I just want to get it out in the open... I hate it when an author brings the couple together finally near the end of the story, but then one of them dies. I'm telling you, this is not what people read romances for. Authors please note: Need! Happy! Ending! I threw one such book across the room. (Apologies to the library for that. Good thing I didn't see the movie--it's hard to throw a theater.)
Yesterday, author of actual books and blogger for Cedar Fort, Jaime Theler, listed 10 pet peeves she has as a reader. (Check them out here, I'm sure you'll agree with her on all counts!)
Anyway, it reminded me of my recent lament after starting a new book and being confronted with awkward writing:
Since becoming a writer, am I ruined as a reader?
I LOOOOOOOVE to read. I've been an avid reader my entire life. See picture of me avidly reading?
But now a writer's eye has joined my reader's eye as I peruse the pages of my latest book selection. I don't just enter the story, I notice how that story is structured and the precise words chosen to tell it.
It's making me crazy! It goes beyond pet peeves to just plain being critical (in a proper, literary, critiquing kind of way, of course.;D). Sure, the sentence may be grammatically correct, but it doesn't sound right, it doesn't flow. Did the author ever read it aloud and really hear it...? These are the kind of comments I make to my husband who is required under our marriage contract to listen patiently to at least two rants per week from his wife (that's in the Utah law books somewhere). He just gets this look that is very easy to read: "So how many books have you published?")
So back to pet peeves...I guess awkward writing that sounds like the author did not read it aloud to hear how it flows is one of my major pet peeves.
What are yours?
And if you don't like this blog post, probably wise to refrain from throwing your computer. Just saying.
6 comments:
You are a wonderful writer and so funny! Landi and I were just saying today how few people know how truly funny you are. I am so glad the world is seeing it now through your blog.
Now I know why that girl of yours is pretty funny too!
Can I say again how much I love her?
I don't mind it when someone dies, as long as it's the same someone I wanted to kill. My pet peeve is books that are all about plot, with no attention at all to character development.
my biggest peeve-library labels on the cover that hide the pic!!!UGH
I read a book recently that was so tedious with description. I enjoy beautiful words that create such a sense of "being there." However in this case, I found myself skimming so I could get on with the story. Come to think of it, I don't think I finished that book.
I feel your pain. Its hard to close the writing eye when I'm reading. Sometimes I tell myself when I start a book, 'this one is just for fun' but inevitably, by the last 100 pages I've already worked out proper plot resolution and I go a little beserk when the author doesn't see it my way. Does that make me a control freak or what?
It's hard not to be an editor when you just want to be a reader. I've said to myself many times, "I'm just reading this for fun, stop analyzing." How do you turn of the critique switch? Throwing the book across the room could work.
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