I Can't Read
Wednesday, March 25. 2009
No, I can't read. Not the way I used to, anyway.
Harry Turtledove has long been one of my favorite authors. I've always enjoyed his writing and his stories. But I cracked open a new Turtledove novel last night, and I couldn't make it through the first chapter without wanting to "fix" things.
There was flat dialogue. There was exposition of the "as you know, John" variety. There was repetitive word use. In short, there were several aspects of the writing which I identified as technical flaws, as elements I try to avoid in my own writing. I'm afraid I wasn't able to finish the chapter; I set the book aside with the intent to try again later.
Now, this experience—which is by no means unique to this one book—has several possible implications.- Perhaps I'm holding myself to too high a standard in my own writing. If so, good. I'd rather be too rigorous than be a slacker.
- Perhaps it's easier to get published than I'd been telling myself. Technically, I can write at least as well as some of my favorite successful authors. If I'm any good at storytelling, I ought to have a decent shot at selling a novel.
- I may have destroyed my ability to disengage the writing part of my brain and simply enjoy reading a good story.
It's the last point that concerns me, not only because successful authors must be avid readers, but also because I simply enjoy reading. I'd hate to think that my primary ambition—writing well—is incompatible with one of my dearest hobbies.
I'll be on a cruise ship next week, and while I'll of course have my netbook along to do some writing on my current novel, I'll also have to pick a book to bring for lounging on deck. I'd hoped Harry would provide some nice "summer-ish" reading material, and perhaps he still will, once my attitude has been suitably adjusted in preparation for cruising. Still, I'll audition another hopeful tonight and see if it's something I can read with a less critical eye. Hmm, Stephen King's The Stand (unabridged) is in my "to read" pile...oh, don't get me started...
No, I can't read. Not the way I used to, anyway.
Harry Turtledove has long been one of my favorite authors. I've always enjoyed his writing and his stories. But I cracked open a new Turtledove novel last night, and I couldn't make it through the first chapter without wanting to "fix" things.
There was flat dialogue. There was exposition of the "as you know, John" variety. There was repetitive word use. In short, there were several aspects of the writing which I identified as technical flaws, as elements I try to avoid in my own writing. I'm afraid I wasn't able to finish the chapter; I set the book aside with the intent to try again later.
Now, this experience—which is by no means unique to this one book—has several possible implications.
I'll be on a cruise ship next week, and while I'll of course have my netbook along to do some writing on my current novel, I'll also have to pick a book to bring for lounging on deck. I'd hoped Harry would provide some nice "summer-ish" reading material, and perhaps he still will, once my attitude has been suitably adjusted in preparation for cruising. Still, I'll audition another hopeful tonight and see if it's something I can read with a less critical eye. Hmm, Stephen King's The Stand (unabridged) is in my "to read" pile...oh, don't get me started...
Harry Turtledove has long been one of my favorite authors. I've always enjoyed his writing and his stories. But I cracked open a new Turtledove novel last night, and I couldn't make it through the first chapter without wanting to "fix" things.
There was flat dialogue. There was exposition of the "as you know, John" variety. There was repetitive word use. In short, there were several aspects of the writing which I identified as technical flaws, as elements I try to avoid in my own writing. I'm afraid I wasn't able to finish the chapter; I set the book aside with the intent to try again later.
Now, this experience—which is by no means unique to this one book—has several possible implications.
- Perhaps I'm holding myself to too high a standard in my own writing. If so, good. I'd rather be too rigorous than be a slacker.
- Perhaps it's easier to get published than I'd been telling myself. Technically, I can write at least as well as some of my favorite successful authors. If I'm any good at storytelling, I ought to have a decent shot at selling a novel.
- I may have destroyed my ability to disengage the writing part of my brain and simply enjoy reading a good story.
I'll be on a cruise ship next week, and while I'll of course have my netbook along to do some writing on my current novel, I'll also have to pick a book to bring for lounging on deck. I'd hoped Harry would provide some nice "summer-ish" reading material, and perhaps he still will, once my attitude has been suitably adjusted in preparation for cruising. Still, I'll audition another hopeful tonight and see if it's something I can read with a less critical eye. Hmm, Stephen King's The Stand (unabridged) is in my "to read" pile...oh, don't get me started...
TRex on :
Then it is only up from there.
CJ on :
Brent on :
[Sorry, private joke -- Who did frame Roger Rabbit?]
I've been really busy everywhere but online for the month of April. Now it's May, I'll try to catch up with the real world right here in cyberspace.