Allie Pleiter on Discussion Questions

Questions about Discussion Questions?

These days, it seems you can’t open the back of a book without finding discussion questions.  It’s no doubt book groups are a big trend, and us authors are often asked to create discussion questions along with our manuscripts. I had to whip up a batch just today (gosh, they sound like brownies when I put it like that, don’t they??)

I have mixed feelings about these questions.  I have been in great conversations launched by discussion questions.  I have been in arguments...ahem...heated discussions sparked by discussion questions.  I have books where I never even glance at them.  

Now, some of this variation may stem from the fact that it takes very little to get me started talking about books.  I discuss books by nature; I don’t need a nudging list of inquiries.  Just this morning a friend and I had a long conversation about books that touched us.  But I spend a lot of time thinking about books.  Probably more than your average person.  Maybe not.

What about you?  Do you utilize discussion questions?  What do you think of such “added features”--especially in fiction works?

Oh, now, look at me--I just asked a “discussion question,” didn’t I?

Book Clubs

Who here belongs to a book club? Go ahead, raise your hand. I'm counting.

One, two, three, do I see four? Yes, and five, six and so on. Book clubs are popular. Why? Because a good book is meant to be shared the same way our love of reading is meant to be shared.

I've been the speaker at several book club meetings. If you are an author, a book club is the perfect place to speak. Chances are they've read at least one of your stories and they want to ask questions about the characters and how they came about. I enjoy talking about my imaginary friends as much as the next person. It's fun to share how they came to life in my brain. In a way, this blog is an extension of a book club. We meet here to read about our favorite author's experiences and catch a peek into their lives. It's a fun place to meet where books are important.

If you belong to a book club, tell us about it and why you enjoy it.
I'm sure you've noticed the questions for discussion in the back of all the Love Inspired books. Do you find the questions thought provoking? Do they make you see the story in a different light?