Writing Changes Everything
Once again this weekend, I got a SPAM-type ad for a new book. The cover was hideous, in my humble opinion, with people who looked rather like avators designed by someone with a sick view of anatomy, and the premise left me cold . . . but still, in the world of books, I will often click on ads just to see who's out there, who's writing what, to look for trends, to I hope have a sense of wonder about something another writer dreamed up, as I did when I read this book.
Truly, I look to be awed by the creativity of others.
Once again, it was a self-pubbed book. And just maybe to prove myself wrong, I clicked on "read an excerpt." Once again, I wanted to scream.
I get that we all read different types of books. What I enjoy isn't what the next person enjoys. Considering THIS is my bedside reading (and it's an AWESOME book, folks), I know I don't read what most people read. But the thing is . . . we can ALL agree that a book needs proper editing. That it not be riddled with mistakes the average copyeditor would pick up inside of five minutes. That is not be so full of cliche that the average high school junior in a creative writing class would give it a D.
There's something to be said--good and bad, I suppose--for thinking outside the box when it comes to publishing. Yes, many great writers languish unpublished and unagented. But many, many more aren't ready and take shortcuts that a professional would just cringe at.
But even more, I suppose, is what it says about me as a reader. Because I am a writer, it changes everything. There are some mainstream-published, commercial fiction writers I used to read that I simply can't anymore. I start many, many more books than I finish. Knowing how to craft a sentence or a plot changes how I read. Maybe others don't see what I see. But I do and it changes my reading habits.
Has writing changed your reading habits? And what are your thoughts on the self-pubbed route?
Truly, I look to be awed by the creativity of others.
Once again, it was a self-pubbed book. And just maybe to prove myself wrong, I clicked on "read an excerpt." Once again, I wanted to scream.
I get that we all read different types of books. What I enjoy isn't what the next person enjoys. Considering THIS is my bedside reading (and it's an AWESOME book, folks), I know I don't read what most people read. But the thing is . . . we can ALL agree that a book needs proper editing. That it not be riddled with mistakes the average copyeditor would pick up inside of five minutes. That is not be so full of cliche that the average high school junior in a creative writing class would give it a D.
There's something to be said--good and bad, I suppose--for thinking outside the box when it comes to publishing. Yes, many great writers languish unpublished and unagented. But many, many more aren't ready and take shortcuts that a professional would just cringe at.
But even more, I suppose, is what it says about me as a reader. Because I am a writer, it changes everything. There are some mainstream-published, commercial fiction writers I used to read that I simply can't anymore. I start many, many more books than I finish. Knowing how to craft a sentence or a plot changes how I read. Maybe others don't see what I see. But I do and it changes my reading habits.
Has writing changed your reading habits? And what are your thoughts on the self-pubbed route?
Labels: editing, reading, self-pubbed books
posted by Erica Orloff at 7:02 AM
14 Comments:
I do tend to read with a critical eye. I can still get lost in a book, but it has to be damn good. Those are the ones I seek out.
The best writing, to me, doesn't call attention to itself. The writing becomes invisible, and it's all story.
I usually can't get past the first page of a self-published book. I'm sure there are some good ones out there, but I haven't seen them.
Jude:
I got toally lost in The Kite Runner. I am in awe of ANYTHING by Neil Gaiman or Margaret Atwood. And yeah, I think the best writing you get lost in--and there isn't a sense of "I am writing what sells, here is my gimmick."
E
What Jude said totally! I'm a much more critical reader and I know some writers finish stuff they don't like but I don't have that kind of time to waste.
I've only read one self-published book and it was before I started writing--as I remember it was pretty good *g* but I know that's rare.
amie:
I think the exception to the self-pubbed thing are business books--a lot of the top tier of that self-help/keynote/business speaker industry will self-pub--but they have staff or cosultants to do it right. It's what I've consulted on many times.
And I am like you. If I am not engaged, I just don't finish a book--too much good stuff out there instead.
E
The only sp books I read are writing instruction books from Holy Lisle's store. I wouldn't waste my time reading sp fiction, because I want to become a published author. I prefer to learn from edited examples.
I actually wrote about this yesterday on my blog. The comments that were left are worth reading. (Especially Diana's.)
http://heatherharper.blogspot.com/2007/05/self-publishing-is-not-option.html
(I normally never leave links in a comment, but I've already done so twice on your blog. Sorry.)
That would be Holly, not Holy.
(I have a new laptop and I'm having to adjust to the keyboard.)
Heather:
I'm off to visit your blog!
:-)
E
Thank you. :)
Since concentrating on my writing, I've noticed that the fiction books that can pull me in have become fewer. But the ones that do take my breath away. (Neil Gaiman has been doing that to me since his Sandman days)
I also really notice when a formerly edited author becomes less edited (best example: Anne Rice's earlier versus later works). Sometimes it's to their detriment.
I've started reading non-fiction more.
I can't say anything about self-publishing because I haven't really read much in that area.
jk:
I have noticed that too (about the editing). True story . . . I used to be the editor for a best-selling author. The more famous she got, the less she felt she needed ANY editing, until she finally insisted no one question her--she's not best-selling anymore. Karma's a b*tch. So is blind arrogance.
E
On the flip side, I have a few authors I can *forgive* and just enjoy the story despite the writing. Does that make sense? I choose not to see the writing, but it's rare I'll do that.
Amie:
I am a huge fan of Robert K Tannenbaum (who, in turns out, has had a ghost all these years), and I would forgive quite a bit. And do, now that the series is past its prime.
E
I love Neil Gaiman, so I'll have to try Margaret Atwood (if only because you used them in the same sentence).
Writing has most definitely changed my reading habits. For one, my TBR pile is piles. And I can't turn off the critical eye, unless a writer is very, very good.
As far as self-pub stuff, I mostly just get a little impatient with the belief that it's the logical and most effective first step in a career. Personally, I would only self-pub if it were a hobby sort of book ... like, pictures of my pets, or something little for my family.
(And for goodness sake, if you self-pub, at least copy edit the first page!)
spy:
Margaret Atwood's Blind Assassin is probably one of the most complex books in terms of how she chose to tell the story. Astounding.
If you like sci-fi or fantasy, Oryx and Crake is brilliant. Also. The Handmaid's Tale is riveting.
E
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