by Liz Talley
Often, publishers want to know what turns you on when it comes to books. It's pretty valuable information for not only the people buying, editing and marketing fiction, but for authors, too. Knowing what people want in a book helps us create works that will end up in readers' hands and not dusty and lonely on the shelf.
This past week in my local writing chapter, one of the members created a little questionnaire asking "What made you buy the last book you purchased?" and though it got me thinking about why I buy particular books, it also made me think about why I don't buy a book.
I have to say that I am different today than I was 7-8 years ago. Well, duh. I'm older, heavier (boo!) and not really much wiser (think I'm losing brain cells), but the most obvious difference is way back then I was merely a reader. My only exposure to the publishing world was in holding the product. The book. Being a writer (whether published or unpublished) changes you a little. Oh, I still love to read, but I pick books differently, and honestly, I'm less tolerant of bad or lazy writing. But even more than that, being "in the know" has changed the way I look at writers which in turn affects how I buy books.
So, you may be asking, "What's your point?" (Don't worry. Most people in my life ask that...quite often.)
My point is there are a few reasons I won't buy a writer....and many of them have nothing to do with the actual writing.
One thing that keeps me from buying a writer (even one that everyone thinks is the bomb diggity) is the way she/he behaves on social media. If I follow an author on Twitter who drops the "f" bomb left and right and engages in lots of dirty talk, it bothers me. I'm no Puritan, but it does offend me. I also don't like anyone who brings religion or politics into their tweets or posts. And, I can't stand for someone to crack jokes at other peoples' expense just so she can be deemed witty. Before Twitter I bought their books. After following them, I've given those books away and not dropped another dime on their books. Just can't do it.
Another peeve on FB and Twitter is the constant promoter. She/He has nothing more to say than "Buy my book!" If all I get from an author is "I'm on this list!" or "I'm the best-seller on this!" or "My self-pubbed book is selling better than ____," I'm not likely to buy your book. I'm not saying authors shouldn't post good news, but if that's ALL you post (aka, you're only using social media for promotion) then you're likely doing more harm than good. I'm a reader and I want interaction. I want to feel like I'm part of your life, not just some yokel targeted as a consumer.
And finally, the biggest reason I won't buy your book. No, it's not because it's not good. It's because you weren't nice when I met you.
Yeah.
I get that most readers don't get the chance to meet authors, and if they do, it's likely one or two. But because I'm now an author and I often get to mix and mingle with other authors at conferences, I do get the chance to check out the face behind the name. There have been many times that I've approached an author that I LOVE only to find her not so nice. In fact, I've felt slighted and a little like a bug that appeared on her plate. That's a really bad feeling - to go all fan-girl on an author only to find that she barely smiles at you and seems bothered by your presence. That happened to me....and I've never bought another one of her books (And I had EVERY one of them up until that time.) She lost a fan because she couldn't take a minute to chat with me about why I LOVED her writing.
Okay, I admit, those above reasons for not buying an author are pretty personal. Can my mind be changed? Sure. I'm not immature....much. I know that some of those things involve my pride or my personal tastes. And there are other reasons I won't buy books. Some have storylines that don't interest me. Some have bad backcover blurbs. Some just don't float my boat. Let's face it, there are as many people out there who don't like my writing as there are who love it. (I know. Unbelievable, huh? LOL)
So your turn....what turns you off a particular author? Theme? Plausibility? Bad hair? Actual writing style? Repetition? Repetition?
41 comments:
Bad blurbs have stopped me buying so many books. Many great books I have read recently have had extremely uninspiring blurbs. Thank goodness for the internet, where I’ve had so many books recommended to me I would never have otherwise bought.
I stopped buying one author’s books after encountering her all over social media. I am VERY happily childless by choice, and she regularly makes derogatory comments about women who are childless. I don’t feel incomplete, but according to her I am.
I’m also not a fan of blonde jokes. It might sound petty, but after a lifetime of having my intelligence judged (poorly) by my appearance, it’s a biggie for me. If I encounter things like that in a book, I’m definitely going to think twice before buying another by the same writer.
I won’t buy a secret baby story unless I know in advance there’s a reasonable explanation for the situation – but that’s not something you can usually find out until you’ve already bought the book!
