Well, generally, their works often have a strong focus on emotions. For example, love is a central theme. In Jane Austen's novels, it's the courtship and the feelings between the characters. Their works also tend to have well - developed characters with deep inner lives. Like in Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre', we can see Jane's growth through her various emotional experiences. And often, there's a sense of melancholy or longing. In Thomas Hardy's works, the characters are often faced with difficult situations that evoke these emotions.
The first author that comes to mind is Louisa May Alcott. Her 'Little Women' is full of family sentiment and the growth of the characters. Thomas Hardy is also among the best. His novels such as 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' are rich in sentimental themes of love, loss, and the harshness of life. Then there's Nathaniel Hawthorne, with works like 'The Scarlet Letter' that have strong emotional undercurrents.
One characteristic is the focus on emotions. Best selling romance authors often explore a wide range of emotions such as love, passion, jealousy, and heartbreak. For example, Nora Roberts' novels are filled with intense emotions that make the readers feel deeply connected to the characters.
Many of these authors had well - developed characters. Take J.K. Rowling. Her characters were multi - dimensional and readers could relate to them on different levels. Whether it was the heroism of Harry Potter or the complex personalities of the other characters in her wizarding world, it added depth to the stories.
The works of best - selling fiction authors in 2015 often had engaging plots. For example, Paula Hawkins' 'The Girl on the Train' had a mystery - filled plot that kept readers hooked. It was full of twists and turns.
Typically, they often use elements of the unknown. For example, in Stephen King's novels, there are often mysterious and malevolent forces at work. This creates a sense of unease in the reader. Another characteristic is the use of suspense. Authors build up tension, like in Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery', where you don't know what the real outcome will be until the very end. And a lot of them play with the readers' fears, whether it's the fear of the dark, of death, or of the supernatural.
They may also explore themes of sexual liberation and taboos. These authors sometimes aim to break down the traditional barriers and norms around sex in society. Their works can be a form of social commentary on how society views and restricts sexual behavior.
The characters in seafaring novels are often a diverse bunch. There are sailors from different backgrounds, captains with their own personalities and motives. This diversity allows for interesting interactions and conflicts, such as the power struggle between Captain Ahab and his crew in 'Moby - Dick'.
Often, the works of spy novel authors are full of mystery. They keep the readers guessing about the true identities and motives of the characters.
The settings in police novels are often urban areas with a high crime rate. This creates a backdrop of danger and mystery. The authors use these settings to build tension and drive the plot forward. They might describe the seedy underbelly of a big city, which is full of potential suspects and motives for crimes.
Typically, the works of horror novel authors are designed to create fear. They often use elements like the unknown, the supernatural, and things that go bump in the night. For example, in Stephen King's novels, he might use a haunted house or a malevolent entity to instill fear in the reader. Another characteristic is the build - up of suspense. Authors will slowly reveal details to keep the reader on edge.