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Aug 7 07 7:01 PM

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I used to enjoy reading - until I became an author.
My problem is that I find myself analyzing plot, character development, grammar, dialogue, realistic character responses, etc, etc...
Do any of you face the same curse?
If so, how do get around it to enable yourself to enjoy reading again?
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#1 [url]

Aug 7 07 7:06 PM

Are you doing a lot of critiquing right now? I found the problem was far worse when I was in a lot of critique groups. It hasn't gone away completely and it flares back up when I'm editing for someone else, but it's not as severe.

It's hard to get out of that editing mindset, especially if what you're reading isn't really exciting you.



Tina


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iaceu

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#2 [url]

Aug 7 07 9:55 PM

Not for me, but then, I've never been a part of a critique group.

I find myself analyzing style, and going back over a few paragraphs once in a while to better grasp how they were written, but I don't find that it ruins the story. Rather, I find it a very interesting glimpse into the mind of the author, even if that glimpse is necessarily colored by my own perception and interpretation.

iaceu

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#3 [url]

Aug 8 07 1:42 PM

Tina, you hit the nail on the head.
I am editing my book right now. I am analyzing every sentence I read.
Perhaps things will change when I'm done editing and resume writing.

I can see what Iaceu is saying too. When I do read something brilliant, I have a much greater appreciation for the author's skill. The only problem is that most books that I've picked up lately aren’t that well written. It seems that once an author makes a name for him/herself, a publisher will print anything they write - including novels that would have never stood a chance from an unknown author.

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#4 [url]

Aug 8 07 8:32 PM

QUOTE
The only problem is that most books that I've picked up lately aren’t that well written. It seems that once an author makes a name for him/herself, a publisher will print anything they write - including novels that would have never stood a chance from an unknown author.



Sadly, this seems all too true. I don't know if the publishing houses are in such a hurry to get the books in print and out to the buyers that they don't bother with the editorial process or if they think that the writer has been writing long enough that they don't need to spend the money on an editor. Or the other possibility, the writer has such an inflated ego that he/she thinks their work is too good to need an editor.



Tina

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fiction Factor
One of Writer's Digests' 101 Best Websites (multiple years)
http://www.fictionfactor.com

The Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction
2008 Eppie Winner for non-fiction!

The Fantasy Writer's Companion
The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy

http://www.stygianwritings.com

The Fractured Publisher
A fun and amusing way to browse for books
http://www.fracturedpublisher.com

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#5 [url]

Aug 9 07 3:21 AM

I'd have to say, not really, to the question.

A good book draws me in. But I also try to settle down and read for a purpose...to enjoy the entertainment value, or to analyze. Sometimes if I liked a book, I'll analyze it on a second read.

Sure, bits of observation always creep in.

What I have found is that writing has cut into my reading time available--big time.

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
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8281220

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#6 [url]

Aug 9 07 11:54 AM

I agree with R-Tech but find the more I learn, the more I analyse what I'm reading and worse, what I'm watching on the box. I picked out three info dumps in the one scene during a recent episode of Star Gate. I didn't watch anymore of it. It was ruined.

As for Tina's comment

QUOTE
Or the other possibility, the writer has such an inflated ego that he/she thinks their work is too good to need an editor.


I've been lurking around a few different writers site's lately and this seems to be an ever increasing scenario.

Still, in the end, if it is well written, I can still loose myself.

Good luck with the editing and submissions Doogie fictionfactor/biggrinsmiley.gif

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#7 [url]

Aug 10 07 12:25 AM

QUOTE (bt_author @ August 09, 2007 06:54 am)
I agree with R-Tech but find the more I learn, the more I analyse what I'm reading and worse, what I'm watching on the box. I picked out three info dumps in the one scene during a recent episode of Star Gate. I didn't watch anymore of it. It was ruined.

bt_author,

Stargate SG1--don't let the info dumps inhibit your enjoyment. Really one of the best SF series that's been made (at least the first 8 seasons). Consider it time constraints forced such upon the writers and actors.

R-Tech

Flank Hawk and Blood Sword: My Fantasy Novels published by Gryphonwood Press
My Writing Website www.ervin-author.com
Editor for MindFlights
My Blog Up Around the Corner

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fiction

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#8 [url]

Aug 10 07 3:14 AM

I'm with Tina on this one - when I'm editing something else at the same time, or researching a writing-related article, I struggle to read for pure enjoyment. I feel the mad urge to get my red pen out and send it back to the publisher.

It took me a while to get out of this mindset. I don't think I'm fully there even now...


Lee

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yaghish

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#9 [url]

Aug 13 07 5:49 PM

When I have to give an opinion on a story, I take my pride to use it as a reader first. Because books are made for readers and not for critics (well, most of them anyway). I want to finish the story and have my own, deepest feelings about it, and continue the story in my mind, what if? Dream about it, think about it, contemplate it.

And after that get answers for questions that concern the whole story, as: was the whole of the book OK, did the end satisfy, wasn't the beginning too slow, too fast?

Only when I don't like the story I don't read it to the end. The I try to find out why I didn't like it.

After finishing te story and sorting out my own opinion, I can look at it and give it a more detailed review, which might involve reading the whole thing again, with different specs on. I think it is better to give critique when you know the whole story and the role parts of it have when it comes to the whole of the storyline. I have seen critiques that wanted to change the whole of the stroy because they never finished it and never knew the sublime plot.

