Writing has, unfortunately, started to ruin reading for me. Not always and hopefully not forever, but I see a definite decline in my reading for pleasure appetite since I started this writing gig.
I used to read everything and anything I could get my hands on. When I first fell for romance, I read them voraciously. Constantly. Couldn’t get enough, and every romance I read fueled the fire for me to write more, write better, stretched my imagination and inspired me.
And then something changed. I’d like to say it’s because my productivity went up, writing-wise, and something had to give. But that’s not exactly true. I’m a fast reader, so the couple of hours spent reading wouldn’t kill my writing time. Not anymore than staring blankly into space or watching some mindless TV show.
I think what happened is that I’d learned ‘the rules.’ Now, you can argue that knowing the rules before you can break them is the key to being a good writer. I’m not sure I believe that anymore (although this could be a growing pains type of thing). I was much happier as both a reader and a writer before I knew the rules because I was reading authors who didn’t follow rules. For example, a few of my favorite authors are head-hoppers. It’s something I used to do in my writing, and something I never even noticed until it was pointed out to me. But once it was, my reading went something like this…
She changed POV’s. Again. And Again. She’s breaking rules. Why can’t I break rules?
And so it goes. As time went on, I found authors who wrote athletes and rock stars and actors even though those topics are on the forbidden, no-editor-will-ever-touch-you-if-you-write- this, list. So I found myself increasingly annoyed with both people on lists who ranted about rules and with authors who broke them. Mainly, because I was told I wasn’t allowed to break them, that only established authors could get away with rule breaking. And that little voice in the back of my head would not shut up whenever I opened a book.
This trend followed me into other genres too, where, once again, the rules didn’t seem to matter. I’d hear agent/editor voices in my head – not realistic, we just bought something similiar, too many characters. I started seeing ‘rules’ in neon, flashing-light form: WARNING: BACKSTORY DUMP or, FLASHBACK AHEAD.
Apparently, both are no-no’s in the mystical kingdom of rules. Apparently, many bestsellers, romance and otherwise, have a plethora of both, and I used to enjoy both exposition and flashback scenes.
(The voices are getting louder…)
So I ask, when does analyzing stop and enjoyment begin? Is it possible, or is this an occupational hazard? Because now, this analysis has carried over to my own writing, and I have book reviewers voices in my head, can almost picture them looking over my shoulder: Oh look, another Navy SEAL with a tortured past. Another heroine who did something stupid. I’d never act that way in real life.
Argument from self: It’s not real life. It’s fantasy.
Argument from evil voice inside head: Mrs. Giggles thinks that argument’s weak and is ruining the genre. And she makes a compelling argument.
How do I stop the voices and get back to my happy place of writing? Can I get around the whole, you-can’t-please-everyone-all-the-time, syndrome? It’s getting too crowded in my head – the rule mongers, book reviewers, editor/agent comments – well, you get the picture.
I think Stephen King found the answer for me. In On Writing, he ponders the person he calls the Ideal Reader:
Do all opinions weigh the same?…If you’re writing primarily for one person besides yourself, I’d advise you to pay very close attention to that person’s opinion. And if what you hear makes sense, then make the changes. You can’t let the whole world into your story, but you can let in the ones that matter most. And you should… Call that one person the Ideal Reader. He or she is going to be in your writing room all the time: in the flesh once you open the door and let the world back in to shine on the bubble of your dream, in spirit during the sometimes troubling and often exhilarating first draft, when the door is closed.
Repeat after him: You can’t let the whole world into your story.
I think the voices just stopped. And maybe one day, I’ll actually get back to becoming someone’s Ideal Reader too.
No related posts.
Stephen King is a flipping genius.
That being said…
Rules are there for a reason.
Rules are meant to be broken.
Gee. Seems like you can’t win, huh?
We, as authors need to be careful about how much outside influence we let in. If we allow too much, then our manuscript is bloated–filled with items it didn’t need.
