What makes your book(s) special and unique?

[Alexis]

What are the things that make your books or your writing stand out?

[Carole]

I can't answer that for my books. I feel too close to them. I can say that my son puts a twist in each of his books that people usually never see coming.

[Alexis]

Carole wrote: "I can't answer that for my books. I feel too close to them. I can say that my son puts a twist in each of his books that people usually never see coming."

Ah but if you had to pitch your books to a major book retailer, what aspects of them would you highlight?

[Nathan]

Well, at least in book one, I've had people tell me that they have rarely read a crime novel without course language or sexually explicit themes and that also had the Gospel message in it. And I threw in a twist that, even if the reader figured out 'who dunnit', they were still surprised at the end.

[Carole]

Kids love them because it discusses the things that interest them. They enjoy the pirate series, because it's exciting and has adventure. The cultural series touches on aspects of life that stimulate discussion. The historical series demystifies history in a way for kids to understand it. It places them in the shoes of someone who lived there, so they will have a better understanding of life during that time period.
The last group of books empower children, teaching they they can achieve anything they want.
Well, that's what happens when you've published 50 books. lol

[Alexis]

Nathan wrote: "Well, at least in book one, I've had people tell me that they have rarely read a crime novel without course language or sexually explicit themes and that also had the Gospel message in it. And I th..."

The criminals don't curse either!?

[Bernard]

I wanted my novel, My Ripper Hunting Days, to have an anti-hero, but he had to be someone different than the usual kind we see. You know the kind of ordinary guy accomplishing things he never expected or thought he would go through and finds himself doing it. So I added a second level of anti-heroism by making him feel he had failed in his attempts to reach his goal and had him abandoning it while, in fact, he is the only one who didn't know he had actually succeeded.
My Ripper Hunting Days

[Erin]

My novella is not unique but it is rare these days: an interracial romance with a heroine who doesn't need to be rescued by the powerful, brooding white guy. No baby mama drama, no thugs or gangsters, no thank you lol. Of course all of the aspects of romance that I mentioned have broad appeal and I refuse to knock it. I'm not a genre snob - my books aren't better, just different and so far people find the difference refreshing. By the way, a little birdie told me that one of our illustrious members is about to launch a romance novella that fits neatly into the type of novella I write/adore. Needless to say, I can't wait!! Smart. sexy heroines make my day and if they are also women of color then stick a fork in me - I'm done!!

[Nathan]

Alexis wrote: "Nathan wrote: "Well, at least in book one, I've had people tell me that they have rarely read a crime novel without course language or sexually explicit themes and that also had the Gospel message ..."

Nope, I believe I captured the depth of his anger and psychotic behavior without relying on overused @#&! words and phrases. Not saying my book is suitable for younger readers, as it is a crime novel, after all.

[C.L.]

As Carole says, it's hard to be sure when you're too close to it, but based on my reviews, it's my quirky dialogue/humor. That's what gets called out in almost every review.

I'd LIKE to think that it's my avoidance of cliche storylines. I make a point to try to write a fresh story, by paying attention to and trying to avoid/write the opposite of common tropes. I don't want to tell the same story that has been told sixteen ways from Tuesday. I want to turn all of that upside down and write something fresh and different.

...Says the person whose book is a Twilight spoof. But that's the thing. I took all of the stuff that bothered me about Twilight - the abusive behaviour, the gender roles, the sparkling, and turned it upside down.

[Ember-Raine]

My first romance novel is about a girl with PTSD. There aren't too many novels out where the heroine suffers from the disease. Mostly it is military personnel who suffer from it but that is only a percentage of the people who actually suffer on a daily basis and I really wanted to capture that in this book!

[Anna]

I'm not telling! I'm waiting for someone to notice but there is something in my books that only people who know their history very well will be aware of and I hope they will approve.

[Amy]

Modified is both unique and not. On the one hand it's Trouble in Space (and that's been done before.) On the other hand there are mini backgrounds to the characters, some of which show the double standards faced by ordinary people. Some highlight the desire of individuals to lose their memories because of things they've done. And on the other hand, because I see no reason why I cannot have three hands, despite being dark in places it has humour. And bonking.

[Mary Ellen]

Mine is unique for the age of the hero and heroine and the level of sexuality. There are some steamy romances with 40ish couples but all the ones with 50ish couples I've found are pretty tame. Well, except for granny porn but I'm not sure those qualify as romance. Mine has the 50ish couple having very steamy encounters, such as the scene where they have make-up sex in his son's laundry room before Christmas dinner.