Hi, Liz! I have to say that, though I wouldn't have thought of them myself, many of the things you've written would totally turn me off an author, too. I don't mind a moral message or even a mild religious theme, and I can even feel strongly positive about an author's personal story (like in a blog) that involves a belief theme in one way or another. That's more like involving me in her life. However, I don't want to feel like I've been preached to when reading either a book or a blog or a tweet, and there is definitely a difference. Since politics are also very polarizing, I don't much want to read about that in any significant way, either.
Like Natalia, secret baby stories can be a turn-off for me, depending upon why the baby has been kept secret. There are precious few good reasons for not letting a child's father know he has a child, IMHO. The fact that he hurt the heroine's feelings or turned her away at some point is not good enough.
Infidelity is a big no-no for me. I told my DH before we were married that if he was ever tempted to stray, he'd better be very sure he wanted the other person because it would absolutely break my heart and all the trust I had in him. I might forgive him (doubtful, but possible, I suppose), but I COULD NOT ever forget. Our relationship would never be the same. So, I don't want to read about cheating spouses, either.
I suppose the biggest turn-off for me is a man who is uber arrogant or cruel (and I don't mean arrogant about his ability to satisfy, but more in terms of being haughty and cold). In fact, the prevalence of that theme in one of Harlequin's lines is the reason why I will almost never buy a book from that line. Though the heroes come around in the end, I can't imagine ever forgiving a man who was willing to treat me that way, and I usually think the heroine is weak and stupid if she forgives him, too, no matter how much groveling he does. That scenario plays out every day with battered women where one minute the husband is cold and verbally or physically abusive and the next he's so sorry because he loves her so much. So, I don't want to read about that. Those men are not hero material to me.
Hmmm...never thought about some of those points, Natalia. But they are very good ones. I have children and I often post about them in blogs, FB or Twitter but I've never thought about how they read to someone who doesn't have children. I suppose we always come from a place of our experiences, and for an author that's a double-bladed sword.
Twitter is fun, but I think it can hurt authors as much as it can help them. Let's face it, sometimes it's better if the author remains the person behind the book, faceless and mysterious, rather than in your face annoying. LOL
And now I'm trying to think if I have any dumb blonde jokes in my books...
Thanks for the comments :)
One other thing, Liz. Consistently poor grammar really drives me crazy and turns me off an author. For that I blame the editorial staff as much as the author. Why, oh why, do they not point out an incorrect usage, especially one that is repeated throughout a book!?!
I don't demand absolutely perfect grammar, and I'm not talking about something written once in a book that could just be a typo. Heaven knows, I make my own grammatical errors, and I realize only too well that sometimes what you type is not what you thought you were typing. I find myself making those errors all the time in blog posts -- usually just after I've committed a comment to the ether. What I'm talking about is an error that is repeated, either within a book or in subsequent books by the same author.
I'll give you an example. One author in particular writes about vampires. Her books were among the first that made the concept of vampires as heroes palatable for me because of the characterization. However, she consistently writes "had drank" in her books, maybe 10 times in a book, and it drives me wild. The past perfect form of "to drink" is "drunk", not "drank". Correct: "He had DRUNK his fill." Incorrect: "He had DRANK his fill." That's a grammar basic.
Since that phrase was repeated in each book a number of times, I was ready to throw the books against a wall by the time I finished them. It totally pulled me out of the story each time, and after purchasing her second book, I haven't purchased any more.
So, please editors, pay attention to grammar! If an author makes a consistent or glaring error, please send that back with a notation to correct it!
My number one reason for not buying an author's books is really petty but I refuse to buy any author who will only allow Americans to enter their contests. That's why Super authors are so wonderful, they send books to winners around the world regardless of cost. Australian and New Zealand author's rock by the way. It is a perception thing for me as I feel very slighted by this factor. Yes they always have the disclaimer that it is on legal advice but I know other authors send books out without problems. The author usually has control over which name they pick so let me enter your contest and check where I'm from in private and pick another name if you find out I don't live in your inner circle.
I don't facebook or tweet. However the F bomb would get to me as well.
I read a lot of different Harlequin lines and I have found some auto buy authors in the Love Inspired lines. I have also found some who write a sermon in their books. These authors I don't read again. I read to be entertained not preached at. This is also true with pet projects that authors have. I don't want to be told in a book that I should support such and such project. It's one thing to include a charity in the story and another thing to make you feel bad for not supporting that charity.
There are hundreds of books written every month. I buy from friends nowadays. People I've met here or on other blogs.
