When Do I Decide To Reject?

So, here's a question... If Scott has asked for additional material from an author, whether it is a partial or a full, at what point does Scott decide to pass on the project? Gosh, that is a great question Scott, let me answer that one for you!

First of all, when I do ask for additional material, there is something in the query letter and the premise of the story that tells me this might be something an editor I know is looking for, or it might be something I have been looking for, or it might be something that sounds totally unique. It just stands out in someway. Most of the time, I ask only for a partial. When I ask for a full, it is often because of some other factor that is coming into play with the author or the story. 

Now I have the story and it is time to read. So, when do I stop? Let me list several different scenarios:

#1 - The writing immediately turns out to be awful. Yes, this happens! You have had this happen to you before when you pick up a book and by the time you start reading a book, you hate it within the first few pages. Same thing here. There is a gut feeling. End of story. 

#2 - The writing immediately screams elementary writing. What I am talking about here is when it is clear that the writing has just started learning the craft of writing and the things that he or she is doing are things that someone has told them to do because "it will work." This would be using plot devices that are out of place or cliche' phrases that clearly are inserted because the author heard that was what should be done.

#3 - When I hate the character(s) Readers have to like the characters. We have to want to cheer them on. We want to be on their side. But if we are finding the characters being jerks or doing things that are unethical, we are going to quit on them. For example, the heroine has caught her husband cheating on her, so she goes out to a bar to pick up on a guy to do the same thing to him. Really? She hated when he did it to her but somehow it is justifiable now? A character who is down on their luck and struggling decides it is somehow OK, to steal out of the cash register that evening as the close out at the diner that night? Um, last time I checked, that is theft. 

#4 - No conflict I don't care how good the writing is, if there is nothing getting in the way of the characters getting together, and we get to the HEA, the we are done.

#5 - Repetitious or Episodic - This happens a lot with those authors who want to take the duel POV approach. If I see that the story is going no where and going no where fast, I am going to turn you off. 

In other words, I will give you a chance with your writing, just like you will give authors a chance when you get a book at a bookstore. But like you, I will also give up on a book, just as quick.