Goodreads asked Daniel Ruth:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Daniel Ruth My advice would be to write what you enjoy. If you don't have fun you'll eventually stop doing it. I won't comment on grammar and spelling since that would be hypocritical;) What most authors would benefit from is making the character relatable. No matter what you have him/her do, think for a moment... is this realistic? If your character comes across as stupid or unlikeable, why would someone relate to it? If they can't relate to it why would anyone care what happened to him/her? If they don't care what happens to him why would they read the book?

While I personally prefer books where I can relate to the character it's not always essential. However, even if they can't relate the reader has to care. I have been annoyed and angry when I get to the end of a book and my favorite character died. I can still appreciate the book, though perhaps I wouldn't have read it if I had known in advance. The worst book I have ever read had the main character die. I closed the book, put it down and realized... I didn't care. I couldn't relate, wasn't emotionally invested, for or against the character.

Do what you can to make the reader care.

flag