All good points, JV. I've never tried to work the secret baby angle. I always joke and say I'm going to write a secret baby book where the hero is the uncle, the heroine has amnesia, and they're trapped on a ranch in a snow storm... and the cat gives birth to six kittens. LOL.
Some writing friends swear my motto is "All emotion. No kittens or babies." LOL. So I understand your frustration with secret babies.
I also get the uber-arrogant CEO type. I think that's why I fit with Superromance best. My heroes have warts, but I try like heck to make them real and "hero" material. It's a hard balance because those men on paper have to be "real" and "fantasy" at the same time.
Yeah, religion and politics just are the best ideas when trying to reach out to readers who are not always similar to the author. I love the diversity of the writing community and readers.
LOL! Normally, I'd be fine with the cats theme, at least, but since we just took in an injured stray temporarily only to find out she was pregnant and now find ourselves with 5 extra cats (we already had 2) that we don't know what to do with, that theme might be a little too close to home for me. At least our stray only had 4 kittens.
I SOOO agree with what everyone has said so far. I too changed my buying habits when I started to blog and "talk to" authors. Back blurbs don't mean as much as reading excerpts and knowing the background on books. In fact, once I buy (or sometimes win) a book, I no longer read the back blurbs. I just pick up the books and read them. I buy based on the author and sometimes just the line of books, as now that I'm exposed to so many books online, I am more selective on how I want to spend my reading time. This really matters when I have read over 250 books every year since 1974.
Much as I use foul language in "real life", I absolutely abhor it in books. That is one of the reasons that some books don't get finished. I don't consider "F me" to be what people really say. "Make love to me" or even "let's do it" seem more commonplace, and using "F" repeatedly makes ME want to throw the book across the room.
Like JV, poor grammar ticks me off considerably. I don't read vampire books, but I would feel the same way about "had drank". UH!! My DH's family and my DH continue to say "I seen", which really really annoys me. I glare at my DH, but sometimes, at 62, I think it is so engrained in his vocabulary that he just doesn't get it. It must be okay if all of his siblings and mother continually say it, right? NO!!!
Also like JV, I read Love Inspired books, but I get turned off when religion is absolutely shoved down my throat. I make a note never to buy that author's books again, but I keep reading others' L.I. books because some of them aren't so "in your face" and I, of course, enjoy reading them.
Like Kaelee, I watch for those authors who don't send out of the US re their legal advice disclaimer. I find it amazing, as I have received US books that cost less than $3 to send to me, but Australians will pay over $10 and not quibble. I recently mailed an author a gift, after first confirming I could do so, as she doesn't give out her home address (understandably) and I suggested sending it to her publisher. I sent it the cheapest way possible to Australia. It cost me around $9 and will take up to 6 weeks to arrive (supposedly), and then further time for the publisher to set it aside or mail it to the author, but why not? I'm sure she'll appreciate it. And I don't get to write it off at income tax time. Grin and bear it comes to mind.
I keep track of typos and then when I'm emailing an author (not blogging), I will mention the page number, etc. so that the author can make a note for further publications. I realize it's too late for this batch of books, but there's always the chance that the book will come out again, perhaps in an anthology or a reprint with a different title/cover, so why not "fix it" before it throws off more people along the way?
Good point, Kaelee. I too buy from my friends, and yes, many are my "Super" friends. The one thing I DO like about SuperRomances is the length of the stories. I feel like I am getting my money's worth in every book, but it's such a bonus when you can buy from your friends.
Thank you, Super friends.
Great thoughts, Liz. I have to agree that I now buy books I wouldn't have before--if I'm connected with an author on Social Media and get to really enjoy her posts, I'm going to support her writing career, too. I agree that politics and religion don't need to be in posts, and they're never on my author page on FB. But my personal page has many different viewpoints from my friends all over the world...
Curiously, why would mailing books to Canada (or outside the US) be a legal issue? Does anyone know?
I don't know about the legal issue. Heck, I've been mailing all over to people who've won my books. Jeez, if it's illegal or potentially illegal, y'all don't tell me. LOL
I have to agree about inspirational books. I like many of them, but if it's preachy it becomes not about the story...and I'm all about the story. So that would include charity stuff. I love that authors like to bring awareness, but it's still all about the story. That has to come first.