If we allow too little, then we’re stuck in our own little vacuum–no life.
Everybody has something to say about everything. Mr. King is right. Pick a person who you respect and who won’t shine you on or tell you what you want to hear.
We have choices. We can pattern ourselves after somebody, or we can trail blaze. One path may be safer. But why be a follower when you can be a leader?
The market changes on a dime. Be true to who you are and what you write. And if those voices aren’t helping, then SHUT THEM OUT.
Good writing will make it. Plain and simple. And not every bestseller will follow all the rules. You need your own set. For you. For your style.
If the voices keep popping in with rules whilst you’re trying to read for enjoyment–feed them some chocolate and tell them to hush.
Grins*
Whew! Another writer who loves Stephen King. Now I won’t have to worry so much about a restraining order because he thinks I have a psychotic crush on him . . .
Seriously, though, I’m in the same boat in one aspect — I do notice “the rules” more, but from an analytical way. I analyze the books I read far too much, and that gets in the way of my reading enjoyment. This isn’t to say that breaking the rules BOTHERS me, because it doesn’t unless it’s done poorly. It’s that I say, “Aw! She broke that rule here for this effect and it worked.” Or, “This scene is going on way too long — why?”
I have two reading problems now that I’m a writer. One, no time. I’d already given up the television in order to have writing time; with five kids I have very little reading time.
Two, I don’t finish every book I start.
Like movies, if I bought it, I want to finish it even if I don’t like it. But now, because of problem #1 (time), if I’m not sucked into the story by page 30-40, I put it aside and I don’t pick it up again. I MEAN to, but it doesn’t get done. That is more a curse for me than the “rules.”
Steph…I think every writer experiences this at one point or another. It’s a hazard of the trade.
If I’m analyzing and/or mentally editing a book while I’m reading it, then I know it’s not working for me as a reader, and I don’t bother finishing it. My enjoyment with a book begins when it really draws me in, to the point that I stop analyzing and editing, and am only interested in finding out what happens next. I believe the voices in the head are invariably the direct result of information overload. Eventually, as Crystal said, I think one just has to shut them out and trust one’s own instincts as a writer.
I knew I’d crossed over to the Dark Side as a reader when my best friend (we used to read many of the same books, and now she’s my Ideal Reader, too) told me “don’t read this, the headhopping will crack open your skull.”
I about died laughing at first, and then smiled because I’d corrupted my non-writer friend with writing craft elements, and then became rather solemn. She’d enjoyed the book as a light entertaining read despite the problems, and knew me well enough to know I’d rage at what she could overlook.
I used to read for entertainment. Once I seriously committed to writing, I gave up reading. I just didn’t have the time, and reading was so much less enjoyable once I’d struggled with a few craft things myself. I think last year I read less than ten books.
Now, I’m trying to read regularly for analysis. Not as a rule-monger, but to sincerely learn what worked and what didn’t. If the “rules” were broken, did it work? And why?
I love King’s “On Writing” and I need to pull it out again. I think it’s time for me to murder some of my own beloved darlings.
I hear a lot of writers say this, but honestly, it hasnt happened to me yet. And I don’t expect it to. In fact, I’ve been turned on to new to me authors since I started writing (Christine Feehan for instance) and the mechanics just don’t bother me. I know she “head hops” but it doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book.
I just love a good story and great characters. Whether the author head hops, uses lyrical, purple or orange prose is irrelevant and takes a back seat to how the story unfolds.
I am much more likely to cry foul or toss a book into the rubbish bin over plot holes or moronic characters.
Crystal – I’m going to try the chocolate-bribe thing *g*
Rebecca – you and Crystal are right – it is about TMI and finding balance – I’m trying
Allison – add my name to that restraining order.:wink:
Joely Sue – I ruined one of my non-writer friend’s ‘reading for pleasure’ by pointing out ‘rules.’ She’s ready to kill me – but hey, I had to share the misery.
