thoughts. (And the sex scene was on the cutting room floor. They discussed it and thought about it a lot afterwards though but the act itself didn't make the cut.) I didn't hate the book but the author also did not go on my "automatic buy" list.

For me, reading is an escape. I like mindless reading. I love fun, light reads - something that can make me laugh and/or cry but not require too much thought on my part. Don't get me wrong, I love John Grisham thrillers and Mary Higgins Clark mysteries but those kinds of books only make up about twenty-five percent of my reading. The other seventy-five percent is made up of lighter fare. But if they can't make me care about the characters, they lose me as a reader. (Can't stress that enough. LOL)

So, bottom line for me and my reading preferences, my motto is: No Plot? No Problem! ;o)

How about you?