I'm reading a book by a very well known American author. I won't drop names because no matter how famous you are, I imagine that criticism still hurts.
Now, don't get me wrong. The story is great. I love reading it and I keep going because it's a provocative, engaging story. The thing that is driving me nuts is the fact that she 'head hops' like crazy. From paragraph to paragraph, I'm in someone else's head. It's not confusing. I'm very clear where I am, but I was under the impression that head hopping is a big 'no no.'
I've decided that the rules only to apply to those of us who's names aren't in neon yet. That just sucks. It's not fair that famous people can write so sloppy, but the rest of us have to be meticulous. We have to work and stress and fix and be perfect or we're rejected! Argg! It's so dang unfair, but like I say to my son, "Who ever said life would be fair? Get used to it. It's all down hill from here." LOL
Normally, I'm not so pessimistic, but honestly, life isn't fair. It wasn't meant to be or we wouldn't learn a dang thing. It's through those hard times that we learn the greatest lessons. Gosh dang it!
So, when I'm a rich and famous author and my books have all been made into films, I'll be able to make all the mistakes I want, and it won't matter. Some other schmuck can wonder why I get away with it!
15 comments:
That's too bad, huh? Money and fame usually always afford someone more freedom than the rest of society. This is why those in power work very hard to protect their elite club. All we can do is keep writing and doing our best! ;)
don't worry one day u will be able to head hop too and people will say Crikey! she is a genius. I think its all just how we are able to pull it off. If i head hopped right now I would confuse myself not to talk of the readers, but as soon as I get better I can develop my own style.
Totally hit the nail on the head. Some big-namers could type the phone book and pre-sell a million copies.
I remember reading a big-name writer and HATING the book. The writer was totally resting on their laurels and wrote a crappy book. But it was published, because they had a NAME to plaster across the cover.
I'd just gotten a rejection and knew in my heart that my book was better than this crap. But I didn't have a name.
It's not fair at all.
I read a book by a famous author that broke many of the rules as well. Ugh, why do they get away with it? Well, I guess because they can.
CD
Mark Twain's later books were pretty much garbage, and I think he was so famous that he didn't take editing well so his publisher just let him do whatever. Too bad, or he could have left a greater legacy than just Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
That bugs me too. But now that I am disciplined about point of view or head hopping, I don't intend to go back. I am a much better writer because of it. I know you are too.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
Awww, be better than that Melissa. I look forward to your TANUB.
David- I will be. I just can't go backward from what I learned. I don't ever want to be a sloppy writer. Was just feeling pissy this morning. LOL
that can be frustrating, but I know you'd NEVER do that... ;p
Nope, not fair. Totally with you on that one. My story originally had tons of head hopping. And now we're down to two characters. Let's just say it's easier to tell a story with lots of head hopping.
But we want to write a memorable book--and that means showing the story... ;)
Karen's point is very interesting. I didn't even know he wrote other books!
but yes it bugs me too! we should all follow the same rules!
LOL!! I often think that! How true! I'm reading a story that breaks all the rules drummed in me as a very amateurish wannabe writer and I'm thinking ?!?!?!.
LOL!
Take care
x
I hate it when I get suckered into a book that breaks the rules like crazy. It's arrogant and talks down to me, the reader, as if I'm stupid...well, duh, not stupid enough to buy anything by that author again.
I feel your frustration. I'm not published; I barely have time to write, but when I do sit down and work on my projects I write so circumspectly out of concern for all the rules I'm probably breaking. I guess I should just be worried about telling a story in the best way possible (which often includes all the 'rules').
Early books are nearly always more "writer perfect" than later ones, I think. After you've built a name, people will buy your books no matter what, so less attention gets paid to the details. You're also locked into contracts so you have to produce to deadline. All of it makes a difference. Or so I've been told.
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