Are we sometimes a bit too precious?

Tom from UK · 05-23-2012, 05:56 PM

Perhaps sometimes we get a bit carried away about the writer's craft. I've just read 'The Fields of Death' by Simon Scarrow. (I've reviewed it on Goodreads.) If Scarrow had posted it on SYW, we (and I include myself) would have crucified him. Shifting POV, telling not showing, appalling dialogue - the list just goes on and on. But he's immensely popular and, 700 pages later, I know why. He tells the story of the Napoleonic Wars and he tells it convincingly and in a way that people can understand.

Perhaps sometimes we miss the wood for the trees.

05-23-2012, 05:56 PM	#1
Tom from UK Struggling on Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: London Posts: 497	Are we sometimes a bit too precious? Perhaps sometimes we get a bit carried away about the writer's craft. I've just read 'The Fields of Death' by Simon Scarrow. (I've reviewed it on Goodreads.) If Scarrow had posted it on SYW, we (and I include myself) would have crucified him. Shifting POV, telling not showing, appalling dialogue - the list just goes on and on. But he's immensely popular and, 700 pages later, I know why. He tells the story of the Napoleonic Wars and he tells it convincingly and in a way that people can understand. Perhaps sometimes we miss the wood for the trees. __________________ 'Cawnpore' is out now. It's good. Please buy it. http://thewhiterajah.blogspot.com/

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