Readers seem to like the parts that break their hearts the most, and I think it’s because those are the parts that make them feel the strongest.ĭo you consider your readership’s likes and dislikes, their interests and values, when you are creating your work? In fact, I’ve been particularly amazed by the way readers have responded to Legendary, the sequel to Caraval. I don’t know if the feelings matter so long as they are there. But I don’t think a reader is really going to love a book unless it makes them feel something-wonder, suspense, love, fear, longing, wanting, wishing, anger, empathy, amazement, sadness, joy, disgust, surprise. Readers may initially pick up a book because it’s in a genre they enjoy, it’s full of tropes they love, it has a pretty cover, or they’ve seen it all over Instagram. I think readers want to feel when they read.

This question, and the depths you go to answer it will define your novel’s heartbeat. But I think one way of finding your novel’s heart is by asking: What is the question this story is asking? Heart is more difficult to define than hook. Some heartbeats are so weak you don’t notice them, while other heartbeats are so bold you don’t stop feeling them even after you’ve finished reading. However, some books have more powerful heartbeats than others. I actually think most books have a heart-a sole idea that guides the story and feeds blood into its veins. A hook is what gets a reader to pick up a book and turn the pages, but heart is what makes a reader feel, and heart is also what I believe makes a book successful. But I think a successful book has more than just a fabulous hook. In publishing, people often talk about the importance of a hook a fantastic hook can make a book a best-seller. What do you think is at the heart of a best-seller?īest-seller lists are awesome, but I think there are so many different definitions of what makes a successful novel, and I believe that most of them have one common thread.

Stephanie garber