In regards to grammar I'm a little ambivalent. I've caught a mistake in all of my books so far....and I, as a former English teacher, read, reread, and still reread the book along with my editor and copywriter. Somehow things slip by without notice. Just got the copies of my Oct. book in the mail yesterday, and I found a comma error. No big deal in a way because it threw me out for a millisecond, but I still noticed it. But if it's something continually used, then I get being annoyed by it. Hey, don't discriminate against my Oct book because there is a typo! LOL.
I truly love kittens. I'm going to put one in my next book.
Hee. JV--I'm putting my fingers in my ears right now. I mail books all over the place and I do not want to know I'm a criminal! ;-) (Actually, I am interested in the facts, but I have no intention of ending my international-mailing crime spree.)
Lay down. That's my grammar trigger. I see it in so many books and it makes me nuts. As Sister Raymond taught me, "Chickens lay eggs. People lie down."
I find social media challenging because I'm constantly second-guessing myself around the types of issues we're all mentioning.
On the other hand, I've enjoyed the online connections I've made with folks through social media. I think if I weren't an author I would be a massive lurker so I'm glad I've been forced out of my observer role. I still worry all the time that I'm going to make a joke that comes off insensitive, but I think the risk is worth the reward of meeting and getting to know so many of my fellow readers.
Interesting post, Liz!
Liz, I'm with you--one of my pet peeves with authors is the "Buy my book!" type, who does nothing but push those sales. I know we need to try to 'sell' our work, but I like to feel a connection with a person outside of an exhortation to purchase her books. As well, I notice on loops that I'm on that there are authors who will trumpet their own good news without ever congratulating another author for her accolades. I prefer a give-and-take relationship.
That's why I appreciate the Superauthor 'sisterhood' because there is so much support! I never hesitate to buy a Super author's work ;-)
As authors we need to remember that we are truly the ambassadors of our work and people react to our personalities. If someone tells us that they like our writing, we need to take it to heart rather than brushing them off. We need to be polite, AT THE VERY LEAST. I'm always so thrilled when someone tells me they loved one of my books. I hope I never grow tired of that!
I have to say I haven't been able to get into the whole paranormal romance thing. You can debate Alphas versus Beta heroes, but for me, they at least need to be HUMAN. Vampires totally creep me out. Even way back when Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt did that movie--ick!
I have purchased two paranormal romances simply because I met the authors and really like them. One I actually enjoyed the book, it had a quirky sense of humor that allowed me to get into the story. The other one, I've just started, so I'll give it a chance.
I have to say that the majority of my purchases of new authors have been because of their blogs. If I can relate to the author (Hey she has a laundry pile bigger than Mt. Shasta just like me!) then I will be more likely to take a chance, even if it is a secret baby story.
Only once have I been disappointed in a book when I really liked the author. I met an author at a Border's book signing and bought her historical. But she took it a little too far in the sex scene and I couldn't quite get past it. This made me sad because she was really nice and friendly and I wanted to support her.
Social media is tough because you want to be yourself, but you have to mind what you say because folks can't "hear" the inflection in your tone. There have been plenty of times I said something that I had to go back and put, "You know I was kidding, right?" just to make sure that person knew it was a joke. I like to interact in social media, but I'm also careful because who knows what offends now days. And, Mary, I know it's hard for some authors who have been told to blog until their fingers bleed by their publishers or agents or whoever, but I hate seeing nothing but promo from some authors. You're right, it is a relationship.
Vampires! I'm with you, Kristina. Maybe it's because I'm squeamish. I'm not into blood-sucking. Nothing sexy about that to me. But each to his or her own (notice that correct pronoun-antecendant agreement.)
Hey, Ellen, remind me to tell you sometime about my funny teaching story about teaching rise/raise.
OMG, Liz, what a great topic! I agree with most people's comments, but there is one major offense I absolutely cannot ignore when I’m reading for pleasure. If I’m bored (I realize that’s my own issues showing, but we won’t go there.) I’m outta there and on to the next book.
Yeah, Mary, my time is too precious to be bored, but I will say, I don't discard the author. I try to give second chances on later books.
So funny but you mention boredom as being your own issue, but I think boredom is subjective. I've had a person anonymously say one of my books was so boring she'd die if she had to live in Oak Stand, and another tell me she'd love to live in such a simple, good place. Personal preference, I guess. What one reader finds as a dull plot, another will cherish for the details and warmth. I think that's called perspective and we all bring different perspectives to our reading. Isn't that cool?
