Why Don't I Care about the Mystical Dental Floss of Bagombia?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 01:31PM Many authors today have mastered the art of writing a great opening chapter. More often than not, I'm gasping with delight, envy and awe as I read the first pages of any book. OMG, I think, this person has such an imagination! What an original setting! What inventive details! What intriguing characters! Settling myself into the best chair in the house (which happens to be my husband's), I lean back and prepare for an evening of delicious absorption in a book. But, then, more often than not, half an hour later, I'm tossing the book onto my discard pile. The book failed to hold me. After such a promising beginning, WHAT HAPPENED? With all the dazzling talent and skill of its author, how did it let me wriggle away?
It's wonderful to write lively sentences, to have an inventive mind, to create snappy dialogue and odd characters, but if the writer isn't telling a story you care about, the reader will shut the book. Writing skills don't equal storytelling skills. Storytelling skills are more essential. They're what keep you turning the pages, waiting to see what happens next, or what will become of a particular character. And it's not just about creating excitement, either. "Wait a minute," I say to myself, stifling a huge yawn as the main character steps into yet another death-defying adventure, "Why I am so bored? Why don't I even care if he or she finds the magical ruby anklet that will save the world from ecological destruction?"
In the books I've read lately, many of the characters never come to life. They are given a few quirks, a pat on the back and off they go! "Why should I care about you?" I think. "You're shallow, you don't have any complexity or depth or individuality. The author clearly hasn't invested much thought in your creation. So what if you're going to save the endangered kingdom of Bagombia with the mystical dental floss that your twice-dead cousin Louie left you... Who cares?"
Sometimes the author has created a fascinating character, but then doesn't allow that character to live. The author becomes a master puppeteer, and yanks the character's strings so that the story will come out the way the author thinks it should. As the reader, I'm screaming, "This doesn't make sense!" when the confused and angry main character (who I liked quite a bit) suddenly becomes full of saintly forgiveness. The key word here is "suddenly." The author moves the character around like a dummy, without thinking deeply about how the character might feel or act.
To me, it all amounts to an author not taking his or her imaginary world seriously enough. Big mistake! Never write from "above" your material. Plunge in - even when it's uncomfortable. And it will be. Writing is the most humbling work I know. The mere sight of a blank page reduces thousands of beautiful visions to rubble. I often feel as if I'm crawling on my hands and knees through a dark tunnel when I write. But that's not really the point. Whether writing is hard or easy for you, the most important thing is to take your characters and their story seriously. Invest yourself in the world you create. Try to write from the deepest part of yourself. Because... I really WANT to finish your book.
Reader Comments (22)
Finally, someone has put into words that confusing, disappointing experience of a good book gone bad!
GREAT post!
I LOVE it anne!
Well said...and what is it with editors allowing authors to take 100 or 200 pages to get started??!! I should not have to read for that long before I am hooked. And I certainly would not give a new author that leeway so why should an experienced author be granted that kind of exception...
Also, I always hate when i like the secondary characters better than the main characters...that doesn't seem right.
Sorry for my little rant...but your post really nailed what I was feeling lately.
My response to Alyson's "rant" . . . Amen, Sister!
Another amen from me, too, Alyson. 100 or 200 pages to get into the action? What's the writer DOING in those pages? Filing their character's nails?
Ah :sigh of relief:
NOW I don't feel so bad about not finishing what I've started (when it comes to books anyways).
I was almost blaming myself for not caring enough about the characters' adventures but now it's clear...
When characters remain distant & superficial, I can't get emotionally attached.
Great post Anne! I get what you mean!!! Trust me, I've been in those steps.
Sometimes when a author got his/her's brain working, they SUDDENLY loose it! When I read the first couple of sentenses I might say ``OOOO that`s nice! What awsome detail!`` or ``HUM, that really doesn`t touch me. Bye book!``. When I start writing a book ( not the best writer! ) I think if it makes sence ( mostly doesn`t! ) But doesn`t mean I can`t try to make it better (THINK HARDER FARIA!!!). So my point is to focus on the main idea of a charactar, setting, what``s happening and other stuff. Do you really think peaple would read that ??? MAYBE SO MAYBE NO. Anyway, I think I wrote to much, my bad, Later! :-D
Meena's comment gets to the heart of the matter: "When characters are distant and superficial, (we) can't get attached."
Faria and Hailey, thanks so much for your comments. I was wondering how kids would respond to this post. It's good to know that the same things that frustrate us adults, frustrate you, too. Like storylines not making sense and boring characters.
Faria, almost all writers (including this one) struggle with their writing in the way that you describe. It's very hard to bring all the elements of a story together into a seamless whole. REALLY hard. It takes a lot of thinking and paying attention. And often, we need the help of a friend or editor who can point out where things don't make sense. It sounds like you are putting a lot of effort into your writing. Keep up the good work!
Woah! I SOOOO can relate to this post. Anne, you've taken the words right out of my mouth!
Thanks, Anne for writing this post which makes us all think about something we never thought even more about it before! Hope that made sence! My teacher Ms. Davison loves seeing creative writing from her students and she always tells us about these kind of stuff. Which helps me get my writing alot better! Better as funnier, more creative and with lots of juicy details! All I know, I LOVE WRITING! I can write down my feelings then saying my feelings, I'm one of those kind of peaple! The only writting thing I work on is writting a book! I know I will get better one day! Just don't rush me!
p.s great telling what you think guys! keep it up! :D
Thanks, Anne for writing this post which makes us all think about something we never thought even more about it before! Hope that made sence! My teacher Ms. Davison loves seeing creative writing from her students and she always tells us about these kind of stuff. Which helps me get my writing alot better! Better as funnier, more creative and with lots of juicy details! All I know, I LOVE WRITING! I can write down my feelings then saying my feelings, I'm one of those kind of peaple! The only writting thing I work on is writting a book! I know I will get better one day! Just don't rush me!
p.s great telling what you think guys! keep it up! :D
It's so true because with everything(not just writing) people start off really nice and they continue for a while then get less and less interested and don't put as much effort into it. Another example is New Years Resalutions. I have been running for a while and now at my comunity center and at the new year there are tons of people, but 2 weeks later I thought "Where did all the people go?" Not everyone finishes what they start, but I think the best writers always finish and finish as Awesome as they started. :D Great post by the way.
Oops, I pressed it two times I think! Sorry!
well thats new.
Great! It's SO true! And by the way, I LOVE your Abby Hayes Books! :)
Great! It's SO true! And by the way, I LOVE your Abby Hayes Books! :)
That's What I Hate, Boring Books! Plus I Feel Bad For The Author Since Im Not Even Reading The Book.
Your Books Aren't Like That Anne. Abby Is Such An Amazing Character When Im Reading I Want To Be Like Her! Another Book Series I Recommend Is A series Of Unfortunate Events! It Is Full Of Mystery And Misery And That It Want Makes Me Fall In Love With It! No Lie When I Finish A Book I Spend Hours Searching For Clues About VFD And... Oh It's Just So Amazing What A Book Can Do To You:)
Sealed with a kiss was great!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not like some books (the boring ones) but this one is the best one yet! My guess was....um maybe I shouldn't say! But whoever is reading it right now, must be enjoying it! GO ANNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I want 'Sealed With A Kiss' so badly!!! Why can't I find it anywhere???
omg sealed with a kiss was awesome!
"All's Well That Ends Well" Fabulous Anne!