That is an excellent question, and I have to say that if a story is poorly-written, I cannot even get past the first few pages. If it's rather trite, I can deal with that. However, when it comes to bad writing, atrocious grammar, or ridiculous dialogue, any of those can quickly stop me from reading a story all the way through to the end.
Are your favorite novels well-written?
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Upvote for this 'on-target' analysis.
One of my favorites is the whole series of Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan and Mars novels. Lots of implausibility and "bad" writing, but they are still page-turners.
My other favorite is Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." Not just a great story, but very well-written. Every time I read it, I find something new to admire.
Two very different authors.
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Good writing doesn't necessarily have to follow all those writing rules we all latch onto. In fact, if someone can pull you into their world and not let you go while blatantly head-hopping, overusing adverbs, telling not showing, and flaunting said-isms, more power to them. They're probably a way better writer than I.
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I would like both. If I find it doesn't flow well or some such thing, then it's difficult to get involved.
However, if its an engaging story with interesting characters, I can normally forgive it as a 'good' book. I love Stephen King, even though he has his hits and misses as well.
One thing that really gets me is multiple series books, in which almost the same plot happens over and over again. Take the Anita Blake series for example. I fell in love with the characters, and I'd say the first 7-9 books are great. However, eventually it just became same plot with different twist or different plot with same twist. I think she's beyond her 20th book in that series... which should have ended by now.
However, if its an engaging story with interesting characters, I can normally forgive it as a 'good' book. I love Stephen King, even though he has his hits and misses as well.
One thing that really gets me is multiple series books, in which almost the same plot happens over and over again. Take the Anita Blake series for example. I fell in love with the characters, and I'd say the first 7-9 books are great. However, eventually it just became same plot with different twist or different plot with same twist. I think she's beyond her 20th book in that series... which should have ended by now.
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If it's written badly, I won't be able to read it. Of course, there are some books out there I've tried to read that have hundreds of reviews about how well-written they are, and I can't stand them. So, bad writing must be subjective.
It depends on the type of "badly written" we're talking about. Low-grade badly written - i.e. excessive use of descriptive adverbs, purple prose, some repetitiousness in the phrasing - I can forgive for a really engaging plot and characters. I could forgive this more readily in my younger years, though.
Overall, though, I don't expect perfect prose but I do expect good, workman-like, edited prose at a bare minimum. I'd say all my favorite novels meet at least a basic level of "well-written"; I won't waste my limited reading time on something just for the story when I could read something where both the story and its telling give me pleasure.
Overall, though, I don't expect perfect prose but I do expect good, workman-like, edited prose at a bare minimum. I'd say all my favorite novels meet at least a basic level of "well-written"; I won't waste my limited reading time on something just for the story when I could read something where both the story and its telling give me pleasure.
I'll read poorly written stuff from time to time because it's cluttered over what would normally be a very interesting story, but if I think about it I realize I hardly make it all the way through those works. I guess I read them because I'm interested in how a writer crafts a build and then creates a conclusion. My biggest annoyance is when authors insist on using cliches, and telling as opposed to showing. When those crop up, I notice that I switch into reading the book as a sort of mockery instead of out of genuine curiosity.
As so many others have said, it really depends. Sometimes the poor writing is so distracting that I find myself continuing reading just so I can identify the next horrendous phrase or egregious error.
Others are old friends that I read and re-read because I fell in love with the stories when I wasn't so discerning. They are candy to me, and I turn off the inner editor for a while.
Others I read specifically because they are supposed to be fine specimens of the writing craft. I expect much more from this type of book, and am much more critical of writing style. I also learn a great deal from reading them, because I am reading purposefully, with an eye to craft.
Others are old friends that I read and re-read because I fell in love with the stories when I wasn't so discerning. They are candy to me, and I turn off the inner editor for a while.
Others I read specifically because they are supposed to be fine specimens of the writing craft. I expect much more from this type of book, and am much more critical of writing style. I also learn a great deal from reading them, because I am reading purposefully, with an eye to craft.
Yes, hands down and without a doubt. I do believe that story trumps all, and I've read a few that I made myself finish because the story was good. But I don't have time for that anymore. When I'm reading a novel, it better be well written...just don't want to spend time reading poor writing when I could be reading a great story that is also well written.
I love the Plum novels. Screw greatest writer. If a story holds my interest, and if I like the characters, that book is well-written.
Good writing is about story and character. Fancy writing is for other writers and critics. The moment I see the writing on the page, rather than being immersed in the story and and following the characters just life I would in real life, I know I've found a writer I don't want to read.