Mary Sullivan,
You said, "I'm always so thrilled when someone tells me they loved one of my books. I hope I never grow tired of that!" Well ... thought you should know I loved BEYOND ORDINARY ... couldn't put it down ... and you had a lot of enjoyable subplots.
Liz Talley,
While I'm on the subject, I read VEGAS TWO-STEP and loved that SuperRomance as well! I had many a lovely dream about Jack Darby and thought he was great hero material ... I smiled lots, especially when reading your descriptions as a librarian, etc. ... and I thought it was one of the best "feel-good" books I'd read in quite awhile.
Mary Brady,
You said, "If I’m bored ... I’m outta there and on to the next book." Pre-blogging, I would read the entire book because "I paid for it, so I'm going to read it!" Since blogging in June/09, I now recognize when I'm not thrilled with the book, so I skip to the last 20 pages or so (more if it's an Intrigue) and read the ending before chucking it. Thankfully, that doesn't happen as often now that I blog and get a "feel" for each book before actually reading it.
"thought you should know I loved BEYOND ORDINARY ... couldn't put it down ... and you had a lot of enjoyable subplots."
Laney, you just made my day!!!! Thank you!
Laney4 - look at you being so nice and taking my "what I don't like about a book" post and telling what you like. Thank you so much for the compliment. It really is the best feeling to know someone appreciates your work. I loved writing that book - it was my first attempt at writng contemporary. I'd previously been writing Regency, so Nellie and Jack will always be special to me. And yeah, I made Jack Darby an ideal. He's still my favorite hero I've written :)
I also love that you finish the book...even if you skip the middle. Nothing like making sure you get your money's worth. Too funny.
Great post, Liz.
I just commented on the eHQ Superromance thread that this blog forum has been fabulous lately. Great topics. Wide and varied, with wonderful replies that are honest and thought-provoking.
One thing I don't think was made clear, though: the author doesn't write the back blurb on Superromances. One of my books had an element of paranormal in it. I expected to see some mention of this on the back blurb since I thought it would make the book sell like crazy. No mention at all. Not even an vague allusion to the fact my heroine spent part of the book in the body of the hero's aging police dog. When I asked my editor why, she said, "We didn't want to give any reader a reason to put the book down." Hmmm...
Keep up the good work, everyone. (I, on the other hand, am blogging about nonsense...like Cowboys & Aliens.)
Deb
I"m turned off on writers who use too much foul language in their stories. I also am turned off by the subject matter....you will never catch me reading anything that Stephen King writes.
JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com
Ellen said: (Actually, I am interested in the facts, but I have no intention of ending my international-mailing crime spree.)
That's what I love about you, Ellen! I agree that the lay-lie bothers me, too, but I can understand why it's confusing. So, I try not to let it get to me. I think a large part of the confusion stems from the cross-over between the two. The past tense of to lie (as in down, not as in fibbing) is the same as the present tense of to lay, which confuses people.
________________TO LIE_______TO LAY
present:__________lie__________LAY
past:____________LAY_________laid
past participle:_____lain_________laid
present part.:______lying________laying
See, confusing! (Boy, is it hard to line things up in a comment!)
I try to remember the act of reclining (to lie) doesn't take an object, whereas putting something else down (to lay) does.
Then, to further confuse things, there's the whole use of "to lay" in a sexual context. In that respect, people do lay other people, which fits the definition of to lay or put something/someone else into a reclining position and then...
Less versus fewer, anyone? LOL!
Foul language can definitely put people off. I do use some bad language in my books, but nothing too repulsive. I try to climb into my characters' skin and sometimes they are naughtier than I am. LOL.
There are a few Stephen King books that I have loved. I particalarly like Shawshank Redemption and I also like The Green Mile. Some of the strictly horror books are not really my cup of tea, but I do remember reading Rose Madder when I was young and feeling terrified at the opening of that book. His material might not float a reader's boat, but he can scare the willies out of ya. Thanks for the comment, Jackie.
Awesome, JV. Nice grammar lesson.
So, I might as well tell y'all my funny rise/raise story. So waaaaay back when I first started teaching as a 22 year old, I had a sophomore English cless (honors) and I was in the middle of teaching "Six Troublesome Verbs." I had already warned them about "laid." They giggled a little but we moved on. So I got to Rise and Raise. I gave the following definitions:
Rise is "something that happens without action. You don't have to do anything because it will happen on its own. Rise happens without anyone doing anything."
