What makes a story a good story for you?

[Virtual Headache]

Well, something I wanted to ask you:
What makes a story a good story for you?
What are you looking for in a story?

how does it need to be?
Thrilling? Sad? Funny?

Do you prefer a rather professional or a simple writing style of the author?

[K-dawG]

For me its just the storyline. The writing can be just average I'm not that bothered aslong as it goes along a good storyline...

I like books that areFunny and Thrilling it's great when you get an exciting book. ^__^

[King toad]

To be truly awesome, it has to have some form of me in it.


Or on a more serious note, as long as it hasn't got pages of description on what the magic tree looks like and can at least explain what colour hair the lead character has, surely it must be okay.

Which reminds me, I must get back to writing those two stories I've been working on for my 20 or so loyal fans which I promised them a year ago.

[Arielle]

I think the storyline is the most important factor. It is what will keep me entertained and reading. After that, decent spelling and grammar. I won't read anything without it. ^^;; Then, everything else really doesn't matter.

[Nashua]

I think that a story must have some type of conflict in it. Otherwise, it will just drag on and on with no point to it.

I prefer some professionalism to an extent, but I don't want any chapters to be too short, either.

[Hanako Tabris]

First thing that I look for is presentation. Depending on the author's age and fluency of the English language, I look for good grammar, spelling, etc. If the person is young, then I make an exception. If the person's first language is not English, then I make an exception. But, I don't want to read a story by someone who has basic spelling errors.

Aside from that, I enjoy stories that have the usual "good stuff": plot, characters, description. It's always that that is the basic ingrediants to a good story.

[SHTR]

I think a book is only good if you dont want to put it down. The ones that you read so fast because you get so excited.

Hence why I can read HP books in a Maximum (For OOTP) in 8 Hours

[Avegaille]

Hmm, well, usually, what I look for a story is the humour and storyline. It makes me read into it further, even if it takes a lot of hours, as long as I'm enjoying myself. Of course, spelling and grammar is another aspect to look out for in stories.

[Darkrai]

I like stories with an original storyline. Nothing taken from Anime, Manga, or even worse, from another story (until they're from the same author, etc.) (this excludes comedy, as it can be a parody of something).
I prefer mystery, thrill. I like to be kept in the dark during the story.

[Levski]

It needs to be something original. Also it should have a storyline that intrigues and makes me want to continue reading.

The beginning shouldn't be bland or generic, or I won't continue reading.

[Black Ice]

Ones that involve a farm boy growing up and eventually saving the whole world *coughcoughTwilightPrincesscoughEragoncoughcough*

I like books with an interesting storyline, preferably one that doesn't include fairy-tale things like faeries and witches and unicorns and magic (unless the story reads well), and isn't too boring or too descriptive and focuses less on plot than descriptions.

[Careful With That Axe, Pichu]

Plot, diction, descriptions, grammar, it has to flow, not bore me; it has to be witty, surprising, dynamic, emotional, inspiring, well-structured.

Do I ask for too much?

[Raz]

For me it needs to have lots of action, it needs to have an interesting story line, and a little bit of comedy to top it up.

[nivek]

It has to be thrilling. Be written Professionally. Have excellent plot/story-line. It must have a few unpredictable twists.

[kippkipp]

exiting,with unexpected events part comedy,part action,part......something....i think someone already said this XD

[Comis Patronus]

Complexity and love parts (NO NOT INAPPROPRIATE ONES). ;P

~@};-

[§Ellie§]

Complexity and love parts (NO NOT INAPPROPRIATE ONES). ;P

~@};-
But those are the most fun types of love parts ;P

Anything that'll hold my attention long enough :X

[D'Artas]

A plot that flows like a river, fast moving with many twists and turns. It needs imagination, but it also needs a pragmatism that keeps the ideas logical and coherent. I also like to see good grammar, because I hate stumbling on bad structure while I'm reading.

[Texas Ranger]

I find a good fic needs a solid base plot, good character development, a well described but not oevrdescribed landscape, to see it's been proofread and finaly if it gives a good climax.

[Saruki]

Humor and the way the author writes. I don't like too many spelling mistakes either in a story.

[Comis Patronus]

Complex stories with a love sideline. O:
It also depends on the author's writing style. Take Virginia Woolf-her books are masterpieces. :3

~@};-

[Fang]

i like reading things with a good storyline, because without it, it van be very boring.
and after every chapter it must by "mysterious" of what is coming next.