Sep 26 2009
Please see the comments below. Thanks!
Sep 26 2009
One of the most common mental mistakes that plagues writers is the logical fallacy that if they do or prefer something, their target audience does too. Not necessarily! Here are a few ways in which readers tend to differ from authors.
1. Readers are usually less patient than writers. As a result, they tend to get aggravated when the author doesn’t give them enough information. (Rule of thumb: the readers are entitled to anything relevant that the POV knows). Many writers like being cryptic because they think that hiding the POV’s information from the reader will create intrigue. Most readers do not like reading cryptic works.
2. Readers start at page 1 and typically will put down the book as soon as they are dissatisfied. Ahem–they aren’t patient. This means that the quality of the opening few pages is absolutely critical to readers. In contrast, writers often phone in the beginning because they want to get to the “meat” of the story or whatever. THAT IS A MISTAKE. Most readers will not plod along in the hopes that the story will get interesting or clear. They will put down the book unless it is interesting and clear from page one.
Sep 26 2009
Here’s an amusing excerpt from a Washington Post article…
“We are at a point where no one could have even imagined 15 years ago,” said Albert J. Lurigio, a professor of psychology and criminal justice at Loyola University who has written about electronic monitoring and privacy since a New Mexico judge, inspired by Spider-Man comics, became the first to sentence a defendant to home confinement with an electronic monitor.
Does this mean we’re on the verge of surgically implanting explosive nanites in dangerous parolees? In your face, recidivism!
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