tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post9085513015301662739..comments2024-02-18T00:11:11.490-08:00Comments on Heroines of Fantasy: Dirty Little Secrets Heroines of Fantasyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169664399606524540noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post-67188469003567406282013-04-23T05:43:24.004-07:002013-04-23T05:43:24.004-07:00It's kind of funny as a writer to learn how ma...It's kind of funny as a writer to learn how many people sneak a peak at the end. So much for the surprise ending! <br /><br />I rarely read the ending before finishing the book. But one thing I really like to do -- for the good novels -- is read a second time, so I can see all the little clues, hints, and threads that lead to that ending coming together. Karin Rita Gastreichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post-37016167827979836922013-04-21T07:47:41.101-07:002013-04-21T07:47:41.101-07:00Hello, Barbara! So do you have to read the end whe...Hello, Barbara! So do you have to read the end whether you like the book or not? Before you can settle in? Or is that only if you're so-so on the book?Terri-Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468004163467894720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post-51009497055602487612013-04-20T21:02:36.866-07:002013-04-20T21:02:36.866-07:00I've always skipped ahead to find out what hap...I've always skipped ahead to find out what happens to a character I like or to resolve a cliffhanger. I hate cliffhangers, because they completely distract me from the 'meanwhile, in another part of the forest' scenes that come in between. <br />I still find it difficult to give up entirely on a book, so usually I leapfrog ahead, hoping it will catch my interest again at some point, until I read the ending. <br />batgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15143310557906978680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post-33048038690120911252013-04-09T08:33:31.938-07:002013-04-09T08:33:31.938-07:00(Terri posting this up for Mark, because his compu...(Terri posting this up for Mark, because his computer won't let him.)<br />Kim,<br /><br />I have done the sneak a peek move at times in my reading life. Most of <br />the time I can't restrain myself because I like one or more of the <br />characters. When a writer gets me invested in the story...that's <br />special. It is what we all aspire to.<br /><br />But when the opposite of that happens, I get a little testy. I'm <br />skimming some of the books I scammed from Norwescon, and I feel bad <br />because I met the authors and REALLY wanted to be taken in by their <br />work, but I find myself flipping ahead, scanning chapter headings, <br />filtering out the over done plot stuff, bad names, and looking for the <br />art. When I don't find it, I feel a little empty and betrayed. If I <br />invest my time and money, I want the story-teller to deliver. To me, <br />the dynamic between the artist and audience is one of the most <br />troubling yet fulfilling aspects of what we do. I hardly ever NOT <br />finish a book; even negative lessons can be instructive. All too often <br />lately, in these over wrought tomes, I find myself skipping chunks in <br />search of the REAL story buried under all those paragraphs and pages <br />of well-marketed dross.<br /><br />MarkTerri-Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468004163467894720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post-38444083049312210992013-04-09T07:27:55.130-07:002013-04-09T07:27:55.130-07:00All of the above at one time or another.
I have re...All of the above at one time or another.<br />I have read the ending for the same reasons you have--either to decide if it's worth finishing, or I just can't stand the suspense--the former more often than the latter. In fact, if I'm not enjoying a book, I will ALWAYS skip to the end. I try to restrain myself if I love it.<br /><br />Dogeared corners? Yup! When I was a kid. I've since learned the error of my ways.<br />Skim? All. The. Time. Especially if it's a book club book I'm not enjoying but have to read anyway.<br />Toss a book in frustration? Yes I have. The only time I will force myself to read anyway is if it's a book club book. I don't see the point of discussing a book I've not read.<br /><br />And--one last secret--if I really love a book, I'll get a study guide to go with it (if available) because I am just that dorky.Terri-Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468004163467894720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764159777348916628.post-21119250018850489112013-04-09T05:41:43.696-07:002013-04-09T05:41:43.696-07:00Hi Kim! Great post, once again. :)
Don't kno...Hi Kim! Great post, once again. :)<br /><br />Don't know if this counts as a dirty little secret, but it is true that I don't bother finishing a book if it doesn't capture my imagination in the first 3 chapters. <br /><br />That's why I never give out a one- or two-star review. I only read the books I truly enjoy. Karin Rita Gastreichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.com