Wednesday snuck by me this week, so I’m revisiting a past post about why I write what I write.

What do you want from a book? I want a fast-paced, fun, roller-coaster-ride of a read.

Do you like cliffhanger endings? In one of my favorite series, The Morganville Vampires, every book ends with a main character dying or on the verge of death. Rachel Caine is a genius. She may cause me to spew profanities when I come to the end of a book, but you can bet I’m chomping at the bit to read the next one.

I wanted to end my first book, Going Down In Flames, at the moment where Bryn learns Zavien will be put on trial for someone’s death. The editors vetoed the cliffhanger. I still think that would have been a great ending.

I don’t want a book that preaches some sort of lesson, like drugs are bad. You know what? Everyone knows drugs are bad. We saw the commercial where they smashed the egg and the girl said, “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?” Nope. No questions. We got it. Shooting chemicals into your arm or snuffing them up your nose isn’t a good life plan.

I read to escape. I read to experience new worlds where no one has gone before.(Oops, sorry, Star Trek Geek moment.) Anyway, I read to live vicariously through characters who can do things I will never be able to do: sprout wings and fly, become invisible, eat a package of double stuffed Oreo’s in one sitting and not gain any weight.

I don’t claim to read or write “Great Literature”. Going Down In Flames and Bridges Burned are pure brain candy. You’re meant to enjoy Bryn’s adventures, to go along for the ride and enjoy the thrill of shooting a fireball at some asshat’s head.  Because how many times have we wanted to whack some idiot upside the head, but refrained because that isn’t acceptable in polite society. Characters in a novel can do the things we fantasize about.

I love brain candy. In this world of stay-cations and sixty-hour work weeks, brain candy gives you an escape. And thanks to e-readers and apps, there is a never ending supply of brain candy waiting to be downloaded and devoured. And unlike the coveted double stuffed Oreo’s, they are calorie free.