My life has turned into the Rule of Three, having just realized that I have begun to read three books and have three Epics In Progress. All begun, none ended. I'm left with three choices each, but I already know which Epic In Progress I intend to finish. I'll rephrase that. I know which one I'll finish first.
Still, out of the three books I've tried reading, I need to pick which one to sit down and finish. It's just that I'm not that into them.
I'm not divulging titles or authors. Suffice it to say, they're all well published authors, one a prolific writer for decades. They just haven't kept me rapt, and I have to wonder what these authors would think if they knew their books didn't pull me into finishing them. Isn't an important element of novel writing to create a story that rivets me to their pages?
So often we hear the phrase, "Must have a great opening hook." Well, that's all well and good. I don't disagree, but, there better be something after the hook to keep me on the line, and I think that's the problem with all three books. Brilliant openings, but not enough to keep me attached, or anxious to get back to the book. And then I wonder, is it me or is it the dress? Maybe I'm just too preoccupied with other things and just haven't taken the time to assert myself into their pages.
But still...isn't it every writers' goal to create a world that pulls in the reader to the point they never want to leave it? Or maybe it's that after several published books these particular authors just didn't care. Is it possible I'm reading their "dog" editions? I've heard that many authors put out a "dog" every so often. Could it be I wandered into the dog pound without realizing it?
I digress...
Here I sit with three unfinished books, a parallel to my three unfinished Epics. The difference: My Epics will keep the reader right where I want them (she says with an evil cackle). And my Epics are unfinished because, well, just because, that's all. No disclaimers. They just aren't finished yet, and I'm not dead yet, so, they'll get done before then. I do plan on being a published author before I meet my friend, Reaper. And when I'm on that publishing roll I intend on keeping away from the dog pound. You know what they say, when you lay down with dogs, you wake up with a bitch.
But it is a bit odd that I have this threesome going...
Anyone else out there feeling the eerie parallels lately?
4 comments:
I have more than three books I can't get into, though the premises seem great and the writing on at least two of them is wonderful. But in my case, it's me, not them. When I'm writing intensely, it's hard for me to get into another fiction book. It has to be really, really good. And even then, if I'm in the throes of my book, I might put it down and never get back to it.
As far as reading goes, there are so many I'm DYING to read, that I keep popping back and forth and not finishing any. I just can't decide!
I'm, THIS WEEKEND I SWEAR UPON ALL THAT IS HOLY, finishing a story that has been 3K from the end for OVER A YEAR. Is that not insane? I need to figure out what in the world has been holding me up!
Edie, I'm the same way when in the super writing mode. For whatever reason, I fear that the style of the book I'm reading will influence the one I'm writing.
Natasha, good luck with your weekend writing, but I think your past year has been the hold-up, maybe. The move has been brewing in your mind and that can suck away all that's creative, I think.
You'll get back in the swing. You always do.
Post a Comment