tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post3562372539094490295..comments2024-01-01T11:51:53.860-08:00Comments on Babbles from Scott Eagan: Why Are We Settling for Mediocrity?Scott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-76930646746681620582010-03-31T11:11:23.184-07:002010-03-31T11:11:23.184-07:00oops, churn out, not church out.oops, churn out, not church out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-63262973608032760612010-03-31T11:10:44.108-07:002010-03-31T11:10:44.108-07:00Could it have to be with the fact that (from what ...Could it have to be with the fact that (from what I've heard) some romance publishers pay, at most, $5,000 for a book? That doesn't exactly inspire writers to spend five years writing the book of their heart - it inspires them to church out hamburgers.<br /><br />Those who DO put out a well crafted romance that has other aspects to it are going to look for a publisher that doesn't churn out 5 books a week and will really pay attention to their book.<br /><br />Just a thought...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-55310066940730528692010-03-30T19:25:47.860-07:002010-03-30T19:25:47.860-07:00Pattern yes, that is what you expect, but take the...Pattern yes, that is what you expect, but take the Twilight books. Stephenie Meyer did excellent work. I don't mind saying I have read them over and over, but then everyone jumped on the vampire bandwagon. I'll be honest I am sick of seeing vampire books on the shelves. As far as I'm concerned Stephenie Meyer cornered the market on them and everyone tried it and to me there are now way too many. <br /><br />I may be showing my lack of knowledge, but what does "HEA" stand for?Bethaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09766204385916230390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-43133968615596301192010-03-30T07:05:09.823-07:002010-03-30T07:05:09.823-07:00Hi Scott. You have stolen my rant! To my mind, cal...Hi Scott. You have stolen my rant! To my mind, calling a book a "quick read" is a condemnation. Personally, I don't want a romance my eye can skim quickly over, like a magazine article. Yet I find fewer and fewer authors writing romances substantial enough that I can read them a second time (Lisa Kleypas is one of the few). <br /><br />Bravo to you for calling on all of <br />us - editors, publishers, and writers - to raise the bar.Ellen Wehlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17566722858904438343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-38337805693718949812010-03-29T14:55:36.795-07:002010-03-29T14:55:36.795-07:00This is too interesting. Let me say again that the...This is too interesting. Let me say again that there is an inherent problem here in that some of the top-selling books did not get to the top because of the quality of the writing, clearly, but because of the unique ideas contained therein. (Fill in book of your choice here.) What is one to do with those? Public appeal can't be argued with for long. Too much money to be made.<br /> Issue two. Romance already has at least one really wonderful writer, Shana Abe. Even though I do not read in the genre, I did read her Draikon series because it was so beautifully written. I even looked into the past books, and found them equally well-done, although I bogged down in the standard romance formula which does not hold my interest for long. <br /> Clearly the romance field does hold some accomplished writers. Now, how many writers, and agents, are prepared to hold out for that level of work? Especially when less-than-stellar writing still ay contain an engaging new plot idea? <br /> Which leads to the final problem, my suspicion that the kind of writing Abe produces in booki after simply cannot be taught in college classes, but is a gift from the gods. Now what? I do believe that competent use of the English language can be taught, but the rest...do not think so at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-40671379013487558122010-03-29T14:00:16.568-07:002010-03-29T14:00:16.568-07:00It's not just romance. I was reading a best s...It's not just romance. I was reading a best selling author--who I will never read again--and I'm still having a hard time figuring out why the editor didn't kick it back for the ending. It honestly looked like the author had run out of time, so she dashed something off, and no one bothered to try to get it fixed. What other reason would a book spend most of its pages investigating a crime, building up on the suspects, and then tossing out a "Oh, by the way, it was a random crime" ending?Linda Maye Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07203020058437093901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-81524809756278960782010-03-29T12:02:34.501-07:002010-03-29T12:02:34.501-07:00What I resent when it comes to romance is the idea...What I resent when it comes to romance is the idea that there is a "formula." Yes, romance follows a certain pattern, but in my opinion, authors are individual, and their work will be as well. I think you can find the HEA in a unique way--and without mediocrity.<br /><br />I've recently read some books by authors I was previously impressed with and now find myself disappointed in their work. Why? Well, I felt the passion wasn't there anymore. It was evident the author was writing because she still had a book deal--not because she wanted to entertain her readers. How disappointing for devoted fans.<br /><br />My opinion: if you aren't going to put a genuine effort into the writing, then it's probably time to stop.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07382826121131415775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-14524686653412853442010-03-29T10:10:44.600-07:002010-03-29T10:10:44.600-07:00An interesting view, thanks Scott. I agree with yo...An interesting view, thanks Scott. I agree with your words, I think you sum it up well...<br /><br />I don't care if it is inexpensive to put the book out there on a server and let someone download it, if it isn't good, then don't publish it.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-32528300788501068122010-03-29T09:16:36.399-07:002010-03-29T09:16:36.399-07:00It's true. I'll admit I was a little nervo...It's true. I'll admit I was a little nervous about reading a Paranormal Romance simply because of the cover, but the stories were amazing! Yes, Romance was in but so was action and consequences that left me astonished. I never knew romance could rock.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-17982552135800824642010-03-29T07:33:52.718-07:002010-03-29T07:33:52.718-07:00Bethanie,
I have to say, I don't mind stories ...Bethanie,<br />I have to say, I don't mind stories with a pattern to them. Besides, we know what we will see with a romance - the HEA. I think my biggest issue is the over-all quality of the general stories. As someone who has spent time working in Literacy Development, it is always a shame to see the quality of writing go down.<br /><br />ScottScott Eaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-34748566015671640592010-03-29T06:51:14.497-07:002010-03-29T06:51:14.497-07:00Scott,
Thank you for that. I hope others listen....Scott,<br /><br />Thank you for that. I hope others listen. I am truly tired of romance (if that is what you can call it) that has that element of "oh, I have read that before." Then it gets put back on the shelf.<br /><br />By the way, thank you for the advice!!Bethaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09766204385916230390noreply@blogger.com