But, is it a good story?
I’m reading a mystery novel now that’s driving me nuts. The author does several things I’ve been taught not to do. She keeps modifying the verb, said, with adverbs. You know, "Carol said sadly." " Billy said hysterically." As if that weren’t bad enough, she has this penchant for describing what everyone is wearing. I don’t care! I grunbled, I groused and finally my husband Dennis, (he’s the smart one, I’m the pretty one) asked, "But, is it a good story?" Well, yes. The book passed my 50 page rule, it’s holding my interest and I keep turning those pages, so it must be good.
I was surprised to find that this is not the author’s first published book. It’s her eighth. One would think she’d get better with each new manuscript, but she might not even realize how annoying those gaffs are. So why does she consistently publish? She writes good stories. Every time I gripe about lousy writing, my husband tells me he doesn’t notice things I mentioned and thinks most readers don’t either. They are reading for story. Kind of makes me wonder why I’ve spent years and thousands of dollars learning to write.
I’ll continue to write the best books I can, the right way, but I’ll make sure my stories are great too. After all, that’s why we are read, isn’t it?
Tags: lousy writing, too much detail, verbs