Tuesday, February 14, 2017

HAS AN AUTHOR EVER SURPRISED YOU?

I have a massive TBR pile of all types of novels, but my favorite authors actually have their own space on the bookcase. I'll purchase these novels without reading the blurb or checking out the cover. These are the writers that cause withdrawal while waiting for that next release.  Since I was 8 years old, I've literally read thousands of books.
In 2016 however, I ran into a situation when a release from one of my faves fell short.  The writing was choppy, and the characterization was very stilted.  The main story took so long to get to, that I found myself yawning frequently, waiting for things to pick up.   By the the 8th chapter, I was outta there, wondering if the original writer had been kidnapped.  Strangely, her next two novels were right back on target.

The 2nd matter came up because of a Social Media post.  As bloggers we see weird and negative posts all the time that we mostly ignore.  I didn't engage, but I couldn't forget that particular rant. This particular author received lots of favors from readers.  She later attacked some of these same valued fans who really cared about her, with some rude and unkind comments when they asked some simple questions. Sadly the comments continued for quite some time.  I didn't get it, and scratched my head in confusion.  

The final issue actually happened a while ago with a writer who had a kick ass first novel.  The intensity, the nail-biting suspense, and the research had me thinking for a long time.  The end of the book gave a 5 page excerpt of the next story which was to be released in about 6 months.  Yay!  It's 5 years later, and I'm still waiting for that second book!  Even worse, there's literally no info on what in the heck happened.

Notice that no names are given here, because even though I've been disappointed, authors are people too, and sometimes things happen. We see them at the grocery store, we hear stories about their families, they get sick, and they share exercise tips. They churn out books, consistently adhering to strict deadlines, fighting writer's' block, and needing to create stories that allow us to live in other magical places. Through them, we meet Dukes, Spies, Army Rangers, Chefs, Fashion Designers, Teachers, Physicians, Firemen, Millionaires, Cowboys and more from all over the world. Some are fortunate to make a ton of money, yet many others write what they love while still working full time to make ends meet.

Even though I may feel some disappointment on occasion, I can't ever imagine life without books and writers.  They are talented enough to create new worlds, and to introduce us to characters we can't wait to meet.  As long as there are writers out there to tell a story, my TBR pile and bookcases will continue to grow.  But how about you?  Has an author ever disappointed or surprised you?  

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22 comments:

  1. of course, author disappoints, they're just like everyone but I don't hold it against them, even my favorite writers aren't writing anything I like these days but I will continue to support them, as long as there are books, I will read. we can't all love every book, that's just the way things are.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. You're right. They're people like us with lives to live, but as readers we continue to support and love them, for sure! Hugs Lissa!

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  2. It sucks when publishers pull out a series before it's done. That's happened twice to me now, it totally ruins the whole experience from a fan's perspective.

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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    1. Never thought about it happening with publishing piece Braine. That totally makes sense. Thanks so much! Hugs...

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  3. Oh my gosh. ALL. THE. TIME. I loved Gone Girl, for instance, but didn't like any of her other books...and I tried all of them. (Can't remember if there were two or three?) I finally gave up. I liked The Woman in Cabin 10, but it was more that I saw promise in the author's writing. When I looked at other reviews, people said that book wasn't nearly as good as her first book, In a Dark, Dark Wood--so I got that one on Audible and WOW, they were right. I love Harlan Coben's books but some are good, some aren't--I'm sure his other fans might disagree on which ones are the good ones, so some of it's personal taste. Some of it's also high expectations that it's hard to live up to with each book, I guess.

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    1. I'm a fan of Harlan Coben, too and have several of his books. I think that may be the key. It's hard to live up to high expectations 100% of the time. I suspect that authors think about things like that and worry. So it has to be rough. Hugs...

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  4. I've been surprised and disappointed a few times. I've seen 2nd books be even better than the first book and then the rest of the series just not catch my eye at all. I've seen authors go after bloggers because of a review on a blog and have the authors send their street teams to harass the blogger. It was nuts.

    One author liked a review I did and a bunch of us were talking about it in a fb group but when this author saw my fb pic was one of my rats, she made a big deal going on and on about how rats are vermin, are nasty disease spreading vermin and should be killed. I tried to calmly tell her my rats were pets and she told me I was crazy and it was gross to have vermin as pets. I was so hurt and stopped reading that author. You just don't say things like that without consequences.

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    1. Going after someone because they write a less than stellar review is just not cool. Every novel may not be be for every person, that's just life. I still can't believe someone would be so unkind to you because of your pets. Some people have mixed feeling about various animals, but to attack them because of it just isn't right. So sad that happened to you, Mary. Hugs...

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  5. Oh yeah, AAAAAAALL the time. And oh my God, Marys comment with the rats.. that is INSANE!!! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. I know, right? Sometimes it's best not to respond if you feel like being rude to someone, you know? Hugs...

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  6. Thanks for the tip on "fuelrewards"-- I'm always grateful when you post these little tidbits!

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    1. You're quite welcome Angela. I love finding and sharing good deals to save cash. Hugs...

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  7. My very favorite author has disappointed me a few times - she can be a bit up and down. But I still find myself buying every one of her books!

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    1. That's cool Lana that you still hang in there to support her work. I'm sure she appreciates that. Hugs...

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  8. Great post! I think it's bound to happen that an author you love will write something you don't like or really even hate. It's a bummer, but I'd still keep reading them, especially since it tends to get better! :)

    -Lauren

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    1. I agree Lauren. We all have bad days, and keep lugging along despite that, and authors are no different, I think. Thanks for the kudos! Hugs...

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  9. I have been disappointed and surprised by authors. Even my favs have let me down a time or two. It happens. I have managed to skate the author/blogger drama and hope it continues.

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    1. LOL! That's good for you Kim that you've managed to not get in the middle of a spat. True, authors are human and can have bad days too. I think we just keep it moving.

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  10. 2016 was full of author disappointment for me from ones behaving WAY badly to just crap writing. I DNF or 1 starred 3 of my FAVORITE authors. I was stunned. And incredibly sad over it.

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    1. Bad behavior is the pits for sure. No one should have to deal with that nonsense. Wow! That many makes me wonder if they were rushed on a deadline and had to get something out quickly? Someone else wrote it?(lol) Who knows what could have happened, but hopefully 2017 will be better.

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  11. I used to be such a voracious reader, one of my favorite authors had me wondering what they were thinking ... then after that their books held my attention all the way through, often I would re-read them, except for that one book. Reading is something I have been wanting to get back to, I loved getting lost in a good book for hours, it was an awesome feeling xox

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    1. I still read a lot, but not nearly as much as I used to because I've been involved in so many other projects. Something about reading a good book relaxes me, as well. So I can totally relate to those feelings of getting lost in them. Hugs...

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