I haven’t mentioned it on my blogs. I’m not even sure if I mentioned it to my friends.

If they’re missing the boat, I want them to know, so they can correct the problem — especially if it’s something that’s shown up in more than one book. I respect my favorites enough not to B.S. them. If the author can fix the problem, s/he pretty much can be assured I’ll buy his/her next book.

Two bad books in a row is probably my bad-book threshhold. After that, I won’t spend any more of my hard-earned money on an author.

It’s tough, though, because the standard advice I’ve seen is to write the very best book you can right from the top. Don’t pitch the book as “the first of a series” or anything; make sure it’s the best book it can be all by itself. Then if it sells and does well enough, that’s the time to think about the whole series thing.

But if you do that, it can be difficult to do that planning ahead. :/ Or maybe you should do the planning but write the first book so that it doesn’t show, and don’t tell your prospective agent…? LOL!

Angie

When asked, I share my honest opinion–good or bad–about a title. When it comes to books that didn’t meet my expectations, I try to recommend something else by the same author, especially if it’s someone who’s work I follow. As a reader, I appreciate critical reviews, and I occasionally buy a book because of critical review–it all depends on what the reviewer says is wrong.

Does anyone else have a “bad book” threshold? If someone writes three or four in a row that don’t work for me, I usually take them off my TBR list.

Those that read my blog know of my ups and downs, and I try never to be mean or nasty when I didn’t care for a book. But I definitely believe that a favorite author can carry a series way too far, and that some of my faves can become way too formulaic. Plus, it’s gotta be damn hard to hit a home run every time you go to the plate. It definitely doesn’t stop me from picking up the next book. That author became a favorite for a good reason. One misstep doesn’t bring the whole thing crashing down. Most of the readers I know feel the same way.

Jules — Thanks for the info. It’s good to know they’ll at least wrap it up. I hate it when a series stops before the end, especially one as long as Jordan’s.

Chessie — I think it’s a little bit of both. I write the stories I want to write … but I also hope to be paid for them … and bring enjoyment to other people. Rowling has brought so much joy to so many. I think it would be a shame if she completely stopped.

I’m all for writing, but when she started the series she was struggling financially and trying to raise her children, now, she can write for them without worrying about the money.

And if she never shows it to anyone, she doesn’t have to worry about the world either, only entertaining herself and her kids/grandkids eventually.

Maybe I’m a just a writer recluse at heart.

But that brings up an interesting point. Do we write for ourselves, or others. I don’t envy her position. Yes, I write because I have to, yes I would love to be paid for that, but the thing that drives me has absolutely nothing to do with the public eye. In fact, the more I can stay out of the public eye, (as in international crazy fame) the better.

If the whole world were demanding I write something for them, I’d have little motivation to do it, especially knowing they would only be nasty about it no matter what.