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).