Okay. So first off I will not state that my personal MS is entirely original. It isn’t. It was inspired by a large variety of things that may give it an original twist but I can’t honestly state that it’s completely original. That’s one of the hard learning curbs for every writer I think, realizing that their idea – no matter how original and off the-bat they thought it was, isn’t. Really nothing is original anymore. But that’s okay because with a different voice and in different packaging it can feel completely new!
Which is why I find some cliché plotlines sooooooooooo annoying that they put me off what in some ways are very good books. Not being a lover of romance novels I’m frequently turned off by ‘the good girl falling for the bad boy’ story. Or the misunderstood lead character – bleah. And why when everything should be going straight forward and well a crazy occurrence is thrown in or a character who’s normally totally cool starts having self-esteem issues.
Really just writing that makes me wonder why the hell I read Twilight!?! It also explains how I think I’ve had my ‘quota’ of that stuff for a while. Quite a while….
Recently I read the first book in a series about a girl who is a banshee. The book was awesome. I loved the concept and it was well written. Then she led into the love triangle between the ‘perfect’ guy, his brother and the banshee girl. *sigh* I won’t be reading anymore. Maybe this is small minded of me but after all the angst of the Twilight series I just can’t take anymore!!
And what happened to the series that ‘lead’ you through the journey, rather than the one off book that’s then hastily followed by several more.
I love the Belgarid by David & Leigh Eddings. It’s a fantastic (no not entirely original but totally lovable) story that takes place over five books. Each book progresses you further along. At no point are random and wild plot ‘hiccups’ thrown in because the author has run out of ideas. Plot ‘hiccups’ are something you see often in TV shows that only intended 1 season but because they hit off so well end up with 3-5 seasons on their hands. Or in exceptionally long running shows like NZ’s awful soap Shortland Street (brain mushing stuff – so don’t recommend). Actually True Blood seems to be heading down this road a bit.. Which is disappointing.
What’s your pet peeve in plots? Do you have one? Or are you easy *grin* Did an ‘epic’ book series put you off anything (and I’m meaning epic in sales people – don’t get excited ; p).
I'm pretty easy for the most part. What I hate is inconsistencies in the plot. Telling me someone is X and later they are Y or Z. Or the character doing something out of character for no particular reason. ARRRRRRRRGH
Hi Vicki 🙂 I agree with that! A series I really enjoyed got confusing because the author kept adjusting (or screwing up..) the names. They'd be very similar to the original but I'd end up hunting through the previous book trying to figure out who this character was
I'm pretty easy going on the book stuff. Though if a book really makes me think or has some wonderful metaphors that I thought- wow, then they become a favorite and recheck those authors often.
I read the first book in a series and it had such a cliff-hanger ending that I literally gasped when I got done with it. I don't mind leaving a little bit open to continue into the next book, but this book literally stopped in the middle of a scene! Grrr!
Hi Janel 🙂 hmmmm… should I mention that my story is kinda like that…*hee*
Love triangles! Unless the writing is beyond spectacular, and I already love the characters involved for completely different reasons, I can't deal with them.
Also, evil for evil's sake that is never explained. Just a bad guy that might as well be faceless for all we know about them.
Unbelievable plots drive me crazy or characters that change too quickly and easily!
Plotlines don't necessarily drive me nuts, it's certain tricks that certain writers use. This one I read recently did a pretty consistent narration of one character in one POV…then she meets the villain, whom the reader knows it is almost automatically. So instead of letting the plot unfold through a consistent viewpoint…BOOM, she switches it to the villain view point and gives away the bag completely. Another author did the same thing even later in the book. Even my favorite author did a sudden POV change right in the middle of the action.
So sudden POV changes are my pet peeve. If they're consistent, that's fine, change all you want like Christopher Palioni's Eldest. But switch it out after getting me used to one main viewpoint halfway into the book, and I'm going to throw it at a wall.
Have to say Nicole I think you're right.
The alpha male and all that–can be boring.
From what I understand some teens find Damon a heck of lot more interesting than Stefan (Vampire Diaries)–a HECK OF A LOT!
