I’m going to mention another recent post by K.M. Weiland today, in which she asks the question “Why do bad books get published?”
Bottom line – if a book appeals to someone, then it isn’t bad. Everyone has different tastes. What may annoy you or me isn’t necessarily a problem to others.
What really caught my eye, though, was a reference to writers in particular. Yes, we are readers too, but as writers, we have an added onus to our fellows in the trenches. Weiland quoted agent Rachelle Gardner as saying:
“If you’re just a reader, someone outside the community of people who produce books, you can complain and criticize all you want. But once you decide to join the club, I think it’s time to take the high road. I think the appropriate thing to do is to try our darnedest to lift other writers up, not put them down. I think it’s best to try and honor the process of other writers, even if we can’t admire their work. And we need to acknowledge that if a “bad book” is selling, there must be people who like it. …the truth is, when we put down other writers, it sounds like we’re saying “I can do better than this” and it’s unattractive, no matter how true. If you can do better, then do it.”
This very reason is why Alex started the IWSG and he epitomizes that spirit of support. Thank you, Alex, for what you do for the writing community!
This is a really interesting look at what people consider “bad” books, and how fellow writers should stick together. It’s actually made me take a closer look at my own feelings for “bad” books and whether they’re misguided.
Hi Clare! It’s especially sad when one writer trashes another. We all know how hard it is to write a book. Thanks for stopping by!
Well thank you, Laura!
Being able to champion my fellow writers and authors has been the greatest blessing of my journey. I am humbled by the talent that now surrounds me.
You are a super ninja cheerleader, Alex!
I don’t trash books or authors (well, mostly; I may mock something to friends and family), but if I don’t like something as a reader, I will say so — whether it’s because the number of characters confused me, or I never saw something get resolved, or for whatever reason, the book just never grabbed me. Two examples (neither of which are in any danger of selling less because of my opinion): I never liked Catcher in the Rye, and I couldn’t bring myself to finish Catch-22. You know what? That’s fine. I’m not their target audience. Other people love these books, and I’m not saying they’re wrong for doing so. We just don’t have the same taste.
Hi, Erin! I think your reasons are fine. It’s more the trashing of books like “Twilight” from other authors who haven’t even read it that I’m thinking of. Or the authors who “troll” other books and make disparaging remarks in the reviews for the purpose of bashing the author.
I think we are all so different and there will never be a book that the whole world likes. People have different tastes and things they like. I’ve never trashed a book and if I have nothing good to say I will not be rude and trash a person.
It’s too bad everybody doesn’t think like you, Savannah! We should all take the high road.
Everyone does have different tastes.
“If you can do better, then do it.” – So true!
It’s a great motto for everything in life, Cherie!
I don’t know why a writer who actually reads a book can’t legitimately express her or his thoughts about it, even if some of those thoughts are negative. But I agree with you, Laura, “trashing” a book is something else. The dictionary on my desk defines “trash” in this sense as follows: “To wreck or destroy, as by vandalism.” No writer, or reader, should engage in that. As for myself, I doubt that any well-known, best-selling authors such as those referred to above would care if I gave them one-star reviews on Amazon or anywhere else. And what good would one more five-star review do them? So I figure writing reviews of those authors’ books are a waste of my time. Struggling indie writers, though, are another matter. I’m attempting to write as many reviews for them as I can find the time to do. But, knowing how difficult writing and self-publishing a book is, I refuse to write a review unless I feel I can honestly give it five stars. I simply don’t want to give the person who wrote the book one more reason to feel “insecure.” If I read the first chapter and encounter poor or nonexistent editing, or if I go further into a work of fiction and realize the plot makes no sense, I simply close the book and say nothing about it. I also oppose the view that current sales are the best measure of a book’s worth. Maybe a book isn’t selling well today, perhaps because so few readers know about it, but what about two, twenty, or two hundred years from now — when many current best-sellers will be forgotten?
I’m with you, Ron. If I can’t say something nice, I don’t say anything at all. As for sales, so many writers, artists, and other creative types only become highly regarded and famous after their deaths. Personally, I’d really like to buck that trend.
So would I, Laura.
Thank you for your thoughts. I am new to blogging and over time I have developed a lot of respect for anybody who has the courage to write. I used to be quite bitter about established authors who seem to always get published. I realise now how unproductive it was to be like that. This IWSG by Alex has made me a better person, not just a better writer. You make a lot of good points in this post and I really enjoyed reading it. Good luck !
Hi, Clayton! Alex is so good at setting an example of people supporting each other. We all must move ahead with whatever means are available to us and not fret over what imagined breaks the other guy is getting, IMHO. Thanks for stopping by!
I totally agree about taking the high road and doing something to help other writers. Lots of ways we can do this, including IWSG. Helping to promote one another is another.
You do a lot of promoting other authors on your blog, Stephen! You’re one of the good guys. You leave the lava lamp to watch over us, too.
Very insightful post. I’ve decided to join the Insecure Writers Support Group. I love the support and spirit of unity I’m seeing in these posts.
Yay, Stephanie! It’s such a good group. Thanks for stopping by!
This is so well stated. If a fellow writer starts putting down another book, or personally attacking a writer. I just find it ugly and distasteful. We are all on this journey together.
You are so right about Alex. He does lift us up daily.
Exactly, Ciara. We are all on this journey together. You do a goodly share of uplifting other writers as well!
Great post. All for one and one for all.
The way it should be, Carol.
I agree, one of the things I love most about the writing community is how supportive it is. There are a rare few that feel they can belittle other writers, but putting someone else down does not make your writing any better, the only way to do that is to focus on your own words. I just tried to read a novel that recently won a literary award and sold out at my local bookstore. A third of the way through, I’ve put it down as I’m finding it painfully dull. I don’t know what others see in it, but a lot of people are getting joy out of that book – so I say good for them and let it be. The author obviously did something right.
Hi, Charmaine! Wouldn’t the world be dull if we all enjoyed the same thing? I’ve put down many a book myself that others highly rate. To each his own, I say. It gives all of us a chance to find an audience, since everyone’s different. Thanks for stopping by!
Well stated, Laura! Visiting from the IWSG. I’ve had an outsider (from the writing world) bash something I wrote last year. I wanted to scream, “If you haven’t lived in this world, you have no room to talk.” They realize how tough it is.
It’s tough, Candy. We pour our essence into a book and hang it out for all to see.
Thanks for stopping by!
Its so easy to say: “I can do better,” but with writing, the cliche “Easier said than done” holds a lot of merit.
Very true, Liza! That applies to just about anything in life, as well.
Thanks for stopping by!
Well said, Laura. I completely agree. I just hopped over here from Alex’s blog.
Hi, Lynn! Thanks for stopping by.
Great post! I totally agree with your view point and would just like to say how much I appreciate IWSG and all of Alex’s effort to lift and expose other writers. He is totally awesome!
Alex is so supportive of others, Carolyn, as are the rest of the IWSG participants! Thanks for stopping by.
I agree with you one hundred and one per cent, Laura. Well said.
Hi Cathy! Thanks for stopping by.