by Tamela Hancock Murray @Tamela_Murray

A reader of novels:

• Expects the expected
• Wants something unexpected

Offering both the expected and unexpected isn’t most effortless order to fill. However, there are a few ways you can try to keep from annoying your reader:

Write a Compelling Opening

When I was in grade school, one of my mentors said to give a book at least one chapter, preferably three, before giving up. I have followed that rule with any book I felt strongly enough about to begin reading. As a result, books with slow starts but incredible stories have blessed my life. However, in today’s market, I don’t recommend a slow start. Do everything you can to draw your reader in from page one. Even sentence one. Caveat? Be sure the plot lives up to its initial promise.

Follow Established Rules

Following established rules is how most authors fulfill the reader’s expectations. I know some successful authors break the rules so as Jay Leno says, “Don’t write me letters.” However, the majority of successful authors write within the rules while maintaining creativity. For instance, romance readers want a happy ending. Readers of well-known lore expect the author to be knowledgeable and to apply those rules. For example, do you want to create a vampire? Write an innovative story within the confines of vampire lore. Exploring mythology? Know each of the god’s strengths, personality, and limitations.

Tell Me about the Hero and Heroine

With a romance novel, I want to know on page one or certainly by page three, the identity of your couple. Don’t mention the heroine’s best friend Matthew on page one unless Matthew will prove to be the love interest.  If the heroine needs to interact with a man before spotting the hero, don’t let the reader get emotionally invested in him. Just say he’s Uncle Joe or Cousin Zeke. Make sure Uncle or Cousin needs to do or say something before the hero enters. If I have spent fourteen pages reading about Sally and Ned and have invested in learning about both, I don’t want to find out on page 15 that Tanner is the love interest.

Don’t Create Dullards

I lose patience when characters refuse to take a course of action so evident that to do anything else would be foolish. I don’t mind suspending disbelief, but I still need an author to make me understand why the character is not taking the clear course of action. To avoid this, make sure your conflict is sufficient so a solution isn’t too obvious. Keep the reader going by having her say, “If Bronwyn chooses to go to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, this will happen, but if she chooses to stay on the farm and marry Roger, that will happen. What will she do? What do I, the reader, think she should do?”

What Advice Can You Offer?

How do you think a writer can write both the expected and the unexpected? Leave your comments below!

Tamela Hancock Murray has been a literary agent since 2001 and has been involved in the publishing industry for over three decades. She is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels, novellas, and nonfiction books. One of her short historical romance novels,  Destinations, won an RWA Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Tamela is honored to represent many top authors and she continues to develop new talent. She earned her BA with honors in Journalism from Lynchburg College in Virginia. Today she enjoys living in Northern Virginia with her husband of over thirty years. Tamela and her husband are the proud parents of two lovely adult daughters. An avid reader, Tamela can often be found perusing anything from obscure religious texts to the latest bestseller. Tamela loves meeting with authors. Whether you are new to the business, a multi-published author, or somewhere in between, she looks forward to meeting you!