All Those Bad Books!

>I don't say there are a lot of bad books out there, but I do believe publishers are catering mainly to certain groups and all but ignoring some of us. I only started writing because I could rarely find the kinds of books that I wish to read.

>YES!

Though I'll admit it took me a while to learn this one

>The only "bad book" is mine that's not published. I only wish I had one out there so people could criticize it.

>Amen. I take great pleasure in saying I enjoyed The DaVinci Code (which I did) when I'm in a room full of artistes. What's "worthy" is purely subjective. Also, when you down a writer because of the (so-called) dreck he or she produces, you're also downing all the readers who enjoy reading that person. I really believe there's enough room for all of us. And playing nice in the sandbox is good for everyone.

>Even if a book doesn't appeal to me I do try and find something positive within the pages, because there invariably is something there. Just because I'm not engaged with a story (for whatever reason), doesn't mean I can't learn something from it.

Also, having written a novel, I do appreciate the hard work that goes into creating a story from start to finish and would be reluctant to dismiss another's efforts.

>One of the reasons I love being published by Ellora's Cave is the absolute professionalism of everyone who writes for the company.
Professionalism is essential, I think. I review, as well as write, but I'm always careful to review that book, not the author, and if I don't like it, I state the specific reasons, because someone else may well love it for the same reasons.

>Here here Rachelle,

While competition is an imperative part of progression….our competition should always be ourselves. We are on our own road of progress and should always strive to make this book better than the last…this blog better than the first. As I keep this in mind it helps to regulate that prideful banter that sometimes enters my thoughts.

>I definitely agree that being overly negative can reflect badly on wannabe writers (like me!) regardless of intent. It's not that you have to claim to love everything you read, but being more specific can help. Instead is saying "It's dreck and I hated it" you can say "It moved too slowly and the characters didn't hold my Interest." It's so easy to think you could do better, but when you write and rewrite your own novel you see how hard it really is.

>Mike, you make an interesting point, but I think it's important to distinguish between two types of "rules." Prose style rules are a crucial way for most of us to learn to write stronger, more interesting prose. Hey, it's not just writing groups who think so. Look at Strunk and White. The rules of good style have been around for a long time. Those rules eliminate wordiness and encourage variety in our lexicons. Of course, they can be taken too far. Sometimes when we're writing in close third, our characters are going to think in ways that do not reflect perfect style. But I have benefitted from the rules of good prose style, and so have most writers I know. Those who follow style rules tend to produce better writing, not worse.

The question of formulaic plots and characters is different. But we have to be fair to other writers and understand a couple of things. First, it's not always the writer's choice to write to a formula. Sometimes, a publishing house contracts a novel and then afterwards asks the writer to push her story towards formula in order to appeal to a certain audience. The writer has the option to either do it or walk away from the contract. We should not disrespect writers who work hard, even if a certain writer's material differs from our individual taste. Instead, we should support them even more, knowing that it can be hard and frustrating to be asked to write to formula. In addition, the idea of "formula" is relative. Literary fiction writers think all genre fiction is formulaic. American literary realists got into trouble in the late nineteeth century for not wrapping up their plots in neat little packages at the end. Most screenplays are written to a page-numbered formula so strict that novelists cringe when we hear about it. So yes, formula exists, but everyone has a different level of tolerance for how much of it we enjoy. So we need to remember that as writers, we're all working with a unique set of reader tastes, goals, and requirements from our publishers, and show some compassion for all situations. If we don't, Providence may decide to serve us up some humble pie one day, in the form of a particularly difficult project.

>I've stopped complaining about all the bad books. My learning curve has been somewhat slow, but I've finally realized how arrogant that is. Besides, what's bad to me might be awesome to someone else.

>Okay, I admit — in the past, I've been one of those whiny complainers. I recall more than one occasion in which I finished a book, put it down, and exclaimed haughtily to my husband, "Seriously? How did that book get published? No fair!"

But here is the key line that is making me change my tune:

"And we need to acknowledge that if a "bad book" is selling, there must be people who like it."

Who am I to judge what's "good" and what's not? There are a lot of readers out there…all with different tastes.

I'm stepping down from my self-righteous high horse! Thanks for telling it like it is, Rachelle.

>Very well said, Ms. Gardner. I recently chastised myself for doing this very thing and resolved to be more respectful of the work that writers go through. But I think the distinction you make between an honest review/critique and just complaining is a good one. It's absolutely acceptable to give a respectful review or critique, even if it's a bit subjective, as long as "respectful" is the operative word.

Amy

>I wonder why we think it's necessary to express our opinion at all.

We may not always realize the effect of making negative comments but most of us can remember being the recipient of unintentionally hurtful words. I like Thumper's mother's reminder: "If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all."

Have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas, Rachelle.

