tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post3831580332544123169..comments2024-03-27T10:00:32.637+00:00Comments on JEN BLACK: Nora Roberts and SuccessJen Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628305777383099281noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-2412582909076312602010-08-17T16:48:27.585+01:002010-08-17T16:48:27.585+01:00Jen,
I enjoy NR most of the time, but I find her b...Jen,<br />I enjoy NR most of the time, but I find her books uneven--as I do with a lot of authors who have been around for a while.<br /><br />I've noticed that the spark or lack thereof doesn't seem to fall along the lines of new/old. It's just one will sparkle and the next one won't. Not sure if it's a function of deadlines, sameness of plot or how excited the author is about the story that contributes to the unevenness. <br /><br />Would be interesting question to ask, but how do you do that diplomatically?Keena Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985958126062809043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-90211809452122815512010-08-17T10:39:36.450+01:002010-08-17T10:39:36.450+01:00Good to hear all these different views. Thanks for...Good to hear all these different views. Thanks for chipping in!Jen Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628305777383099281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-12344278476211503542010-08-16T19:54:11.441+01:002010-08-16T19:54:11.441+01:00Jen, thought-provoking post, indeed.
I like head...Jen, thought-provoking post, indeed. <br /><br />I like head-hopping done well. It's just my little quirk I guess. However, I don't write it for publication because my publishers don't want it. <br /><br />What I don't like is cookie-cutter books!!! Like Celia said. That I cannot abide! And, so many of the NY traditional authors get trapped, I think, for all the reasons previously mentioned. Plus, the BIG PUBLISHERS have intentionally created what I call the 'star system' by spending tons o' advertising bucks on promoting these authors into stars. It's not the quality of their writing they really care about, it's how successfully they can market their books. <br /><br />I don't currently spend any money on the mass market romance books, except for Lindsay's books, of course, because *overall* the quality, imho, is crap. Not all, of course. There's always that gem of a story. But, it's rare for me to find. <br /><br />I also think, human nature being what it is, a lot of readers like the predictability of a certain author. They know what they're going to get. It's safe. In this day and age that counts for a lot, just given the super-high levels of stress. <br /><br />That's part of the beauty of small print/ebooks and Indie publishing. It's not about being a dollars-backed star. It's about writing your stories and the stories others really want to read. It's wide open, the wild wild west ~ that is, if we can only hold onto the freedom of the internet, now threatened who want folks to buy only what they offer and take control over.Savanna Kougarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15698138048388102279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-22848461493286752482010-08-16T16:02:28.269+01:002010-08-16T16:02:28.269+01:00As a habit, I don't read popular successful wr...As a habit, I don't read popular successful writers. They don't need my money. They have hundreds of fans already. And like you pointed out, their work "slips" after a few years. Fame gets to their heads and they think anything they publish is gold when it's really crap. <br /><br />Not all authors, but some. <br /><br />I support the little guys. The authors NOBODY has heard about. Finding interesting and new authors gets me off on a little "high." It's like discovering a new treasure before everyone else does!Vegetarian Cannibalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11925705619348289154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-46108011001926195162010-08-16T15:19:01.587+01:002010-08-16T15:19:01.587+01:00Interesting. I don't generally follow a popul...Interesting. I don't generally follow a popular author - or maybe I read a book or two that I find I find of particular interest to me. The only author I'm likely to read most of the time, is Linda Howard, and even with Linda Howard, I pick and choose her books. Sometimes authors just sort of rehash former themes - it's hard to stay fresh, I guess.Julia Rachel Barretthttp://juliarachelbarrett.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-76221542524278563982010-08-16T14:50:00.226+01:002010-08-16T14:50:00.226+01:00JEN--you've hit brought up a timely topic. I l...JEN--you've hit brought up a timely topic. I love to read familiar authors, and have my list. But, like you know who, they each have failed me after a while. I do regret this, but after a while, all the books sound and look alike.<br /> When a best selling author begins to write cookie-cutter novels, I'm done. I was finished with YKW years ago. <br />And the shifting POV thing really bothers me. Because a few chosen ones get by with it, I wonder if they could even write a book by themselves and use correct POV that we have come to expect. Very sloppy. Thanks for the interesting blog. CeliaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-57227792512536209882010-08-16T14:19:59.828+01:002010-08-16T14:19:59.828+01:00Very interesting post. I think both readers and wr...Very interesting post. I think both readers and writers change down the years. With readers, particularly who are writers, we mature in our technical taste. I am a great one for keeping paperbacks and when I'm dusting (on the few occasions) I'll stop and pull one at random, being carried to the memory of my enjoyment of it by the backblurb and then opening it and reading. Most times it's a bit of a jolt to the system. Of course I've got quirky in my old age: I can't abide head-hopping, and this is a part of the ol' tell v show. I don't want some author to tell me about some character's problem, I want to ride the character's shoulder and experience his/her life. Multi viewpoints I particularly enjoy, but not head-hopping. I consider it's just treating the reader to fancy wallpaper, giving them no scope to work. Reading should be a two way process. Down that route lies fulfilment.Linda Acasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03096791092366530129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-81705396201401371292010-08-16T13:30:29.076+01:002010-08-16T13:30:29.076+01:00I'm with you, Jen, on how authors I used to lo...I'm with you, Jen, on how authors I used to love I no longer like any more. Have I changed or have they changed? Maybe a little of both.