I know what you mean, Patricia, about an author for whom you have real expectations. It really is a double disappointment to feel let down, isn't it? And I think we all have our non-negotiables; I don't blame you one bit for yours.
Patricia Snow - 8 years ago
If a writer isn't boring, then I will always give him/her another chance, despite feeling disappointed. And the thing is, the greater the expectation (like from a writer who is generally terrific) the greater the disappointment. But, though I may carp about, say, one of Patricia Cornwell's characters not being consistent/undergoing unaccounted for sea changes over time, I will ALWAYS pick up her next novel ASAP. The only non-negotiable is when there is abuse of an animal or child, by a character I have come to trust. Once was reading this lovely scene about a man playing with his dog when he just shoots the dog. Whatever his motivation, I was out of there. That scene has stayed with me in a very negative way--I watch out for similar ugly surprises.
If the author uses some rather lame device such as the one mentioned in the Penny novel, that is no huge sin in my book. Like a typo, readers can preen themselves on finding the flaw.
I know what you mean, Patricia, about an author for whom you have real expectations. It really is a double disappointment to feel let down, isn't it? And I think we all have our non-negotiables; I don't blame you one bit for yours.
If a writer isn't boring, then I will always give him/her another chance, despite feeling disappointed. And the thing is, the greater the expectation (like from a writer who is generally terrific) the greater the disappointment. But, though I may carp about, say, one of Patricia Cornwell's characters not being consistent/undergoing unaccounted for sea changes over time, I will ALWAYS pick up her next novel ASAP. The only non-negotiable is when there is abuse of an animal or child, by a character I have come to trust. Once was reading this lovely scene about a man playing with his dog when he just shoots the dog. Whatever his motivation, I was out of there. That scene has stayed with me in a very negative way--I watch out for similar ugly surprises.
If the author uses some rather lame device such as the one mentioned in the Penny novel, that is no huge sin in my book. Like a typo, readers can preen themselves on finding the flaw.