Here's a thought for the day...

What is it about self-destructive behavior (eating too much, drinking too much, arguing too much, criticizing ourselves too much and not loving ourselves enough) that takes the first 20-30 years of our lives to even recognize (and stop repeating blindly - you may still repeat it, but you'll no longer be blissfully blind) - and the rest of our lives (I can only assume), to manage to work it out?

Human beings are so complex and intricate - with more fascinating and capable components than any super-computer.  Observing human behavior, questioning my own, wondering at the ways of the world - why do bad things happen - what is a "soul" - how do we ever escape from the ghosts of our childhood...THIS is what makes me NOT just a writer, but a writer who weaves complex human emotion, conflicts, and dilemmas throughout her books.
A mystery can be good for certain - even without ever going beyond the "surface".  Action/adventures can be fantastic (and often are without deeper thought) - and in some mediums (TV/Movies), it's nearly impossible to delve beneath the facade of your characters' psyches.  But those quirky, complex, quixotic, fleeting, enduring, hindering, driving, guiding, personal demons - and all that they bring along - are as integral to my novels as the plots themselves.  Some people like to see so deep, read the inner workings of a character's mind.  Some do not (just check out some of my negative reviews on Amazon for proof of that).  But I don't think a novel would truly be profound without it.  And since I aim towards that end -  towards reaching the deeper meaning within human lives and interactions - I'll never give it up.  I'll just strive every day to be better at it.

So, what do you think?  Do you prefer to read the quick books with a fast pace that focus on plot (and can typically be read in one day), do you prefer one that includes keys and insights into the characters' "souls", or do you prefer a mix of both, based upon your mood for the day?

As a reader, I prefer BOTH depending on mood.  As a writer, I bow down to "deeper meaning" each and every time.