"Raise needs action. Somebody must do something for "raise" to occur. Raise takes work."
Of course, I had examples on the board and I explained the concept of taking an object, etc. But every time I said those explanations, these two guys just turned red and cracked up. I started getting annoyed. I looked at them and said "What?"
And then I saw in their eyes what had gotten them tickled. Yeah. Guess I didn't think about how much teenaged boys think about sex and erections. The worse thing is I started giggling which made them giggle harder. Only the three of us were laughing. All the other kids were saying. "What?" Finally, I started laughing so hard, I had to step outside. After I shut the door, I heard one of the guys explain and then the whole class started laughing. It's a funny memory.
Wow - so many comments. The only books I do not like are Paranormal and I will only read a paranormal book if I already like the author because she also writes mainstream books.
Hi JV--I like your grammar chart very much. I appreciate the time you put into it. It's lovely. ;-)
I've looked around and can't seem to find out why folks think it might cause legal trouble to extend contest prizes to people outside the US. I've found plenty of people who say they've gotten legal advice not to do it, but I can't find a place where there's an explanation.
The closest I got was on Courtney Milan's blog, but she seemed to be talking about complicated contests with entry requirements, not just "I'll send a book to someone who comments."
So the crime spree continues--next appointment with the shady side of town: my Thursday blog. Hey, if a person outside the US wins and I send them a book, does that make them my accomplice? Then I wouldn't be just a criminal, right? I'd be more of a crime boss!
Liz, great post, interesting comments. The only thing that will make me not buy a book is if I don't like the subject matter or the writing or I find that author's stories don't engage me.
I can't imagine why sending a book outside the country could possibly be illegal. Could it be an excuse not to pay extra postage? I mail people books via Book Depository. They're not signed but at least they get them and it's half the price for me.
Please don't blame the author for typos and poor grammar. I've had books where I've gone over the final proofs with a fine tooth comb making sure everything was perfect or as close as I could make it. Then I read over my published book and there were all sorts of typos, grammar problems, even paragraphs left out or rearranged. I have no idea how that could have happened but it wasn't me. Now I don't read my books once they're in print in case I see something wrong because it upsets me.
Funny story about rise and raise, Liz :)
I am very much an "in the mood" reader. How many times have I read a blurb, decided not to read the book, then find out it was a gem later on and order it. (Hmm, hack, cough, uh hmmm...Amy,remember I am taking you to Bali on my kindle now.)
Excessive typos can be distracting. I don't blame authors for typos but if I see that an author has just been producing the same book over and over, well, that is a different story. Just because someone has built a following on one type of story, setting, hero/heroine is no excuse not to grow and challenge the reader a bit.
I don't worry about how an author engages me on FB. Good grief, y'all are busy enough as it is! The great thing about author pages is that it lets an author differentiate between personal and professional.
Peace, Julie
I'm putting my fingers in my ears over that sort of legality issue.
Joan - I haven't seen too many errors in mine, but, yeah, sometimes it's not our fault. Errors happen. It's different if something is fraught with them, but one or two, meh. That's just life. I can let one or two slide.
Julie - isn't it wonderful that we can find out something we thought was not for us is something more worthwhile than thought? Or at least I hope the companion you're taking to Bali turns out that way. I'm thinking you'll like it.
As for dividing personal and private, I've not done it yet. I'm just me. I don't really feel the need to divide myself in that way. Anyone can friend me on FB (well, almost anyone...if you don't have any friends, your name is Dave and you're looking for a date, don't send a request). I'm under Amy Liz Talley and it's the same on Twitter. I probably should do two separate pages and list myself under LIZ on Twitter, but I haven't yet. But that is a good point, Julie.
It's been so fun today... I've got an early start tomorrow so I'm off to enjoy a bubble bath courtesy of my kids who brought home a big basket of goodies from Bath and Body for me. Time for pampering. I'll check back tomorrow to see if any of our Aussie/NZ/or other hemisphere friends let us know what turns them off....cause I really want to know :)
Hi Liz,
Please don't hold it against me that I never have anything witty to tweet ;)
Liz--this is a great blog topic. I've loved the comments and got a laugh out of the raise/rise English lesson. Ah, hormones. One thing that bugs me (pet peeve, not a broken grammar rule) is when an explanation is given after a dialogue tag. For example, "Yada, yada," she said, scolding him. Or "Yada, yada," he said, teasing her. But that's just me.
