But we have an absolute hard and fast rule that, whatever our first impression, we always read at least half the book before we make a decision. Usually the story idea. M.P. Good pacing, great dialogue. The author feels she must tell the reader all the background at once or the reader won't understand. The author's voice.
Talent is something that's hard to define, hard to pin down, but easy to recognize.
I don't think anything really irritates me except when I pick up a historical and find that history has been re-written so that it's politically correct. A historical should be as historically accurate as the author can make it. She can use more polite euphemisims if she likes, but should avoid writing about time periods that disturb her, or if she fears giving offense. M.P. Learn your craft, listen to feedback from others, even when it's painful, and try to gain professional distance from your work so that you can look at it with objectivity. M.P. Take pride in your work, but remember to be gracious to others.