tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post4329212672265158720..comments2023-08-16T07:15:32.801-04:00Comments on BookingIt: Rule Number One: Don't Bore Your ReaderJessica Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-80007849583915477222011-02-22T13:07:57.806-05:002011-02-22T13:07:57.806-05:00Yup. I've put down many books because I get an...Yup. I've put down many books because I get annoyed or see how it's going to end by page 50. <br /><br />Good choice to pass it along. Life is too short to read a book you're not enjoying.kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-70558659392737131292011-02-21T21:09:11.535-05:002011-02-21T21:09:11.535-05:00Ooooh, good point, Mary!
Lynn, skimming is a very...Ooooh, good point, Mary!<br /><br />Lynn, skimming is a very bad sign. LOL <br /><br />Hahaa, Nancy, I have a plot with that in it, though it's not the crux of the story. Point well taken! :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-17646272297397098382011-02-21T13:44:34.619-05:002011-02-21T13:44:34.619-05:00Rule # 3 for me would be make me feel something.
I...Rule # 3 for me would be make me feel something.<br />I don't care if you make me angry or make my cry, but make me care.Mary Curryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04173540875518117671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-39956164618390266792011-02-21T11:42:28.219-05:002011-02-21T11:42:28.219-05:00Predictable plots are annoying. I agree with every...Predictable plots are annoying. I agree with everyone's number 3's here. I'd say make sure, especially if self-publishing, you hire a good editor! Repetitive words, dialogue that all sounds the same, and too much information (love Jill's point on this) make skimmers out of readers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-54813212545007998252011-02-18T19:22:43.367-05:002011-02-18T19:22:43.367-05:00If your plot involves the hero or heroine not read...If your plot involves the hero or heroine not reading the other person's letters/messages for whatever reason, get a new plot. That one is old and unrealistic.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-18968465637363260472011-02-17T21:00:49.660-05:002011-02-17T21:00:49.660-05:00Eek, Stephanie, I hate when there's too many c...Eek, Stephanie, I hate when there's too many characters. It really makes it hard to get into the story.<br /><br />Everyone, I love, love reading your comments! Thank you for chiming in!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-26114025432591913332011-02-17T20:04:16.751-05:002011-02-17T20:04:16.751-05:00Did your blog layout change? I love it, either way...Did your blog layout change? I love it, either way!<br /><br />Mine would be: "Don't confuse your reader." I just had to take a book back to the library mostly unread because there were just too many characters, too much going on, and I didn't care to try to unravel it all.Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-42539837296646222262011-02-17T15:45:26.223-05:002011-02-17T15:45:26.223-05:00Great post, Jessica!
I don't have a rule numb...Great post, Jessica!<br /><br />I don't have a rule number three--just a ditto on the ones people already submitted.<br /><br />Glad I'm not the only one who gets annoyed with some of the stuff that's being published out there!Cheryl Linn Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18304465472148231422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-49676837724365049882011-02-17T13:19:22.902-05:002011-02-17T13:19:22.902-05:00I've read books like this too. Frustrating!
R...I've read books like this too. Frustrating!<br /><br />Rule #3: Assume your reader is intelligent. <br /><br />Enough said!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-64669162249692559112011-02-17T10:02:57.757-05:002011-02-17T10:02:57.757-05:00Rule #3: Don't mislead your reader.
There...Rule #3: Don't mislead your reader. <br /><br />There's nothing more frustrating than reading a scene at the beginning of a book, getting invested in a character and starting to like them, only to have them die the next page. FRUSTRATING. Or, better yet, following them through an action packed amazing experience in the first few pages, only to realize it was a dream. HEH.<br /><br />So yeah...that's where I stop reading. <br /><br />Great post as always, BQE! ;-)anitanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-23203844090909596482011-02-16T22:03:38.371-05:002011-02-16T22:03:38.371-05:00Be honest when you write. Don't cheat your rea...Be honest when you write. Don't cheat your reader like when the "dead" character somehow comes back and saves the day, kills someone, or has all the answers. Booo!Linda Glazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04374683352435771715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-45481271853397560102011-02-16T15:10:21.444-05:002011-02-16T15:10:21.444-05:00Hi Jess -
I've partially read several annoyin...Hi Jess -<br /><br />I've partially read several annoying/boring books over the last year. It's rare I don't finish a book, but I bailed out of these.<br /><br />A major annoyance: When there are too many twists, and I'm ready to say, "the end already!"<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-29402633513169870122011-02-16T14:28:47.544-05:002011-02-16T14:28:47.544-05:00I think you hit the nail on the head, believabilit...I think you hit the nail on the head, believability!! It's hard and I think something we need to practice at. Great post Jessica. I really think everyone should know this!Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-88766082429373972322011-02-16T13:58:14.918-05:002011-02-16T13:58:14.918-05:00Oh man, that old misunderstanding plot line. I hat...Oh man, that old misunderstanding plot line. I hate it! When a simple conversation will clear up the entire conflict...it's not much of a plot. I always think, "if your relationship is so bad that you can't even talk about things...maybe it's not worth reading this book."Sandra Rose Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560149963030956194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-52150431209498880072011-02-16T13:39:41.055-05:002011-02-16T13:39:41.055-05:00I'm so with Wendy on rule #3.I'm so with Wendy on rule #3.Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-87458352475112184782011-02-16T10:37:19.942-05:002011-02-16T10:37:19.942-05:00Patti, thanks for chiming in!