Hi, from Australia - for me it's how Australians are often portrayed in books. Books written by those who are not Australian. I cringe & refuse to read. Stick to the culture you know best or research thoroughly. It's insulting.
Great topic, Liz. I've been trying to think what puts me off buying a book. I will pretty much give anything a shot, but I usually like to either open the book at some point and read a few pages to see if I like the author's voice, or read an excerpt for the same reason. I gave up on blurbs a long time ago! As for author behavior, I agree that meeting someone in person can be a real eye opener. I am not big on thrusting myself on people, so I had to really psych myself up to go introduce myself to an author at our Australian conference recently - and she was so distant and disinterested that she just reinforced all my reasons for never introducing myself to people! I also don't like be lectured to, and I don't like supporting people who I know have views on certain issues that very strongly differ from mine. For example, my brother is gay, so any book/writer that is homophobic either directly or indirectly is on my no-go list. I'm sure I have other bugbears, but I won't bore you with more!
I love reading the opinions of the authors on this blog and it does encourage me to reach for their books first when I'm buying as I feel like I know them a bit. So thank you all for blogging here.
I've been reading gingerly this year. I don't read violence and I don't read paranormal. And I really don't like surprises of this nature. I have bought 6 books this year containing nasty surprises. It makes me question not only the author, who thought I would enjoy it, but the new direction the series is moving in as these books have editorial direction.
The other thing that brings me back to authors over and over again is that their books have a story I haven't read before. I like an interesting external plot that embraces the romantic plot. HSR is good at this.
p.s. None of the books I couldn't read were from the HSR series.
Ro- My tweets usually tank. No one responds to them. I swear it's like crickets when I tweet.
Jeannie - I have to really concentrate on not doing that. Really, repetition is my biggest problem. I realized yesterday it's likely I do that because I was a daydreamer as a child so when my mother gave instruction, she usually said everything twice. It's so her fault. :)
Marybelle - I guess I never think of a stereotype when it comes to Australia/NZ. I usually can't tell a US book from an Aussie book. When I first started reading overseas authors with Supers, I would go chapters not knowing where in the heck they were. Then it would dawn on me. Plus, I would never take on a country I've not been to. Hmmmm...maybe I need a trip down under :)
Sarah - I often think about how I portray gay characters. The one character I've had thus far (Jeremy) I loved. He had such depth and was so much fun. But I have to be careful not to go too stereotypical in portraying gay men cause I love the really flamboyant ones. Guess I need a brooding gay man. I've not written any lesbians in any of my books yet. But you are correct, it's important to actively think about our portrayals of all races, ethnic groups, and sexual orientation. Jeez, I'm feeling the pressure :)
Linda S - LOL. I immediately starting thinking "Did I surprise Linda this year?" Good to know HQ series is even keel for you.
Oh, sorry I didn't mention this yesterday, Liz. Very cute children!
I hate it when books don't have back blurbs or inside cover blurbs or wishy washy blurbs. I also agree with you Liz that if an author is only using social media to promote her books and has nothing else, then I won't buy her books and I'll defriend her/him. I don't like the foul mouthing on social media either. I'm not a saint and I use the F word, but I don't use it in social media or as part of my ordinary speaking language. I don't like it when the hero or heroine says F me when they want or are having sex. Vampires and Zombies totally turn me off. Bad grammar is another thing that puts road blocks up when I'm reading. I don't mind if it's part of a character's voice, but I don't like it when it's part of the narration.
I don't mind hearing about author's children when it's part of their life. Just makes them human. I don't judge and don't expect to be judged based on a decision to have or not to have children. I would not read an author who tried to push his/her values on me. I read Love Inspired and like a lot of them, but there are some that I haven't finished because of the "moralizing" in the storyline.
I always thought the international mailing thing was because of the cost, but I guess there could be some rules on contests. I know that some contests I've seen eliminate some states because of their laws. Usually these are for big ticket items though, so not sure why a book valued at $10 or less could be a problem legally. Maybe you have to have alternative ways to hold the contests, kind of like those contests that allow you to mail in a post card instead of filling out their contest fors? But then again it would matter to some states too, so that still doesn't explain why it's only the international mailing that is being singled out. Interesting question...
Post a Comment