Are you interesting?
Ever since I learned to write, I’ve become a picky, picky reader. Usually, I flip through a book and check out the prose before I make a purchase—if an author is sloppy or lazy, I don’t want to read it. Mistakes drive me crazy. I mean, I’m positive that I’m not perfect myself, though I am always striving to be as good as I can be. I’m make an effort though—a big one—to provide my readers with quality writing as well as terrific stories, and it’s the books I see hastily written and chucked onto the shelves that I don’t want to read.
So why, why, why! do I see "bad" books getting stellar reviews? Hitting the best seller lists? How do these books even get bought when I struggled for years to make a sale? Until recently, this also drove me a little nutty.
Then I bought the worst/best book ever. I won’t name names, at the risk of insulting one of my peers, but the writing sucked. The plotting was almost unbearable—with huge flashbacks and unbelievable characters. But the premise was interesting, so I gave it a try. Turns out, the whole story was interesting, and despite myself, I couldn’t stop reading. In fact, I read it twice. And there it sits, on my keeper shelf, as a constant reminder: clean writing and a good story may be important, but above and beyond all else, a book must be interesting.
What’s your take?
Oddly enough, I touch on some of this in my next blog entry. (I’ve already written it because I’m going to be in Boston when my day–Aug 28– comes up.) It drives me crazy to find sloppy stuff in my own writing. (I was doing galleys when I wrote my post.) And it drives me crazy to find books that are best sellers that have huge problems. I admire you for sticking with the book you described. I wouldn’t have done it.
I listen to a lot of books with my husband when we are driving around town. We’re in the middle of a male adventure story. It’s one of those books where the name author is worn out, so he’s taken on another guy to help him with the heavy lifting. Anyway, the story’s exciting. But the h/h are in deep trouble at the moment. And it’s their own fault. They did something very stupid that’s gotten them trapped with the bad guys. And I won’t find out how they get out of it until we’re on the way to the airport tomorrow!
One thing about listening vs reading. I’m more likely to stick with a book on tape. Not sure why.
On the other hand, listening is frustrating because I have to break off at random times in the story. We pull up to the curb in front of our house, and dh turns the motor off. I tell him to turn it back on so I can hear a little more.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — August 25, 2006 @ 11:41 am
To paraphrase story guru Robert McKee…
A good idea is common.
Good writing is also common. (In any educated population, an intelligent person who reads can also put together some spiffy pages of prose.)
Good story is uncommon, however, and story talent is rare.
In my estimation, the mega corporatization of publishing has put heavier and heavier burdens on its editors. As a result, editors may acquire good stories, but they have little time to edit and manuscripts are rushed into publication on tight schedules. A PW column a few months back was written by a managing editor bemoaning the attempt to find copyeditors who could pass a basic skills test. Old publishing was about books and story and moving from one year to the next happy with modest profits. Publishing executives were happy just to be in the business of publishing good books. Not anymore. Corporate publishing requires that (like public companies of Wall Street) earnings increase annually. It’s a beast now. It’s all about growth and market share and INCREASED profit. It’s not enough to make a little and be happy to be in the publishing industry (the attitude of the traditional publisher). A hungry, frightening beast is in place now that eats up editors and spits them out. Yes, absolutely, authors should understand that they are responsible for a tight story that is well told with proper grammar. But if the author were given the time and attention before publication of her good story, she would be able to correct all of it, through a traditional revision process, with guidance and help from the publisher’s staff. That costs too much now, in time and money. And the execs need their bonuses, you know. Of course, I’m a writer and I love writers and I will always defend writers, so while I know the writer is responsible for a clean manuscript, I also believe the publishing process should not let the writer down (not unlike a talented boxer who has a distracted corner man, or a gifted race car driver with a pit crew that just doesn’t have its act together)!
Luv,
Cleo Coyle
Latest release…
Coffeehouse Mystery #4: Murder Most Frothy
Comment by Cleo — August 25, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
It’s not enough. Not any more. I want the whole package, good writing, great story, 3-d characters.
Though, I did recently read a rather literary novella that was simply beautiful writing.
Part of it is what you’re in the mood for, I suppose.
Comment by May — August 25, 2006 @ 3:20 pm
“I admire you for sticking with the book you described. I wouldn’t have done it.”
Trust me, Rebecca–it was a rare occurance. I hardly read anymore I’m so picky–but the book was REALLY, uniquely intriguing–and I think when it comes to readers, just maybe, that’s what counts the most. I hate to say it, but unless you are a writer, you probably dont know how much of what you are reading is actually bad… !
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — August 25, 2006 @ 10:16 pm
Cleo–such a huge part of me so agrees with you. Editors should be editing–and they can’t anymore. Its a shame, really. In fact, when I was epublishing, I used to say ‘why have a critique partner–that’s what my editor is for…thats why they get paid–from MY profits.’ Then I realized they weren’t doing their job–paid or not–so I damned well better do it myself! I’ve considered hiring an editor too–but i wouldn’t trust anyone to be right!
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — August 25, 2006 @ 10:22 pm
I was fretting over edits when I read this, think I’ll give it another once over. LOL As a reader it really depends *how* bad it is. I’m ready to forgive a few bloopers, because no one in the world is perfect, we truly can’t know everything. (If we think we do, we’re in for a shock.) If the story has me, the story wins. At the same time if I’ve been truly irritated by errors that make me think the writer has rushed it and not paid attention, I won’t buy another by that author, because (alas) that is what I will remember.
Comment by Saskia Walker — August 26, 2006 @ 1:15 pm
a few errors never bother me…its the blatantly bad writing that I can’t stand…especially when its from someone popular!
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — August 26, 2006 @ 11:54 pm