[Carrie]

I think my novel is a bit different because of the strong female protagonist. I mean truly strong--not whiny and unsure of her powers, afraid or unwilling to use them, or scared of the consequences. If something needs to be handled, Aven will handle it (but sometimes not well!). She's a bit hardened and bitter from the trauma of her previous lives, and many times unapologetic. While this may sound unappealing, you discover why she's this way and then begin to identify with her and root her on. (These aren't my words but reviewers! (Thankfully!))

[Erica]

I feel that my series targets a unique concept in children's books. My goal was to not only target this concept, but to make sure that my storylines didn't suffer to accomplish this goal. This way the books are appropriate for ALL young children. I want these books to be fun for kids working with speech and fun for kids with typically developing speech. :)

[Dante]

Unlike the run of the mill crime fiction novels out there Regret Nothing rejects the idea that crime is known best by the police who chase the criminals. No one knows crime or its motivations better than those who engage in it, so those are the people i write about.

Regret Nothing shows the truth about criminals, rather than portraying these people as maniacal monsters who sow chaos and revel in madness, my story impresses upon the reader that they're just people. They are you and I, with a few different twists and turns in life.

[Groovy]

I write suspense and romantic suspense and like another author mentioned for their writing, I'm able to do it without profanity and gory scenes. I like to put a lot of twists and turns in them; and sometimes you'll grab a tissue or two.

I also think what makes it a bit different is that instead of writing about crime and suspense from a detective or law-enforcement's POV, I write it from a normal, everyday person's POV who's thrust into the situation and is called upon to be the heroine.

[[deleted user]]

I write science fiction. I try to challenge people's perception of death, life after death and the quest for truth that continues after the change called death, and to let them examine ideas they might not otherwise consider.

[Angel]

What makes my book(s) and writing stand out is my "unique insight into mankind," which is not me saying that. It was what a big five trad publisher said to me about my writing once upon a time, when I was a teenager just getting into the writing/publishing world. So far I've been able to maintain that unique quality and skill. And even though he told me they weren't looking for such an invaluable quality and skill because they didn't know how to market it. Luckily I've been able to. That's the best complimentary rejection I've ever gotten and that has been how I've described my writing skills all this time. Because before that I couldn't sum it up into words. It's probably why I can write any genre and have along with other creative endeavors and inventions.

[Marie Silk]

Wow I have loved reading this thread. Such amazing authors we have here! :)

[Alexis]

Marie Silk wrote: "Wow I have loved reading this thread. Such amazing authors we have here! :)"

I agree! Keep them coming everyone.

[Katherine]

My historical novels are about ordinary women who refuse to behave as victims. They overcome obstacles in extraordinary ways, but within the limits of the social norms and political structures of their eras. I'm noticing more and more authors who develop characters with these traits, and I hope that an entire genre will develop around this type of characterization.

[Amy]

Alex wrote: "Is it okay if I admit I have no idea what makes my books unique or what would make a good elevator pitch for them?
I've been enjoying the thread and it's nice to see what everyone has to say, but w..."

What you said applies to me. I'm just full of BS sometimes! lol

[Jennifer]

Lots of great stories!

Down and Out in Kathmandu: Adventures in Backpacking is unique thanks to the combination of diamond smuggling and an unwitting volunteer.

The Lover's Portrait: An Art Mystery is unique because of the descriptions of the treatment of homosexuals in the Netherlands during World War Two.

[Steven]

So I started writing as therapy from suffering a traumatic brain injury in the military. I wrote everything down and started to write nightmares involving zombies.

But my zombies, although they spread like the undead normally do, they evolved into more monstrous things with special abilities. While most of the world hid away from them in enclaves, my main characters were always rushing out into the world to face them.

Zombie pop culture tends to flourish when we are coming out of a recession because zombies are usually a metaphor for consumerism. Mine aren't though. They're monstrous things of a different caliber because I think they are metaphors for terrorism. That's why my main characters choose to live and rush out to face it head on because that's the only way you ever beat that fear.

A friend of mine told me that instead of being grim and depressing like most zombie stories are, my story felt more like "Well we can die at any moment and that's why it's important to live," which to me seems more real after being in a war zone. In war you aren't depressed and sad all the time. That's a misconception. You laugh the hardest and the longest because you are more conscious that life could be fleeting.

So that's why my story is different. It's a bit of life from an apocalypse and a completely different take on a classic monster.