Karen, absolutely g...Patti, thanks for chiming in!<br /><br />Karen, absolutely get back to me. :-) Also, I totally think you're right about subjectivity. In fact, I'm not convinced that the writer did anything wrong, craft-wise. I half to wonder if it's just me, you know? Because I'd heard good reviews, so I know other people liked the story alot.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-20159971946936518732011-02-16T10:35:51.437-05:002011-02-16T10:35:51.437-05:00Georgiana, yep, I've heard that advice before!...Georgiana, yep, I've heard that advice before! Good stuff. :-)<br /><br />Erica, well said. I think I would've been fine if the character saw the irony in the situation. And maybe she did later...I don't know though. I feel so guilty for not reading more! :-(<br /><br />Yes, I like that as a rule #3 too. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-65193989706343998582011-02-16T10:35:18.343-05:002011-02-16T10:35:18.343-05:00I'm with you. I don't want to be bored or ...I'm with you. I don't want to be bored or annoyed. It's frustrating to try and work through a book that does that. But I have to wonder if some of this perception is in the eye of the beholder. Like maybe it just doesn't suit my tastes or something. Okay, but then I have read some that were just plain lousy and you wonder how they ever got published...<br /><br />As for Rule Three, can I get back to you? :o)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />KarenKaren Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-65892502924810745872011-02-16T10:35:10.609-05:002011-02-16T10:35:10.609-05:00I like that "Trust your reader" and &quo...I like that "Trust your reader" and "Don't spell everything out for them" I like being surprised.<br /><br />I would have put that book down as well.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-63198232831435179332011-02-16T10:34:18.005-05:002011-02-16T10:34:18.005-05:00LOL Rita! I think that would fall beneath #2, no a...LOL Rita! I think that would fall beneath #2, no annoying the reader! heeheee! Of course, if the reader throws the book but then has to see what happens next so he/she picks it up again...that might not be a bad thing. *grin*<br /><br />D.U. Very true. No conflict, no story, imo.<br /><br />Linda, I always think surprise is an effective hook. :-)Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-86482618787863532072011-02-16T10:32:33.854-05:002011-02-16T10:32:33.854-05:00Wendy and Lisa, yes, Rule Number 3, Trust your Rea...Wendy and Lisa, yes, Rule Number 3, Trust your Reader. :-) Good craft tips also, Lisa! Thanks.<br /><br />Hahaha, Kathy! What a way to turn it to positive. :-)<br /><br />LOL Sarah. After I read this post I realized I should probably have a "Do" post since this one's in the negative. You're absolutely right. If we don't feel the MC's emotions, then we don't care what happens.Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-52996024769973178182011-02-16T10:29:45.071-05:002011-02-16T10:29:45.071-05:00I think you can have your character accusing her h...I think you can have your character accusing her husband of something she's done herself, but at least have her conflicted about it. :) As humans, we can hold tightly to two opposite ideas at the same time, but if we don't realize we're doing it and if it doesn't cause us some consternation, then we become a frustration to others (readers.) <br /><br />Rule #3...I like what was stated above about trusting the reader and not doing a backstory dump.Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772984806574666959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-55172736129556863002011-02-16T10:01:35.219-05:002011-02-16T10:01:35.219-05:00I totally agree!!! A misunderstanding is not a tru...I totally agree!!! A misunderstanding is not a true conflict. If a situation can be resolved with a conversation, then it's not enough to carry a whole book.Georgiana Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08148430180111786272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-85536335234105203282011-02-16T09:30:24.967-05:002011-02-16T09:30:24.967-05:00Lots of reviews for my books said how some of the ...Lots of reviews for my books said how some of the scenes surprised them and I think that's what most readers like, they don't want to guess every detail, they want a little shock.<br /><br />But annoying a reader is really bad, I agree. I do tend to stop reading stories where characters are being too stupid.Linda Kagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00259042112816376940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5429542410238239360.post-37642412254573577972011-02-16T09:08:37.456-05:002011-02-16T09:08:37.456-05:00i think the best way to not to bore your reader is...i think the best way to not to bore your reader is to have tension / conflict on every page and have likable characters. Not always an easy thing to do though! :o)D. U. Okonkwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900694425526387930noreply@blogger.com