<br /><br />I also think it takes time to write a book, and so often nowadays, the best-selling author doesn't have the time. She has to keep churning out books. While experience will pick up some of the slack, there is a point of too little time for anyone to create a quality product.<br /><br />And name recognition is a large part of NR's success. Some people just want to read NR, and don't care if the quality is as high as it was. And for every reader who loses interest in her, I'm sure there are several who take that reader's place. Name recognition again.<br /><br />I find that with some authors I no longer like, I go back to their older books. I like them better.Linda Banchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18143074276306710646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-5061834294649201912010-08-16T13:22:33.202+01:002010-08-16T13:22:33.202+01:00I think NR is the only NY Times best seller I read...I think NR is the only NY Times best seller I read. Most of them are not known names here in the UK, with the exception of the international names like Grishom and Follett. I'm continurally surprised at how different the lists are.<br />JenJen Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628305777383099281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-77987847586430011862010-08-16T11:40:54.367+01:002010-08-16T11:40:54.367+01:00Interesting post, Jen. I guess all authors have th...Interesting post, Jen. I guess all authors have their habits and ways that readers will become familiar with. I read NR as JD Robb and I enjoy the 'sameness' of certain aspects - Eve and Roake, Summerset and so on. I like and follow those characters. Perhaps that's why I find those novels fresh and engaging, because I enjoy those people. <br /><br />I wonder about deadlines. Is NR on too-tight a deadline? Hard to be original if a writer has to churn them outLindsay Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11513558547686982857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-1468674362781707992010-08-16T11:19:23.945+01:002010-08-16T11:19:23.945+01:00I don't read most of the NY Times bestsellers....I don't read most of the NY Times bestsellers. Preparing for the tomatoes. A few on my auto-buy list ARE bestsellers, but I wouldn't give most of them the time of day. It's just not how I choose an author. I've been reading all of my bestsellers (besides Stephen King) since before they were bestsellers.<br /><br />But I think several things are at play. Anita hit some of it. The publishers and agents "expect" the author to keep churning and put the pressure on. That leads to Maggi's idea that the author simply gets worn out. I think some of them forget why they love doing this, and if that happens, it's time for a break, IMO.<br /><br />I think it goes deeper than Maggi's comment, though. It's not just that the work is sloppy because the publisher won't tell the author to make changes, though Anne Rice taking edits OUT of her contracts doesn't help matters. No author should be so blind as to think he/she is perfect and in need of no input. Final say on input, sure. Everyone should revel in the safety net editors bring.<br /><br />IF they are good editors. Here's the other side of that coin. Publishers have the MISconception that bestselling authors will continue selling, even if the edits are slipshod, the book head hops all over the place (well NR does anyway...one of the reasons I have no interest in reading her), there's not sufficient research...the storytelling is weak (the worst of the lot). So, they are slitting their own throats by not insisting on excellence.<br /><br />My answer? I ask authors I love that I see being shoved into that pit how I can complain about the quality of the edit directly to the publisher. My letters say something along the line of: "X is such a fabulous writer, but her books deserve a better edit than you're giving her."<br /><br />That lets her know I see a problem and lets the publisher know I refuse to stand by and see them destroy my favorites with my silence.<br /><br />BrennaBrenna Lyonshttp://www.brennalyons.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-18956842035716867502010-08-16T09:24:52.079+01:002010-08-16T09:24:52.079+01:00I think two things happen. The author gets tired, ...I think two things happen. The author gets tired, and no one's game to tell her the book's no good. And when you have the selling power of NR you can break all the rules, but it doesn't necessarily make for good reading.Maggi Andersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15430261880092452319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-80519407261470673892010-08-16T00:09:43.406+01:002010-08-16T00:09:43.406+01:00Thanks for the analysis, Jen. I've noticed th...Thanks for the analysis, Jen. I've noticed that with a lot of books. I was passionate about another author when she first came out -- fast past, snappy dialog, larger-than-life H&H -- then she started to let me down. I just stopped connecting with the new H&H she introduced to the series. Now adays I wait until her new book's available in the library, if I read it at all. But she still makes the "best seller" list, which I guess is why publishers keep taking her work.Vickyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00651106209473639029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324257133568010275.post-46998758874518050142010-08-15T20:06:44.781+01:002010-08-15T20:06:44.781+01:00Good observations Jen I too often wonder if once a...Good observations Jen I too often wonder if once an author is recognised and readers search out their next book, do they get into the cycle of churning out the next one because the advance is spent and their agent is phoning them every other day saying, 'You have a deadline'?Anita Davisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068890701803582595noreply@blogger.com