Looking back at the posts in this series, I'm starting to get a complex about being wayyyyy too picky with my reading. Thankfully, I'm running out of reasons why I stop reading books, so I'm going to finish this series with a final post on why readers might stop reading … [Read more...] about What Killed It For Me #8: Personal Preferences
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What Killed It For Me, #7: Issues with Sequels
I started this series talking about issues in books that pretty much everyone can agree are a problem: weak writing, clichéd characters, unclear character goals, etc. Last week's post on Action Openings was a little more subjective, and today's pet peeve is going to be more so. It has to do … [Read more...] about What Killed It For Me, #7: Issues with Sequels
What Killed it For Me #6: Action Too Early
It's likely that we've all encountered these stories—the ones that open with an explosion, plague, car chase, alien abduction, fist fight, or other volatile scene involving a main character that we know virtually nothing about. And for certain genres (thrillers, action, etc.), this can work. But … [Read more...] about What Killed it For Me #6: Action Too Early
What Killed it For Me #5: Weak Writing
Today I want to talk about one of the most common reasons I stop reading: weak writing. I’ve been putting this one off because 1) it’s highly subjective, and 2) it’s not a simple fix. By definition, weak writing is writing that weakens the story or narrative—annoying things that jump out at me … [Read more...] about What Killed it For Me #5: Weak Writing
What Killed It For Me #4: Clichéd Characters
It's hard to come up with characters who are believable yet don't sound like every other character out there. It's especially easy to fall into this trap with certain archetypes, like witty sidekicks or wise old mentors. Unfortunately, a recent book that I started had a whole cast of clichés: the … [Read more...] about What Killed It For Me #4: Clichéd Characters
What Killed It For Me #3: Too Much Going On
And now, for the latest book I gave up on. This one was a fantasy and there were like five books in the series, so I figured it would be good. And it WAS very promising. But it was also very confusing. Set in a make-believe world, it was based on a unique and fantastical element, contained an … [Read more...] about What Killed It For Me #3: Too Much Going On
What Killed it for Me #2: Characters Who Aren’t Endearing
For my first post in this series, I focused on a common reason that readers might stop reading: Lack of a Clear Goal. If the main character doesn’t have a goal, or if it’s not revealed early on, readers don’t know where the story’s headed and may end up losing interest. Today, I’m going to talk … [Read more...] about What Killed it for Me #2: Characters Who Aren’t Endearing
Books I Didn’t Finish, AKA, What Killed it For Me
I like keeping lists. And I like books. So I guess it makes sense that I have a lot of book lists. Books To Read, Books I've Finished, Books I Want to Buy, and possibly the most informative one: Books I Didn't Finish. As a reader, it happens quite frequently that I'll start a book, and for … [Read more...] about Books I Didn’t Finish, AKA, What Killed it For Me
What Can the Best Metaphors in Literature Teach Us About Writing?
A big hello and welcome to Savannah Cardova from Reedsy today. She's got some terrific advice (and resources) on Metaphors, so read on! Life is a highway. Love is a battlefield. All the world’s a stage. Hope is the thing with feathers. If you’re familiar with these expressions, you already … [Read more...] about What Can the Best Metaphors in Literature Teach Us About Writing?
Want Memorable Characters? Focus on the Little Things
I love building characters. In fact, “building” is apt, because for me, they come a piece at a time. A brick or two might lock into place as I wrestle with that hateful night demon, Insomnia. Another may manifest with morning coffee or as I scarf down a non-food pyramid approved lunch. But … [Read more...] about Want Memorable Characters? Focus on the Little Things
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: Accidentally Killing Someone
Sourced from The Emotional Wound Thesaurus EXAMPLESDriving a car in which a passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist is killedUnknowingly serving food to someone who’s highly allergic to itA child consuming a fatal dose of medication while in one’s careA child drowning in one’s pool or tubKilling … [Read more...] about The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: Accidentally Killing Someone
What American Horror Story Taught Me About Anti-Heroes
Every time I search Netflix, Hulu, or primetime TV for a new show to watch, I'm convinced that anti-heroes are taking over the world. Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, the Sopranos, Nurse Jackie, Dexter—all popular shows with a less-than-traditional protagonist. The anti-hero seems to be here to stay, … [Read more...] about What American Horror Story Taught Me About Anti-Heroes