tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post2380027764880231081..comments2024-03-16T07:55:54.153-07:00Comments on Views From the Bald Patch: Why I don't read much these daysBotanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-42759888426914544152010-12-15T21:46:50.629-08:002010-12-15T21:46:50.629-08:00Hi Andrew, luckily I don't watch too much TV s...Hi Andrew, luckily I don't watch too much TV so reflexive criticism hasn't invaded that corner of my life. Yet.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-3921072694351501682010-12-15T10:31:29.228-08:002010-12-15T10:31:29.228-08:00I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. It is ...I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. It is even starting to affect my TV watching. I will be lazing about on the couch, watching along, and turn to my wife and tell her, "that dialog isn't natural." or " Why did he do that? It's out of character for him."<br /><br />I find myself complaining about the writing of shows more frequently lately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-71206939541893983442010-12-10T18:00:00.512-08:002010-12-10T18:00:00.512-08:00Well, Jean and Elena, I'm glad it's not ju...Well, Jean and Elena, I'm glad it's not just me going mad! <br /><br />David, I'm glad your prior research pays off. Not sure I'd have the patience for that approach, or the trust in other people's opinions. I usually go by the first few paragraphs...hey where have I heard that idea before?<br /><br />As I said in my post, it wasn't too bad all told. The sad thing is, though, that I really persevered with it only for the backstory, not for the novel in its own right. It wasn't until the last hundred pages or so that it took off to the point where I actually had trouble putting it down.<br /><br />I reckon I've just got cranky and hard to please in my old age :DBotanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-79784285709192100102010-12-10T08:34:05.480-08:002010-12-10T08:34:05.480-08:00I just had the same problem with a YA novel. It wa...I just had the same problem with a YA novel. It was written by an author of several novels, so you'd think she would have been practiced in the art of writing...but no. The concept is great, the writing makes it hard to read.Elena Solodowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03037029195682225565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-82048149211241230682010-12-10T07:41:42.630-08:002010-12-10T07:41:42.630-08:00I usually put each new book I'm thinking of pu...I usually put each new book I'm thinking of purchasing and reading through a serious vetting process, including both professional and reader reviews (among other things). Through all of this I can glean beforehand whether the book is worth my time or not. Like you, I have very little of that going around to devote to all the things I need to get done.<br /><br />But, so far at least, every single book I've read in the last two years have been stellar gems. The type of works that make me so envious!<br /><br />So, sorry to hear about your frustrations. While I can't say I've been having the same experience, such a book as you've described would have been thrown to the wayside after the first two chapters if it were me.<br /><br />Ugh! Sounds horrible, Ian. My condolences.David Batistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447011239238933425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-63375756874950151162010-12-10T05:46:33.682-08:002010-12-10T05:46:33.682-08:00Yep, you've officially been ruined like the re...Yep, you've officially been ruined like the rest of us. I have the same problem. <br /><br />Before I started seriously buffing up my writing/editing/critting skills, I would read anything all the way through simply because I bought it and it would be a waste not to. Now, I'm lucky if I make it past the first few chapters. I skim, my eyes glaze over and I get really annoyed when I spot all the stuff you mentioned. Then the book goes flying. Bye bye book.Jean Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.com