Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Neglect Not the Reader

It's rare that I'm not reading something. The book-that-shall-not-be-named claiming space on my bedside table is well-written, has an interesting premise, and features easy-to-connect-with characters. But since the first few chapters, I couldn't help thinking, How many pages until the end?
Issue 1: Book Blurb 
I'm an impatient reader. When I'm halfway through and the enticing events in the book blurb haven't come to pass, I think, What's that all about? That blurb is a promise to readers, a morsel of what's coming. When it takes over half the book to deliver on that promise, either the book blurb needs to be tweaked or the first 100 pages need to be lopped off. (Neither solution is particularly encouraging to writers, but it's better than disappointing readers.)
Issue 2: World Building 
The first 100 pages of the story were mostly world-building, defining life back in the day (culture, etc.) and relationships between the main characters. I'm not a proponent of Start With A Bang! because there are compelling stories that draw readers in through wonderful storytelling. Fun/interesting characters dropped into intriguing/uncomfortable situations will always pique my interest. Like the characters, the reader is dropped into that world, and just like real life, they won't learn everything at once. The beginning is only a snippet, a small nugget of the world. The majority of world-building is for the author's benefit and has little place in the story.
Issue 3: Point of View 
There are 4 narrators so far, one of whom has little to do with the main storyline and little new perspective to contribute. For me as a reader, a certain amount of mystery is created when the storytelling is confined to one or two characters. They only know, view, and understand a certain portion of what's happening at any given moment. There's nothing better than making the audience question the narrator's knowledge or understanding and wondering if the narrator is truly reliable. 

Finally, on page 165 the story is getting good. I've passed all the social mores, the random outside characters telling their part of things they're not featured in, and 15 relationships defined in minute detail, and something awesome is about to happen. I'm glad I'm still reading and will probably finish this weekend, whereas it's taken me a week to get this far. Readers should never have to work so hard to see the author's promises fulfilled. Isn't our goal to earn those reviews that say, I couldn't put it down! I had to read all night! That's money, my friends.

There's much to consider when writing and editing a novel, but narrowing the focus and treating your audience like intelligent humans is always a sound plan. Also, delivering on promises you make throughout the novel (and especially in the cover art and book blurb) is important.

Just a little food for thought, my friends. Not every book will become a favorite, but there are reliable techniques for reaching readers. Carry on, my dears! Happy reading! (And writing.)

12 comments:

  1. Totally agree! In fact I blogged about how books that don't deliver on their blurb's promise irk me.

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    1. It sort of like giving your audience a fuzzy lollipop. And that's just not right! Thanks, Heather!

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  2. Hate writing blurb. That aside.... yep, I no longer read books where I am overtold or the narrative is underplotted .... the art of good editing is dying in its boots.,....um....you aren't reading anything written by me...are you..*nervous smile*

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    1. Carol, this could be Death & Dominion OR The House of York - when I read it, I thought, oh s**t, and then I read your reply and realised it could refer to yours too!!!!!!

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    2. My issue is when well-meaning folks gift you a book like this, which was the case here. I hate to let them down, but sometimes they don't know me as well as they think they do. It's rare that I select something on my own that's disappointing, so NO it's certainly not yours Carol! Or Terry's! But sometimes it's a good thing to read crappy stuff just to make a mental note of what not to do!

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    3. In the last few years I have finally given myself permission to put down a book that's taking up my time without any return. It's hard because I know how hard the author worked...but I appreciate your point about how it's the authors job to make the reader want to stay. Great advice :)

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    4. Authors do have a responsibility to their readers. There are plenty of amazing authors and stories out there, we have the responsibility to at least deliver on our promises. Thanks for your comment! :)

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  3. I'm actually wondering if this is my book....

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    1. Of course not! When would you promise something and not follow through? I'm sure it's one of the author's earlier books. And I know how hard it is to get things right. I just happen to worry about not delivering on promises I've made to anyone, and certainly to my readers. Thanks, Terry!

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    2. I'm betting not having read and loved your books ;)

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    3. PW, thanks so much for your kind words, and Sarah - phew!!!!

      Re the comment earlier - I totally agree that it is the author's responsibility (or the film maker's or the actor's, or the singer's) responsibility to captivate the audience. No-one has the right to be read/watched/listened to - I abandon 50% of the books I start, to be honest. We don't deserve anything simply by creating something - what happened to people just creating for the love of it? As was the case, with writing, before Amazon. I wrote several novels that no-one ever read :)

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    4. Exactly! I think we have to create the best product we can. In classic evil author mode, we fill it with as many Easter eggs, twists, gasps, and gotchas as we can. Isn't that so much more fun anyway? When we take the time to make it the best we can, that's what happens. I LOVE it.

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