Dear Author,
They say that those who never open a book only lead one life, while those who read have the ability to lead thousands: it's true. I've been fortunate enough to slay dragons, run marathons, and fly to far-away "Neverlands" through black ink written on half pages. A story is a magical kind of invention—a portal that can transport you into a different place, a different time, even a different body.
Many would believe it if I said that I was born with a book in my hand. Between reading everything from Tolkien to Twilight (shudder), being half-way through an English major, and nearly living in various libraries, I have read countless novels in my lifetime. And, wow, have I loved it... most of the time.
There comes a moment in every avid reader's life when they discover a pattern of unfortunate blunders between their cherished pages. There comes a day when you want to throw your Kindle at the wall and never pick it up again. For me, today is that day. Books have made me laugh, they have made me cry, and they have also made me very, very angry. So, to those authors who have made me crazy with scrambled plots, love octagons, clichés, and lackluster twist endings, this is for you.
Suggestion 1: Kindly pull yourself together.
In this world of digital publishing, authors have a new freedom to publish whatever they please online. Whatever. They. Please. While this is an exciting opportunity for the struggling writer who couldn't get a publishing house to take their book, it also opens the door for sloppiness. I have encountered an unacceptable amount of grammatical errors, plot holes, and simply terrible writing through my adventures in the digital book world. Great stories are often completely damned through little mistakes that would be easily fixed with an editor.
If you don't believe me, feel free to explore the reviews for some 99 cent, downloadable books. They're harsh, and rightly so. As the reader, I implore any author to go over their writing with a fine-toothed comb. Not only does it make me feel better about spending my money, it gives credibility to your book. If you're going to do something, do it right, do it well, and edit.
Suggestion 2: Get some new material.
Easier said than done, I understand. However, I am so sick of plot formulas and love triangles that I am begging someone to break the mold here. We've seen a million supernatural romance novels, a billion books set in an apocalyptic landscape, and an infinite number of weak-minded heroines who need a dashing young man (or two) to swoop in and save the day. Unfortunately, this seems to be the combination that sells. Writing is a job, and generating more of the same will pay the bills... or will it?
Some of the most successful authors, creators of some of the highest grossing books of all time, have gotten to this place by taking risks. Thinking outside of the box. Changing the literary landscape. Look to C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Dan Brown, and J.R.R. Tolkien for inspiration here. Huge authors, who started with little ideas. A wardrobe that leads to another land, a school for wizards, a haunted hotel, an ancient conspiracy, and something called a hobbit... Anything original is golden, and something to be proud of. Bring more to the table than a carbon copy.
Suggestion 3: Avoid the "Special Snowflake" phenomenon.
Your main character is (hopefully) great. This, I already know. I've invested hours of my time into your book, and waited with bated breath to find out what happens to this beloved figure. I ask myself, will they live or die? Will they ever meet again? How will they jump this hurdle? I'm interested, I care, and I want to know more.
Something I've noticed recently, however, is the desire to make the characters even greater. There's this terrible notion of trying to make a character the greatest, best, most interesting and special person in the entire novel, ever. Believe me when I tell you, this does not need to happen. As a reader, I root for the characters I identify with. I like a character with flaws and fears. I want someone who knows their lot in life, and who strives throughout the novel to improve themselves and their position.
I find it hard to appreciate a character who goes from being a lowly peasant to becoming the queen of the entire nation, who also has superpowers, who is also the most beautiful girl in all of the land. Good for her. I stopped liking her 20 pages ago. Authors, love your characters where they are. I already do.
Suggestion 4: Just keep writing.
In spite of all of your flaws, authors, please keep writing. Just try a little harder. Do a little bit more, for me and for your work. You give me another place to go when I'm waiting for my flight, avoiding my homework, or escaping my own thoughts. Even though some of the things you do make me want to cut up my library card, I can't imagine life without you at your computer.
Love,
The Reader