I still enjoy reading.

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#10 [url]

Aug 29 07 5:15 AM

I've been noticing this a bit lately too, though I haven't been editing excessively. I find I spend the first chapter or so of a new novel noticing little things I never had before - an unusual word used multiple times, for example (unless insouciant is common and I've been living in a hole in the ground), or something that I would have punctuated or phrased differently. If the story is sound, however, I'll get sucked in, regardless of the number of adjectives.

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#11 [url]

Oct 11 07 8:11 PM

QUOTE (Doogie @ August 08, 2007 01:42 pm)
Tina, you hit the nail on the head.
I am editing my book right now. I am analyzing every sentence I read.
Perhaps things will change when I'm done editing and resume writing.

I can see what Iaceu is saying too. When I do read something brilliant, I have a much greater appreciation for the author's skill. The only problem is that most books that I've picked up lately aren’t that well written. It seems that once an author makes a name for him/herself, a publisher will print anything they write - including novels that would have never stood a chance from an unknown author.

Im not sure I can relate exactly, but Im sure it will leave you. I've never writen a book before, but I've been an avid reader since I could first read. I've read all the 'classics' and my the majortiy of the books by my favorite author J.R.R. Tolkien, and sadly no matter what I read, Ive critiqued and used an editors eye on every book. I notice mission punctuation, run on sentences, missing symbols (Commas and the like) and mis-spelled words, with the occasional sentence that makes me say 'WHAT?! Oh, they mean *Insert sentence that makes sense here*'

Sadly, I think its a curse whether your a writer, or just a reader. Theres only oh so many good books, and sadly, far too many 'meh' books. I havn't read a GREAT book all year I think, which is really just plain sad.

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#12 [url]

Oct 11 07 8:12 PM

QUOTE (Rorien @ August 29, 2007 05:15 am)
I've been noticing this a bit lately too, though I haven't been editing excessively. I find I spend the first chapter or so of a new novel noticing little things I never had before - an unusual word used multiple times, for example (unless insouciant is common and I've been living in a hole in the ground), or something that I would have punctuated or phrased differently. If the story is sound, however, I'll get sucked in, regardless of the number of adjectives.

Lol, I suppose you have a point, when the books good I just dont notice, though as I said earlier, I don't see many good books lately. Not to say there's none, just less.

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#13 [url]

Oct 12 07 2:44 AM

Working has taken the joy out of reading. I love to write. After I write, I try to read something before going to bed. I still enjoy reading.

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#14 [url]

Jan 30 08 8:17 AM

I'm yet to take the plunge from I-write-because-it-is-who-I-am to putting in the hard yards to be edited, published etc...

So in answer to the question, I don't yet have this issue with writing / reading - but as a graduate music student with a piano major, for awhile I couldn't listen to any music without analysing the structure of the piece, the use of harmony, the vocal techniques of the singer (if applicable), the instrumentation, etc etc...

Then I decided that I needed to do one of two things. Either close my brain off and become entranced and feel the pure joy in any music, be it in any style of any calibre - or actually enjoy the running musical analysis my brain automatically switches to whenever listening to music.

So I do both! If you can't stop your brain from over-analysing, I guess it boils down to whether you want to. If you do, then just get swept away by the pure art of writing - even bad writing, and if you don't, then you could always just enjoy that inner judge who chatters away...

"Oh, those 3 chords have SO been done before, and that violinist sounds like he's dragging a cat across a hallway by its hind legs and its teeth scraping across the floor!"

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#15 [url]

Jan 30 08 8:00 PM

Well, the proof is out there.
In the last 3 months, Ive started reading 4 novels and put down 3 of them about a 1/4 of the way through. I noticed tons of problems and couldn't get past them. The last one I picked up blew me away. I have no idea if there were errors. All I know is that this guy knew how to tell a story.
It was refreshing to read again and to really enjoy it. Can a few of you name the best book you've ever read. I'll pick up a few and hope my luck continues.

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#16 [url]

Jan 30 08 10:37 PM

The Scarlet Pimpernel (and the rest of the series) by Baroness Orczy!

Also, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

"Headless is the new black!"
- Fashion advice by Robespierre

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#17 [url]

Feb 18 08 3:18 AM

I still read alot of books and love to read.
Though I do think differently now, before I would plod along through a book no matter how badly it was written hoping it would improve. Now if I am not liking it by the third chapter I dont bother reading more.
If anything I enjoy reading more, I know how much effort it takes to write a good book and create characters others might care about.
If anything I will read a book once and then go back threw it and read it like a writer.

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#18 [url]

Feb 18 08 5:17 AM

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. (Says the girl planning on naming her future dogs Athos, Porthos and Aramis. d'Artagnan will be the cat.)

Why so serious? - the Joker

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#19 [url]

Mar 6 08 6:12 AM

Tolkiens books. Make sure you get Children of Hurin as well, maybe stay away from the silmarillion, its long and tedious, as it takes place over several thousand years, and alot of the characters change very quickly.

Also, I am Legend, The Postman, and Alas, Babylon

Recently read all these while IVe been recovering from surgery, let me say all excellent books.

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