Remember, the biggest bad boy of the 19th century, naughty boy Lord Byron was described by Lady Caroline Lamb as 'mad, bad, and dangerous to know.'
I think many readers are fascinated by those sorts of guys. I know I am!
Great post btw!
Anne Rice did a Sleeping Beauty spin off. I loved it, but my wife said "no". She found it too dark. Come, on. It is Anne Rice. Of course it is dark.
I can go both ways with this. Sometimes I love simple plots, sometimes I hate them. It has to do with the wrapping. Simple plots can be fine if the characters and voice is good. Then again, if these things are not down, I won't fall for the intricate plot either…
I agree with you on romance plots, though. God I hate them. Bad boys are so last season. Maybe I should write a steamy romance where the hero is a NICE guy? Nice and boring, preferable. One that does his taxes, who buys his wife flowers for Valentine's Day but forgets the rest of the year, one who is normal in every single way. That would certainly be original…
Awesome blog! Your insight into writing, plots, etc. is very interesting. Look forward to more posts!
I used to be easy 😉 Now, I'm way too critical (being a writer has ruined me on reading, I think). What drives me crazy is when a character does something so completely unrealistic. If the phrase "that would NEVER happen" goes through my head, I close the book. End of story.
Hi Kelly – yep I like a reason for bad guys – even if its just that they like stepping on people ;p
Hi BB – someone posted once about crazy positions they read in this book. Okay so was extreme sex scenes but not one of those reading this post could actually figure out how they 'did it' *grin*
Hi B.E.T – Yes!! I agree! I use POV changes but they are consistent that way the reader is used to it. I don't like it when you follow one character all the time and then 'poof' gone onto another. Stops the flow for me 🙂
Hi Carole – I watched the first episode of that and the semi-permanent stunned mullet look on Stefan's face did me in. EEEE no more please! ;p
Hi SH – hey did you know you're not actually a follower here? You'll miss out on your chocolate chance!! And I like the dark more original versions of fairy tales – creeped me out so much when I discovered one as a teen. I think it was the little mermaid 🙂
Hi Cruella – you might be onto something! A guy who is *gasp* ..normal!?? Ooo getting tingles *hee*
Hi JC – Thanks and welcome! If you're now following you have the chance to win chocolate o Friday!! Mmmmm chocolate *drool* ;p
Hi Jenna – I've discovered this too! No more leeway for writing slackers I'm afraid. It's also put me off some Literary Agents when I've read the cr@p and thought WHAT!?! How the heck did this get through??
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Email me at clarissadraper at gmail dot com if you have a problem with it.
CD
Since I got my kindle, I find myself reading all types of books I wouldn't have tried before, but I still can't get into any that make me think too much.
I enjoy romances or mysteries when they're well written, and can forgive trite plots if the author is skilled in engaging my interest.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel
Everyone else I know who read it loved it, but to me Water for Elephants felt very wooden to me, like it needed one more draft to flesh it out. The characters all kind of sounded like one another, and I kept coming across missed opportunities.
Wow – reading your post and then the comments makes me worry about how easy I am. I just need to be lost in the story and I'm happy-shmappy. I'd say one of my pet peeves is using obscure language that screams, 'look how smart I am'… I may understand it but if it kicks me out of the story, I'm done. If the words fall away and I have my inner-movie-theatre working overtime, that's a good one for me. Great blog you have here! 🙂
I don't know if I have any particular pet peeves when it comes to plot…just that I'm with Jenna, if it doesn't make sense, doesn't work in the world the author builds, I'm out. I tend to read historicals, and have found this–times when, given the era and the foundations the author has laid, an action makes no sense. But that's few and far between 🙂
I hope I don't make any unreasonable jumps with plot!
My pet peeves in books: Twilight – lame love triangles, bad boy, weak save-me heroine, heroine who has no ambitions, stalker who rocks his girlfriend to sleep, and so on.
I am sick of quirky sidekick friends who are annoying and add nothing but a lame attempt at humor.
Hi Theresa – oh I can soooo agree with you on that! And yeah what is it with the side kicks?? And frequently the 'fat ugly' side kicks too ;p