[Carole]

Thanks for your service, Steven.

"You laugh the hardest and the longest because you are more conscious that life could be fleeting." Interesting comment. My favorite book of all time Shogun by James Clavell has a scene like that. After surviving an epic earthquake all these warriors start laughing and it's when the mc has the same epiphany. I read it over thirty years ago and it changed my life.

[Carole]

I loved each and very one of his books. King Rat was another favorite- it's a short but powerful read. I haven't read that one for a long time, but Shogun I re read recently. It was still amazing.

[David]

C.L. wrote: "As Carole says, it's hard to be sure when you're too close to it, but based on my reviews, it's my quirky dialogue/humor. That's what gets called out in almost every review.

I'd LIKE to think tha..."

Yes, you did all that good plot stuff...but your dialogue still rocks, your characters still quirk (?) and it's fun to read!

[C.L.]

David wrote: "Yes, you did all that good plot stuff...but your dialogue still rocks, your characters still quirk (?) and it's fun to read! "

Thanks, David! I really like your online stories so I'm looking forward to Personal Pronouns. But I'm slow about E-books so it may take me a while.

[Ben]

I write books about a little boy and his best friend an imaginary fart, I hope no one else is doing it ;)

[Amy]

Ben wrote: "I write books about a little boy and his best friend an imaginary fart, I hope no one else is doing it ;)"

I think you might have that one all to yourself!

[Eva]

Based on several reviews for my Contemporary Women's Fiction novel, 'An Enlightening Quiche,' readers have stated how they feel a part of the mill town I created. This is very gratifying.

[Amy]

(Mmmmm love quiche!)

[Ben]

Eva wrote: "Based on several reviews for my Contemporary Women's Fiction novel, 'An Enlightening Quiche,' readers have stated how they feel a part of the mill town I created. This is very gratifying."

Nice one! Making me hungry!

[Steven]

Carole wrote: "Thanks for your service, Steven.

"You laugh the hardest and the longest because you are more conscious that life could be fleeting." Interesting comment. My favorite book of all time Shogun by Jam..."

That's a great damn book. I haven't read that in years!

[Carole]

I go back and visit every so often- it's like reconnecting with an old friend. (in a good way, though). When I read it, I remember why I want to write- the pleasure the book gave me-
My uncle gave it to me. He had taken the book on a trip to India and while he loved India- It was his first time there and was entranced by the sights- he finished the book- He gave it to me in ripped pieces to make it easier to travel with lol. He told me it was the greatest book and even though he was fascinated with sightseeing, he kept jumping back to read during lulls - That's a master story teller!!

[Eva]

Ben wrote: "Eva wrote: "Based on several reviews for my Contemporary Women's Fiction novel, 'An Enlightening Quiche,' readers have stated how they feel a part of the mill town I created. This is very gratifyin..."

Thank you, Ben!

[Eva]

Amy wrote: "(Mmmmm love quiche!)"

May you acquire a "literal" taste for one...

[Amy]

Tim wrote: "What makes my books unique is the same as what makes your books unique: I wrote mine and you wrote yours..."

That is spot on.

[Carole]

Very wise, Tim.

[Wolfen]

I suppose in a way people would hesitate to call my storyverse unique, since it involves retellings of myths and fairytales and classic lit, but I think the way I've connected various myths and stories together, and the system of magic / culture I've developed, is unique. Also, I have a lot of bi/pansexual and genderfluid characters, and a couple of major dwarf characters, in the stories for it that I'm currently working on ....

[Justin]

For one, I write poetry, a genre less appreciated these days so I feel that in itself is unique. Also not too many people are writing horror poetry never mind poetry which again I like to think makes my writing unique. As a poet I feel I am a rare and special breed of writer whose just trying to open the eyes of those who think poetry is dead or lame.

Also I like writing in multiple genres. I don't just stick to poetry I write horror, westerns, and crime thrillers and could even open up to writing in other genres. So in many regards I am quite diverse in genres. In my writing I tend to write one or two chapters solely dedicated to flashbacks that either tie loose ends or talk around the story connecting to the plot. I like this because I've read books that go back and forth between present and flashbacks and they can get quite confusing so what I tend to do is leave things open and if the reader is wondering anything, the flashback acts as a way to answer those questions and bring some nostalgia to the book.

What makes my books unique is I like to create a world but at the same time use the one we live in. I like to incorporate history into fiction so it blends together to create a vivid idea for what the book is about, give it substance if you will. I feel that makes my books quite special and unique.