January - Insecure Writers Support Group + Surprise Announcement!

January 6 question:

Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

This is a tricky one. I fail to finish books all of the time, and it is not necessarily the book's fault. I easily have a dozen books I have partially read in the past few years alone. Perhaps if I analyze a few that I have not finished, it will help.

The first group of unfinished books:  God Emperor of Dune, The Sword of the Lady, Soul Music, and The Wishsong of Shannara are all fourth or later in a series. If I do not have time to read them quickly in succession, then they will likely not be finished because I become frustrated with not remembering the multiple side plots or character names. If I feel like I cannot remember something that I am supposed to, I give up. Chances are, I do not have time to start over.

There is another group of unfinished books outside the Speculative Fiction category and these tend to get put aside because the goal of the main character is either unclear or unimportant. I think the reason I prefer SF is because the goals somehow seem more relevant. Or perhaps it is because the obstacles that prevent the goal from being attained are more believable. (Basically there is a tangible cause for the conflict like magical intervention or alien mind control. If it is something that could happen to me, it is probably not that interesting!)

Another thing that annoys me while reading is proper noun overload. A cast that is too big, or with names that are too similar is a big turn off. Too many settings can also trick me if I have to remember them by name. This one turns me off of a lot of long fantasy series. I never can remember which castles and towns and historic weapons are being referred to. I will struggle through this as best I can (for at least the first three books).

Lastly, I have a few unfinished items because they are simply too long, and I know I will not be able to keep up over the extended time it will take to complete the work. I also become frustrated if I have seen a film series first and the book deviates too far.  If I look forward to something specific that does not occur, I will put it aside. The Magicians fits in both of these categories: too much to read, and too many deviations. (Why is Margot named Janet? Why? Julia already has a five-letter "J" name, there should not be two main characters that close! And Margot was my favorite character in the series but is not as prominent or spicy in the books.) I will definitely pick this one up again at some point. The Expanse books are on hold for me, too, but only because of time. So far the deviations are acceptable and even enjoyable.

Proper character motivation, limited and unique character names, acceptable length, plenty of unbelievable obstacles that have believable impacts and I will likely finish the book. Now if I could just finish my own book!!!!!

Almost to the surprise...

If you are interested in reading what others have to say about this question, please follow the link behind the badge below. You will find many, many blogs here, and can hop to any you please for interesting perspectives.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner, Sandra Cox, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

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You made it to the surprise!! 

Check out the new anthology coming out! Take a look at those awesome authors!!!

Dark Matter: Artificial

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

 

Discover dark matter’s secrets…

 

What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?

 

Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Goldim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.

 

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

 

 

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

 

Release date: May 4, 2021

Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95

EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99

Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)

186 pages

 

 

Artificial - Stephanie Espinoza Villamor https://stephanieespinoza.com/
Space Folds and Broomsticks - C.D. Gallant-King  http://www.cdgallantking.ca/
Rift – Kim Mannix  https://makesmesodigress.com/
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans  https://www.teasighcreate.com/
Sentient – Tara Tyler  https://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/
One to Another – Deniz Bevan http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/
Resident Alien - Charles Kowalski  https://charleskowalski.com/
Nano Pursuit – Olga Goldim  https://olgagodim.wordpress.com
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller  http://www.elizabethmueller.com/
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert  http://www.markalpert.com/

I'm so nervous...