Disappearing Car Doors and Readers' Expectations

An article recently came into my e-mail inbox that bragged about the latest and greatest in automobile technology. I clicked on the link and watched as car doors automatically folded underneath the car so passengers could get in and out with the greatest of ease. Hooray for technology!

The only problem with that marvel of automobile science? It assumes one would always want the door to disappear and for the inside of the car to be exposed to the elements. I suppose next the brilliant minds that be will install pop-out umbrellas.

What's the point of all this?

Sometimes writers assume that just because they have the ability to write something off the wall, readers want it.

I have no doubt there are flashy people who would pay $200,000 for disappearing doors just for the bragging rights. That being said, the overwhelming majority of car shoppers spend far less money for a car with conventional door hinges. In fact, they demand it.

As writers, we need to be aware of what our readers expect to see in our books. I'm not talking about whether the bad guy dies a well-deserved, agonizing death or whether he ends up behind bars. You're that author--that's your call. But the reader does expect--and has the right to expect--certain things like:

1. relating to what's happening in the story
2. feeling an emotional response
3. understanding the characters 
4. identifying with the characters' challenges
5. coming to some kind of closure at the end of the book--and not just because you typed "The End" after the last word in the story

Just like most car buyers all over the world, I promise you that readers won't pick up your book, flip through the pages, and expect for doors to disappear. They just want a good book that entertains them--one that takes them where they want to go in comfort.

So, if you are truly a writer--please, don't make the doors disappear!

~Reba J. Hoffman