Feature & Follow #4: Characters & Plot vs. Writing

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read,each of whom feature a chosen blog for the week. It is a great way to meet new bloggers, make friends, and get exposure for your own blog.

This weeks Question:

How important is good writing to you? In an ideal world, a book would be beautifully written AND have great character development, plot, etc. But in the real world, which do you prefer: (1) Great characters and plot with lousy writing or (2) Middling character development and plot but gorgeous writing

This is a hard question.  I want to say that the writing effects how I feel about the characters and plot.  If the writing is bad, I just can't get into everything else.

Whenever I pick up a book by one of my favorite authors (link to favorite author list), I usually feel like I'm taking in a breath of fresh air and am astounded by how well done the writing is.  However, those authors also produce great characters and plot.

That being said, when it comes down to it, if I love a book, it's usually because of how invested I felt in the characters.  So I guess I'm going to pick character and plot.  

Grammarly

"I use Grammarly's plagiarism check because pirates are only appropriate as a subject in literature!”   

First You Write by Joni Rodgers eBook Giveaway!

First You Write: The Worst Way to Become an Almost Famous Author and the Best Advice I Got While Doing It

Joni Rodgers

In her critically acclaimed, bestselling memoir, BALD IN THE LAND OF BIG HAIR (HarperCollins 2001), Joni Rodgers invited readers along on her family's harrowing (but hilarious) journey through the Badlands of cancer and self-discovery. In this mini-memoir, Rodgers expands on how events before, during and after her stint in chemo led to her becoming a New York Times bestselling author and celebrity ghostwriter. 

Peppered with laughter and enriched with wisdom from friends and mentors, FIRST YOU WRITE challenges aspiring writers to reflect on what compels us to create and shares an optimistic but controversial take on where the publishing industry is headed.

"A lot of people ask me why a New York Times bestselling author repped by William Morris Endeavor would choose to indie publish," says Rodgers. "This is the answer. It isn’t perfect, but I tried to be true. And it's a quick read. I kept it short, because the best piece of writing advice I ever received was delivered to me by the late, great Rue McClanahan: Stop kvelling and get back to work."

The Center For Fiction lists FIRST YOU WRITE as an Essential Book For Writers, saying, "Rodgers’ writes with wit and candor not only about her circuitous route to becoming a New York Times bestselling memoirist and a critically acclaimed small-press novelist... Rodgers’ willingness to experiment (isn’t that what artists do?) and to turn preconceived publishing notions on their ear is wonderfully refreshing, and her whip-smart observations will keep you turning (virtual) pages." 

KUDOS FOR AUTHOR JONI RODGERS:
"Rodgers is a pure storyteller. She writes with a wit, lyricism, humanity and joy that make her books impossible to put down." 
Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin

"Alternately wrenching and humorous...Rodgers' strength is a womanly wise, laugh-through-tears appreciation of life."
Publishers Weekly

Giveaway:

The First person to CLICK HERE will receive the free eBook.  In return please follow me at one of the following links:

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Enjoy,
Diane