Ever watch a movie, read a book, watch a TV show and think,”I would have done something different there because that is so not what a person would really do or the delivery is not at all relatable”?
Well I was tired of doing that, so I decided to write my own story. A story where I am in control, and where my characters do things that real people would actually do, because I can relate to a character who is not sure they would jump for joy at having to save the world, if they had failed to save everyone else they cared about.
So I write the story that should have been written in the first place. I am a firm believer that adding joy to the world is better than adding the dressiness of reality. If I am writing fantastical fiction than it should not be a tragedy but a triumph something that inspires hope not the hopeless gut wrenching truth that is the human condition.
If I wanted to do that then I would write non-fiction. So if my writing delivery seems lackluster to a seasoned writer, but is eaten up by the readers then who is right in this situation? The veteran that doesn’t change with the times is destined to be left behind while the world around them changes.
Sorry for the rant. Just got a critique on my book, and the reader said that the book was not going to sell because I gave the reader everything they wanted and only one person died, and by doing that, it made it unrealistic. ITS A WORK OF !@%!@%$@# FICTION!! It’s suppose to be unrealistic.
I hear what the reader is saying. And while I can see his general viewpoint I refuse to write stories that pull at the emotions of the readers only to leave them empty and wondering. What good does writing do if it evokes the emotions of hate, disdain and regret.
Would anyone argue the point, that those kinds of stories do the world any good?
Did anyone see the Movie The Grey? What was the emotional roller-coaster for, to prove the writer could evoke your emotions and massage his ego? The movie left you empty with a hopeless outcome. My wife and the couple we were watching with felt the same way, are we not entitled to feel that way? We paid for the story, it just didn’t deliver for us.
Don’t get me wrong some tragedies serve their purpose in teaching a lesson, as in the story of Romeo and Juliet. But their is no reason, in my opinion, to bring to the world a story in which their is no more usefulness than to point out that the world sucks.
So to bring this all back full circle, the only critique really worth weighing is the one whose publishing your work, the reader who is reading it, and the customer who is buying it.
Okay come on, do I have any takers? Who wants to read my MS?
Jason, if I had the time I would love to read your book. However, for beta readers, for me at least, you don’t want other writers. You want readers. Ones that would be likely to read your book if they came across it on Goodreads or their local bookstore. I am very lucky to work at one of the largest school districts in the country which made it easier to find beta readers. Mine ranged from age 13 – 69. Hardly any of them knew me personally, but they were local so I could give them hard copies of my book. For writer, agent, editor feedback, I really would consider the online fantasy and sci-fi workshop. It costs a small fee (nothing too much – maybe $50 for a year) but there are loads of professional writers, agents, and editors on the site. http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/
Good luck on the query train. I can’t wait to hear how things go
Thanks EM I am already in the works of signing up. SFF is so awesome, so glad you guys pointed me in this direction!
As long as a story is good, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be happy. I don’t mind if the story is so tragic that it makes me cry, or so cute that it makes me smile, or so funny that it makes me laugh; if I react to it, it means that I connect with it. It’s nice when a book makes you escape your reality for a bit.
If all you wish for is someone to read and comment, I will be more than happy to oblige !
Interesting thoughts. I’m not sure I agree- I like a good tragedy. But, I do agree you need to be true to your heart. If tragedy isn’t your thing – it won’t sound good coming from your pen. Best of luck to you!