Happy New Year Everyone!2021 has me excited. I hope and pray we have left the
worst of Covid behind us. And with the vaccination starting in some parts of
the world, things are definitely looking brighter.
I’m excited to see what 2021 has in store for all of
us.
Its time for the first IWSG (Insecure Writers Support
Group) post of 2021. IWSG is an online group of writers posting on the first
Wednesday of every month and more often than not, our posts are writing related,
though many of us have taken the answering the IWSG question route, building our
posts around the monthly IWSG question. January 20, will also see the IWSG
Twitter pitch contest (#IWSGPit). So, peeps get the pitches ready. Make them
sparkle. Do visit the IWSG website for more details about the Twitter Contest.
IWSG was created by Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh. He
is the successful author of several amazon bestsellers: CassaStar,
CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars, with more bestsellers on the way
(I’m sure they are lurking around inside his mind, waiting to emerge.)
The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardener, Sandra Cox and Louise - Fundy Blue!
January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?
I really get bugged if a writer has not
done justice to the plot, or if there are glaring holes through which I can see
the gaping errors in the story. I also dislike inconsistency in both writing
(sentence structure and grammar) and the story. As a book reviewer for 2
newspapers, I have had the misfortune of reading several books where I felt that
the writers didn’t do justice to the story, or the genre or the characters (made
them one-dimensional). And sadly, I had to point it out in my reviews, and I
ended up making a few enemies in the process. But my conscience wouldn’t let me
lie.
I just hope someone else doesn’t find the same flaws
and faults in my story.
What about you all? What frustrates you about other
people’s books?
As a book reviewer, you have to be honest.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a much better 2021!
I agree! I'm always so worried that I won't SEE a glaring OOPS in my own stories.
ReplyDeleteBeing an official reviewer would be tough. I only review books I've enjoyed
I worry I won't see my errors, too, and I know I make some of the mistakes I don't like reading. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteWell, I keep working on it though.
Way to go with the tough job of reviewing books!
The potential for a great story was there but the writer let it fall flat.
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard to be a reviewer but you have to be honest. I have to love the character and feel the plot is moving along at a good pace.
ReplyDeleteI can always find errors in other's writings...but my own? It takes an editor to help me out. I would think being a reviewer could be fun reading so many books and getting paid for it, but then there's the part about having to be honest. It's why I never read a friend's manuscript.
ReplyDeleteYeah, plot holes are a no-go for me too. But as a reviewer you had no choice. Happy New Year, Rachna!
ReplyDeleteBeing a book reviewer sounds like a dangerous job, lol!
ReplyDeleteI think I've been in your shoes when it comes to certain critique partners. I hate to point things out, but they'll thank me later:-)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I'm thinking positive vibes too. I think if you are asked to review a book, you should be honest. Your audience will want you to be.
ReplyDeleteOuch. I would hate to have the job of reviewing books for a newspaper and having to be so honest. And you have to be. Plot holes in books, movies and TV shows are so disappointing.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be honest as a reviewer. People need to trust your reviews and opinions. We can all learn and grow. All best to you in 2021. Hoping Covid and the political strife calm down, soon.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have integrity to remain truthful to your thoughts when it comes to reviewing books. What a powerful pen you yield, Rachna!
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
Reviewing for a newspaper would be a challenging job.
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy-Writing Year.
Great points. A book can have the most intriguing premise in the world but it means nothing if the quality doesn't live up to it.
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful for this coming year as well. :) Hope to read and write more in the days ahead.
ReplyDelete