>I'm with you on this one. My critique of fellow writers has softened considerably over the years, especially now that I see how much work is poured into a novel. In fact I've posted about this before. And yeah, life's too short not to read good books. I'm not afraid to put a book down if I'm not feeling it. There are too many good ones out there that require my attention.

>Good advice Rachelle.
Also I want to thank you for taking the time to go through some of these oldie but goodie posts and recycling them.

>I agree that these types of complaints sound like jealousy. It's more productive to analyze what made a book popular — what resonated with readers. It's foolish to think that an extremely popular book is dreck when so many people have enjoyed it. I'm not saying to emulate the formula — but to be cognizant that the writer got something right.

>This is wonderful and I totally agree. I've always loved books and loved writing, and even if I didn't like a book I still knew that someone out there must like it. This business is so subjective, so we can't really say what makes a book good or bad- we all have our own opinions. Once I started blogging I realized how tight this community is. I would never think of bashing someone's writing or book. We all are struggling to make the best book out there, and we're all in the same boat. Respect is key in this business.

>I think it's a case of everything in it's proper place, plus an understanding of the subjectivity of people in general. For example, if I'm writing reviews on my Examiner.com page, I could be negative, but I tend to pick books I like for review. There are so many good ones that this takes all my time. If I really don't like a book, I simply don't review it. I recognize the fact that there are probably a lot of people, plus the editor and publishing house, who did like the book, because not everyone likes the same stuff.

In my writing critique group, we're open, but not malicious, about what we do or do not like about other books. We feel this helps us grow as writers. This is done in a small group, however, and our opinions stay there (except the ones I share with my spouse).

In my reading group, I can let my hair down a little. I don't come to the group as a writer, but entirely as a reader, since the books are adult books, and I write for children. Generally, the group members find aspects they both like and dislike about every book. An example of this would be one book that I felt was the best written book I'd read in awhile. In spite of this, I disliked the story because it was very dark, and not up my alley. The author had great skill. I just didn't care for her application of it. That's why publishers publish different books. We all have different tastes.

But I do agree that it sounds bad when a writer grumbles about the bad books. It's not unlike someone grumbling about bad mechanics, bad lawyers, bad teachers, etc. When it comes right down to it, it doesn't do any good, and it just highlights the negative. Life is so short and there are so many great books out there. Let's look for the good and put the spotlight there!

>Absolutely agree, Rachelle. One reason my blog only reviews books I recommend is that I find positive reviews much more rewarding to write and more useful than negative ones. There are plenty of books I don't want to read, but I love it when someone I respect tells me why I SHOULD read one – I'm likely to buy it the same day. In addition, only reviewing the "good ones" keeps me positive and sends a great message to the writers whose books I do recommend (and thre are a lot of them!)

>So true. the unfortunate thing about becoming a writer, is that you suddenly think you know what you're talking about. (or at least you tell yourself that)

I find it really hard to read other peoples work now, because I'm learning about all the mistakes I'm making, and I see it in their work–then I cringe.

But, it boils down to cold, hard, green-eyed jealousy. I want to be published too!!! However, I only criticise in my head, and with a slight roll of the eye. When I give a review, it is constructive, informative and light-hearted. I always point out what I like. I hope others do the same.

>Yes, most definitely! We should all be striving to do our best as well as encouraging each other. We're all at diff points of our writing journey, and some of the "liking" is pretty subjective anyway, or whether something is "well written."

>I find the opposite has become true for me – I'm much more open to reading what I may have considered a "poorly written," or "bad," book than I was before my books were published. Because I know writing the book is hard work, yes, but all the 'stuff' that comes after it is difficult and stressful.

My hat's off to those who put their heads down, write their books, and then are slung out into the world with their face bared to whatever will come.

>Great post, Rachelle. Before I started writing with commitment I might have tossed a book aside with: "Huh, anyone could write that." Now I know better and I admire anyone with the guts to finish a novel, let alone find a publisher. Good on them.

>Rachelle,Your post makes me wonder, why are writer’s bothering to read bad books anyway? Personally, I only read bestselling authors: Gaiman, Koontz, Collins, Rowlings, Sachar…I read to learn the craft. I figure the best way to learn the craft is to read work from the best authors, the great authors. The bestselling stories.I don’t window shop books. I research them on Goodreads and Amazon, check the word count, check the genre, find out who the author is and what else they’ve done.What I write will reflect what I read. So I don’t bother with anything that’s not written by a bestselling author. That doesn’t mean I’ll be a bestselling writer, but it certainly must increase the odds (at least more so than someone who’s reading bad books).I agree, we shouldn’t complain about bad books. In fact, we shouldn’t even be reading them.

>I agree completely. I also think even if I dislike a book, but lots and lots of other people, there is still something to be learned from it.