I have read many articles and entire books on how to write, but really it all boils down to one rule, to three words — Make us care.
Some writers find it easier to make us care about their characters, others to make us care about the story. Of course the best writers succeed in making us care about both.
Embattled Farmers 
Good advice. I may not always succeed but when writing darker stories I strive to make them feel disturbed. If I can do that, I feel I’ve succeeded in making a decent horror story.
good advice….!
Dead on. And to the point. : )
Oh, and do I need to pre-order your book so you feel additional pressure to get that baby done?
When it’s done, I’ll send you one.
Nope. When it’s ready for beta readers, you’ll send it to me. Then, when it’s published, you can sell me a signed copy. : )
No, you are definitely on the free signed copy list.
Don’t make me call you a stubborn, modern-day Republican. This is just your chance to label me a freeloader! : )
We can worry about it when the time comes. I’m just technically a Republican.
That’s the problem. You’re not a Tea Party Patriot who loves our country like you should. : ) Which is probably a sound enough diagnosis of the problem with the Republican Party right now.
nah, the best advice is to write well, whatever its about. that and ignore other peoples opinions. which means mine too.
i’ve read many books where i dont care about the characters or the story but the words themselves were interesting and well written so i carried on reading. did it make me care for them? er.. dunno. i dotn really view it in that way.