“I wrote a book. It sucked. I wrote 9 more books. They sucked, too. Meanwhile, I read every single thing I could find on publishing and writing, went to conferences, joined professional organisations, hooked up with fellow writers in critique groups, and didn’t give up. Then I wrote one more book..” Beth Revis
What a spirit! Something to aim for!
What is ‘Good writing’? Only you know – the reader. The reader is never something abstract. It is a huge energy of consciousness, minds and emotions multiplied by the millions of opinions.
The reader is a part of the book, a collaborator. You can’t push the book down the readers throat to make sales only. In a long run it will give you NOTHING.
So how one single person (writer=you), can make/or keep the world of the never-satisfied readers absolutely happy? Short answer – you can’t. That’s why we are moving to the complex answer:
Place 1: Writing Style
Place 2: Ideas
Place 3: Hero
Place 4: Plot
I know many of you will disagree with me. No need to scream: ‘Its all about the plot!’…or ‘If I do not like the hero I don’t like the book too!’ I hear you, peeps! And I agree. But how do you know who is the hero or what kind of the plot is it?
Example: Let’s say you see 10 books on the table and you have to choose only 1 to read. You know nothing about the author, heroes or plot in those books. All you can do (and will do) -> picking up and reading a couple of paragraphs.
The truth of HOW you are going to choose:
- if you like the way words dance together, if the writing style speaks to you – then you’ll choose this book.
As you see, at the end of the day – it’s all about the words. How to make them shine or sneak inside of the readers hearts who right now are sarcastically smiling miles away from you…
Hello, Mr Poopkin!
Your new book arrived yesterday.
Read. Enjoyed. One question only:
‘Is it about the unusual pooping way?’
Never Yours, Reader
Statement 1: If you don’t like the way the author writes – you won’t be interested to continue reading his/or her work.
Statement 2: The book without any outstanding (or at least recognizable) writing style is faceless. The style is your signature.
Statement 3: The readers are never kind. Unless they are too kind, like Ray.
Sad, but nobody cares much about the writing style in the ‘commercial fiction’ nowadays. If it’s ‘clean’ and ‘well-polished’ with a nice kick-ass heroes and shaking-to-my-bones plot – it is SIMPLY BEST SELLER! That’s why at least 80% on the book market is well done crap.
Something to remember:
- Plot does not define story. Plot is the framework within which ideas are explored and personalities and relationships are unfolded.
- Ideas are the heart of the book.
Also I believe in the words “if a book isn’t self-explanatory, then it isn’t worth reading/ or writing,” – Paulo Coelho. No matter in what kind of genre you are working – the book is a part of your soul (not only happy experiences or sobbing feelings). The book is a picture of you or …just throw it in the basket already, please!
Let’s take a short break and check writing styles we are still admiring: Famous Authors and Their Writing Style
I hear you!
You aren’t Hemingway or Kafka.
No problems. It is fine.
You are you! Do not hide it.
Today one of my followers said to me: ‘blah, whatever, I’m just a commoner.’ I refuse to understand this position, because I believe NO ONE IS. We are all philosophers, scientists, poets, creators of the small world around us. And the small world is a part of the big world. By the way if you are a poet you are already a philosopher because I would never separate these 2 words.
Stop Sign:
There’s one more important thing – how ‘original’ is your work? I find it surprising that some people still do not understand what does ‘original’ means. Yes, we repeat/or steal ideas, plots and feelings over and over again, but I think (and know) that there’re still billions of thoughts/perceptions/views that are waiting for the right moment to get out…
We are living in the Time Of The Darkness, but ‘fiction reveals truth that reality obscures’. Remember, you are the Light! Shine ON!
The End
The plan for the next week is – Here
I dropped out of the book ‘Quicksand’, Malin Persson Giolito. It isn’t bad, but not my cup of tea. I decided I have no time to struggle through the book anymore. So you probably will get a review of another book next week.
Attention: I’ll be on and off most of the autumn here, because of the job and editing of the novel.
Hugs!
Next post – ‘My life in percents’ writing challenge
Hmm yes, was amazed to see the huge number of rave reviews of one particular ‘endless twists’ psychological thriller I read this summer, all based entirely on its plot. The cardboard characters simply were not credible and the writing workmanlike at best.
Action is a king…I think we are loosing connection with the beautiful writing bcz we r too focused on “twists & actions” 🙂
For chill out reading – it works tho 🙂 maybe once or twice, no more 🙂
An excellent observation of readers and writers, Ray. I like the simple fact: If the book doesn’t grab you put it down. 😀
🕺✌️ yep 🙂 and I’ll try to follow it in the future 🙂 the book should talk to you/& teach u – or no meaning to waste ur time
🙂
This is why I don’t write “The readers are never kind. Unless they are too kind, like Ray.” If all readers were too kind, like Ray, then I would write 🙂
Writing for yourself is an option too 🙂 I, at least, learned not to care about others’ opinions and that makes me a happy writer 😀 Isn’t that the whole point after all?
I was just playing with Ray. Writing for yourself is probably the best way to go.
Oh alright, this makes more sense now 😁
🙂
Yes 🙂 it’s the most important. But if we r talking about “writing” as the process or fiction as the book – then the style/idea/plot/hero = the most important things…aside of having enjoyment/fun 🙂
Haha very funny 🙂 I’m sure the world has at least 10% of kind Ray’s 🙂 so….
You give the world too much credit. There is only one Ray 😉
😂 haha 💙💙💙
Great post Ray ! I have to like the characters and something has to draw me in pretty quickly to keep me reading 🙂✒
Good to know 🙂 I guess me too. The hero is important 😉✌️
I could not agree more. It is NOT just about the plot. I got a large tome to read on a flight to Hong Kong once and thought it would do me for the flight.But…. I loathed the writers style of writing. Loathed it. I ended up stuffing it under my seat and sleeping instead.