Sharon – I so want to get back to that point. I just don’t even want to notice anything anymore except the story.
Breaking some rules all comes down to the author’s skill for me. Nora Roberts head-hops alllll the time. Most of the time, she does it so skillfully that, if I notice it at all, it’s only a superficial note. Some other writers are so ham-handed with their POV shifts that the action stops for me because I have to figure out which character said what. That can make or break a book for me. The whole bit about no sports figures, actors, etc., never made sense to me. I love sports and get a kick out of sports heroes. Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes the best sports heroes with her Chicago Stars football players or her golfers, IMHO. (And I don’t even like golf!) A newer author, Deirdre Martin, does a great job with hockey player heroes. So, that’s one supposed rule that I’ve always hated.
My publisher is pretty open-minded and wants ‘out of the box’ stories. Maybe in a future book I can pitch a retired baseball player who becomes a rock star and then gives it up to pursue an acting career to protect the heroine. *g*
Steph, I think we’ve discussed this before, and boy, do I know where you’re coming from. Unless a story grabs me hard, I tend to analyze it from a writer’s perspective rather than from a reader’s.
And ever since I took a scriptwriting course, I can’t watch movies in the same way, either! LOL
I love Stephen King. I also find this happening with my own reading since I began writing more seriously a few years ago. I keep pointing out the things wrong with the story and how it is written as I go along. I even do it with the good books, but then that is more my saying, “Why can’t I write like that?” or “That passage was really well written.” That even throws me off a little, and it takes me a bit to get back into the story.
I feel there are no rules if what you write works. It all boils down to whether the reader keeps turning the page or not. If you head hop and it doesn’t bother the person reading then it is fine. I’m really not sure where all these rules came from. I love to read but have had so little time lately. I hope to get back to it when my life settles down but then I read slowly and it takes me a while to get through a book. If I start analyzing a story, then there is a problem because it has stopped me and pulled me out.
I went through this phase. I was newly published, scared, unsettled. Know enough… but not quite enough. Don’t worry. You are still a reader at heart. The stories which captivated you before will still captivate you.
I’m not published (yet
), but I do this with a lot of the books I read. Some things don’t bother me too much, but I recently threw a book at the wall where the characters kept “grinning wolfishly” and “moaning slowly”
First of all – Mrs. Giggles should not be in your head. Get her out of there — right now.
Second – I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I was doing the same thing, and then I realized … I suck at critiquing. So, I quit. Problem solved. I can read happily again.
Mary Stella – Pitch that book immediately!!
Gina & Larissa – I know, I know *g*
Margaret & Kate – thanks for the encouragement. It’s nice to know that it gets better.
Jaynie – at least they weren’t hissing:wink:
Cindy – I’m trying to push all the voices out. My TBR pile is huge, and there are some books in there I know I’m going to love if I can settle down.
It’s all anyone’s guess. Just that there can be a debate on all this says there really are no rules, just guidelines. The only rule is to please the person who can get your story published — and hate to say it — that’s largely a matter of luck.
My ideal reader is a guy friend of mine. To be honest, I’ve never written a romance, but I’d like to some day. It might kill my friend to read that! Seriously, he gets me so when he tells me something is off: I listen!
I’m right there with you. But my problems isn’t so much invoking the “Rules” into what I read as much as reading something and thinking, “Sheesh. My CPs would never have let me get away with that.”
I think this is something anybody who’s ever taken something they enjoy and made a business out of it experiences at one time or another. Because it’s work, some of the entertainment factor initially disappears. But somewhere along the way, you’ll find a balance and be able to read for entertainment again. I hope.
I’ve also read a non-writer generally senses when a “Rule” has been broken. But unlike a writer, they can’t put their finger on the problem. They just know the book’s not working for them. We writers can give that problem a name. But whether a reader or a writer, the end result is still a bit of frustration melded with dissatisfaction.