Reply To: What do you look for in a story?

[klaatu48]

I think the main thing I look for it an insight into what at least one participant is feeling, whether it be terror, joy, or arousal at the prospect of what they’re doing or having done to them. If a portrayal is done all in 3rd person without any inner thoughts or feelings, it doesn’t do much for me.

A bonus, and what I try to include in my writing, is whether the character is concerned about what other people will think, or how the cut will end up looking considering there’s no going back (if there’s an element that allows instant restoration of her hair, that pretty much kills it for me because where’s the risk?).

My favorites are when the subject doesn’t know what’s in store for her, just because that’s an opportunity to really ramp up the anxiety she feels or the deviousness on the part of the stylist.