I devoured several Sookie Stackhouse novels this summer, though I find the writing - and even sometimes the plotting - seriously lacking. They're like candy, and I read them as a mental break from the concentration required to write my own novel.
That said, I don't consider them "favorites" by a long shot. To be a favorite, a novel has to hit on all cylinders. All the books I end up re-reading over and over have beautiful prose, except the Harry Potter series, where plot wins out.
My favorite book, Angela's Ashes, isn't really a novel but a memoir, though I generally hate memoirs. I freakin' love that book, even though it's depressing as hell. The child's voice he writes in just puts you THERE.
That said, I don't consider them "favorites" by a long shot. To be a favorite, a novel has to hit on all cylinders. All the books I end up re-reading over and over have beautiful prose, except the Harry Potter series, where plot wins out.
My favorite book, Angela's Ashes, isn't really a novel but a memoir, though I generally hate memoirs. I freakin' love that book, even though it's depressing as hell. The child's voice he writes in just puts you THERE.
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All my favourite books have good prose as well as a good story. But for all of them it's the story and the characters that I love rather than the actual prose. I don't mind if it the writing itself isn't amazing if the story/characters are great but if there are lots of noticeable flaws or it draws attention to itself then that would hinder my enjoyment.
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I can't read an ungrammatical book. I'm angry at the writer, the publisher, the editor, the agent, and the industry by Chapter 2. The modern love of sentence fragments for no reason (it's not an action scene, it isn't internal dialog) particularly irks me. I have actually "heaved a book with great force" because of this and a few times posted a review about the ineptness to amazon.
I prefer plot and rising tension and so on, but if someone writes brilliantly I can read unplotted litfic, like Netherland by O'Neill or The Other by David Guterson, which did have a plot but it was oddly structured with the climax coming in the middle. Those are not my favorite novels; my favorites tell a story and don't let beautiful language get in the way of that. In litfic, Cold Mountain is a good example: beautiful prose, a lovely and moving story. In thrillers, Lee Child writes a terrific story and is a good writer. There are a hundred mystery writers who can do both. In fantasy, Patrick Rothfuss is just one example of a solid stylist and good storyteller.
I think I can tell when the author is in love with their own skills and that bugs me almost as much as ungrammatical prose. The language is in service to the story; mostly, it should melt into the page and leave only the story behind. Writing is about the reader's needs to be swept away into a fictional world, not about your own self-love and pride over your abilities. Writing beautifully but self-indulgently is like exposing your dingdong in the park and then demanding I say it was good sex for me too. It just wasn't!
I prefer plot and rising tension and so on, but if someone writes brilliantly I can read unplotted litfic, like Netherland by O'Neill or The Other by David Guterson, which did have a plot but it was oddly structured with the climax coming in the middle. Those are not my favorite novels; my favorites tell a story and don't let beautiful language get in the way of that. In litfic, Cold Mountain is a good example: beautiful prose, a lovely and moving story. In thrillers, Lee Child writes a terrific story and is a good writer. There are a hundred mystery writers who can do both. In fantasy, Patrick Rothfuss is just one example of a solid stylist and good storyteller.
I think I can tell when the author is in love with their own skills and that bugs me almost as much as ungrammatical prose. The language is in service to the story; mostly, it should melt into the page and leave only the story behind. Writing is about the reader's needs to be swept away into a fictional world, not about your own self-love and pride over your abilities. Writing beautifully but self-indulgently is like exposing your dingdong in the park and then demanding I say it was good sex for me too. It just wasn't!
LOL!
LOL! x 2 You can always tell when Quick has stopped by. Great observations and funny stuff-------->dude you'd be great at some dark standup comedy on HBO!
I have to agree - if a story's not well-written, I usually end up putting the book down.
What also bugs me is when I find a spelling or grammatical error. I know that's probably inevitable on occasion, but I work as an editor so this really irks me. Anal, I know - but hey - I gotta be me!
I know that's probably inevitable on occasion, but I work as an editor so this really irks me. Anal, I know - but hey - I gotta be me!
Same here! Another fault of the Sookie Stackhouse novels is they are chock full of typos. Makes the editor in me crazy (okay ... crazier)!
One of my favorite novels doesn't use commas when most would. In fact it would drive this one person I know nuts. It's the style of the book, though. I was in critique group at one time and they would always correct some of my mistakes, which at the time didn't matter, and would always make comments on it. I always wanted to show them this book and say 'see'. LOL
My favourite book Pride and Prejudice has both, in my opinion anyway. I do get really involved with the story though so I probably wouldn't notice anything wrong with it. I like a few series where the writing is quite bad but there is a story there. ^_^
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