What ticks you off when reading a book/story? - Page 8 - WritingForums.com - Writing Forums, Writing Challenges, Critiques and Help for Writers

RinK · 05-13-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth-Teller

This is the most egregious sin King commits. He tells you the main character is going to die, and then goes about telling you--in the next one hundred pages--he dies.

He never goes with the flow, but, rather, wants to reveal everything beforehand--killing the surprise.

Yes, but the difference is, unlike most people, he does it well. When I read these little foretellings by King, I become more excited than I would have been otherwise. He doesn't kill the surprise for me - he makes me curious as to how it comes about (especially when you really care about the character).

seigfried007 · 05-14-2008, 06:55 AM

King almost has to do it because otherwise the reader is tempted to fall asleep. He at least has to allude to something happening once in a while.

seigfried007 · 05-14-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RinK

I hate when everyone raves about a book and tells you you have to read it, so you go out and get a copy, and it's a total piece of crap or just another cliche. For people to go crazy about something that sucks when you know unpublished writers who can do better - man, that just really gets my goat. *pukes* I realize it's all a matter of opinion, but still...

AMEN!!!!

Worst books I've ever read were all under the supposition-by-friend that "OMG it's just the most amazing thing ever!!!!"

Welshman · 05-14-2008, 07:24 AM

I hate it it when the author bombards the reader with a plethora of charcherters, most of whom are totally superfluous to the plot. I've come to conclusion that most of these authors are working on the hopeful premise that maybe Hollywood will pick up the book and turn it into an epic,

D

Welshman · 05-14-2008, 07:27 AM

Interesting to read the 'I hate Stephen King' comments here. Now I am no fan of his genre (if it can be categorised), but the reality is millions read and enjoy his work .. So my question is simple - Do I sense a tinge of literary jealousy?

dwellerofthedeep · 05-14-2008, 08:13 AM

If there is any jealousy toward Stephen King on this forum I think it probably comes from the rumors/claims/speculation that he doesn't really edit his work anymore. Someone will pay for everything he writes and thus he is published more than he should be even for being a good writer. I don't really have a stance on this, but if I was going to be jealous that would be why.

Sayuri · 05-14-2008, 08:37 AM

I think that Stephen King is pretty great. At least, Desperation and The Tommyknockers are great.

Anyway, what ticks me off? This will sound weird, but unnecessary descriptions of vaginas. I've about had it up to HERE with unnecessary vaginas in my fiction. I get that you're trying to be "real" or whatever, but I don't read books with "throbbing Bratwursts," okay? "Hairless clefts" aren't any better as far as I'm concerned. Yes, Alice Sebold, that means you.

seigfried007 · 05-14-2008, 09:29 AM

Thank-you, Dweller, for hitting my criticism of Stephen King before I could respond directly to Welshman (who, apparently hasn't read the man's work).

My biggest problem is that nobody edits his work. I spot lots of typos, but those are pseudo-excusable becuase I'm horrible at spotting them too. What I'm talking about is 400 pages of stuff that doesn't really matter. A lot of his books have this problem--it's a common issue with very large books.

Secondly, IT blew chunks, imho. None of it made any frigging sense. It was like he took every child's phobia, through in a little poor white trash and a token female character deemed hot who had to have sex with EVERYONE. Dumbest thing ever. I'm sorry, but children having sex in a book is a big deal for me, and to treat the little girl (who does it missionary in a sewer) as though her whole point is to be a relaxing sex-object for all of her male friends is disgusting beyond belief.

Now, I have to clarify that I've written a lot of characters with histories of childhood sexual abuse, but I don't treat any of them like objects or second-rate characters. Anyone who has lived through something legitmately traumatizing and warping to the psyche ought to be considered thoughtfully before writing.

The other bit--minor toss-off--is that his brand of horror is easy to write, imo. You throw phobias and spooky stuff and stuff that makes no sense into a hat and randomly pluck a few out, stick them in any smalltown in Maine with a few Joe Schmoes, and *voila* King horror. Hence, it's much like watching a nightmare unfold because nightmares make no sense.

***Edit***
I also must clarify that I've read lots of King and found much of it very good--specifically, I've found pieces that are shorter (like his short stories and novellas) and well-edited. I loved Carrie. Firestarter was okay (it at least came up with a reason behind pyrokinesis). I read the Wasteland (IV in the Dark Tower series) and found it suitably intriguing even if the constant repitition of what had happened earlier was a little tedious to plod through. The scenery was astounding. I loved Misery. Even Pet Sematary was good when it got going (which took nigh on forever).

Sayuri, what the hell are you reading? I've never run into that (but I can certainly see why it'd be annoying!)

Sayuri · 05-14-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seigfried007

Sayuri, what the hell are you reading? I've never run into that (but I can certainly see why it'd be annoying!)

LOL, I read all kinds of things, and it's in half the things I read lately! Even just flipping pages through a prospective book to buy, I see it: hairless cleft, better wash your cunny... OMG, it's so gross. I read pretty respectable stuff, it's not Harlequin romance novels or anything--I really think it's just a trend in popular fiction.

alanmt · 05-14-2008, 10:20 AM

King's short stuff is better. My beef with him is that he starts off writing wonderful stories but his endings are almost always very poor and don't live up to the build-up.

buyjupiter03 · 05-14-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sayuri

I really think it's just a trend in popular fiction.

Yep. It is. Everyone's hearing the message "sex sells" so they're throwing the two lead characters together in a sex scene that has nothing to do with the story. Not everyone is like this, but it seems like a good majority of authors are doing it. I skim 'em to make sure I don't miss anything important to the story like "John, I have to confess I killed your mother, do you still love me?"

However, Ken Follet can write a pretty good sex scene. It's not "icky"/ridiculous like some people write them, ie "throbbing manhood" "wet desire" things like that.

seigfried007 · 05-14-2008, 10:50 AM

Ken Follet wrote the first 'cunny' I ever read. Geez, it's every couple pages.... and the rape... and the stiffies... and the double-whammied whore... and the 12-yr-old prostitute...

(Pillars of the Earth, just in case he doesn't do that in every book)

PageOfCups · 05-14-2008, 11:13 AM

Note to self, never read Pillars of the Earth.

buyjupiter03 · 05-14-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seigfried007

Ken Follet wrote the first 'cunny' I ever read. Geez, it's every couple pages.... and the rape... and the stiffies... and the double-whammied whore... and the 12-yr-old prostitute...

(Pillars of the Earth, just in case he doesn't do that in every book)

Errr...That was kinda/sorta when he started writing. The sequel (of sorts) World without End was a lot better. Ummm...I so don't remember all that in there *scratching head* but then it's been several years since I read it.

Welshman · 05-14-2008, 12:12 PM

Interesting to note Seigfried's assumption I have not read King's work. Have you a secret job as my librarian, or is this a general assumption to score a weak point?