Yes 😂 can imagine that, been in such situation (on flight) too…I guess the writing itself plus heroes & plot draws us to the book the most 🙂
I have been a fan of Joan Didion and Susan Sontag because of their style of writing even when the story line has not been my favourite but they carry me along with it. I am currently reading a book that has a wonderfully old fashioned style and it suits the travel journey it is describing so well I am loving it and it is not my usual sort of thing at all.
Sometimes we need a change 🙂 and books with a old fashioned writing style is an interesting read (time to time). I’m reading a book about priest & a murder 🙂 simple &…ah, very simple style 🙂 but enjoyable
When I write a book, if it’s factual, it’ll be focused, balanced. If it’s fiction, it’ll be all over the place, but it will make people think.
👍👍👍 agreed
First things first Ray. Thank you for the (dis?) honourable mention in the post! I am famous now! 💃
Now about your post…seriously, I totally agree. When I pick up a book by an author I have never read before or heard of before, it is the prelim reading that reels me in.
And yes, I have abandoned a few books after a couple of chapters because I just could not read further.
Bye for now. This poet has to philosophise after doing some humdrum household chores. 🤓🤓
Haha I didn’t mention your name there though, I thought maybe you want to be more discrete :)) and good luck with writing ✍️ DO NOT stop, philosopher! Write-clean-cook, clean-cook-write 🕺🕺😱😂
Discretion is no longer my middle name! Lol
Jokes aside, what I wrote about the existence of universe was a flippant remark.
I do intend to take your advice very, very seriously. I just finished with cooking and cleaning, so now I post. 😁
Thanks Ray.❤️
Love this kind of attitude!! #staythere #philosopherISaNewPoet :))
I like that! Thank you. 😊
Really great post again. The novel I am working on is probably written in the “Free Indirect Discourse.” Interestingly this is completely different to how I write my blogs.
A good post indeed.
Thank u 🕺😀
A great read, Rayno agree absolutely with your words of inspiration for people who would love to write a story. Thanks for the share.
Thank you lots 💕💕
Welcome Rayno.
I loved reading this post. And the link to the article Famous Authors and Their Writing Styles was really interesting too. Mind you, there was so much info there I only read part of it so I could quickly come back to your post 😉
It’s fine…that article was huge 😆
Lovely lost ray!…great inspiration for me😊
Thank u 💙💙
Fascinating insight, I enjoyed this, will I ever write a book?………. hmm that’s a question I’ve discussed in a post many weeks ago, and well I’m quite content blogging for the now! 🙂
I’m sure you could write a nice book about Helen &…trains 🙂
Haha in fact my first 5 posts is a tale about sex on a train.
That means u have an excellent experience:))
🙂 <3
Very good post.
Thank you 💙💙
A good read.
Thank you 💕💕
Beautiful concept there… and the way you’ve explained is pretty brilliant …. I’ve just mentioned about emotional breakdowns in my recent post… I’d be glad to know your views. Here’s the link: http://thesoultalks10.com/three-easy-ways-to-get-out-of-emotional-breakdowns/
I agree: “Ideas are the heart of the book.” The older I get, the more I want to read books (and watch films) that have substance, that reveal something deep and meaningful.
Why DID I insist on reading books I wasn’t that into in the past? You’re right, put the book down and walk away.
Nice post Ray. Fruitful material…keep it up. cm
..i think that the writer’s objective(s) is what gives his/her book/writings an essence- if any..
Thank you for your insight! Helpful
Great post. Agree. Reblogged on my top 3 post.
thanks lots for share, get back as soon as I can to check ur page 💕💕
Great post, Ray!
Good luck with work and the novel.
An amazing post. We always seem to forget what truly makes good writing, and this post does a great job of explaining it. Please keep the great content coming.
Thanks lots 🕺😃💙
Amazing write up, to be very honest I am trying to come up with a novel and for that I am coming up with short stories and trying to gather reviews on them. This way trying to cope up with honest reviews..
Awesome 🙂 great start & continue!! I believe if you really want it (love it) – you can do it 🙂
Really perceptive stuff. And great opening quote.
Maybe cuz I’m fed up…very difficult to find a good read in the book store 😂 only nice covers 🙀😉
https://readingmattersblogdotcom1.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/7b769-6a00d83451bcff69e20120a8bf73f2970b-pi.jpg
https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387124618l/9361589.jpg
You can tell i’m a magic fan, even without my last post haha. It was my birthday on the weekend so I got loads of books. Happy to suggest some if you like.
Looks like romantic read lol I’m not sure I’m that kinda girl 👧 but thank you, I’ll check anyway 😉
And happy birthday 🎉
You’ve really got me thinking about my best covers. I like My Godfather one a lot, but I think it was taken from the film poster.
sorry, it had been 7 days ago, but I haven’t seen it until now 👀😱 your comment ended up in spam. You are very Spamy pers 😎, Alex :)) 😂
How do you recommend just getting to the end?
what do you mean? first draft of the book?
Yes don’t worry I’m just moaning because I’m trying to finish my project.😂 It’s the first draft. I’m halfway there.
Hi. Great encouragement. Timely thoughts. Timeless too. To make those words shine…
’tis why… We do… what we do. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you a lot for your motivational words 🙂
Deserved. Have read a lot of books and the setup(s) you describe would have added much to those that rarely get read past a couple of chapters. Even just good editing can help a book SHINE too. Thanks again.
Agreed 🙂 👍💕