Competition
One of the questions I seem to get a lot when I'm doing school visits is "who is your biggest competition?"
I think people are usually surprised by my answer: "bad books."
You see, I was a reluctant reader as a kid (a fact that I've heard a lot of other authors echo lately), and I spent a long time thinking I didn't like to read simply because the first books I tried to read were bad books.
So I never think of authors like Stephenie Meyer, E. Lockhart, Rick Riordan, Sarah Dessen, Meg Cabot, etc., as my competition because if readers love their books then those readers are going to go through life looking for MORE books and eventually they might read some of mine.
If readers--particularly reluctant readers--pick up a few BAD books then they're going to start thinking that they don't like to read--period. And that's not doing me any favors whatsoever.
-Ally
PS...I'm still a reluctant reader, by the way. I finish maybe a third of the books that I start--we're talking big, national best-selling books and award-winning books and books that everyone and their dogs just loves and I'm like "oh, yeah, I'm 30 pages from the end of that but I sat it down one night and never had the desire to pick it up again."
(By the way, I never actually SAY that, I just think it!)
I don't know what kind of example that's going to set the readers of the world, but I think it's a pretty good lesson for the writers of the world: never, ever, ever give a reader an excuse to walk away from your book--or readers like me will take it.
I think people are usually surprised by my answer: "bad books."
You see, I was a reluctant reader as a kid (a fact that I've heard a lot of other authors echo lately), and I spent a long time thinking I didn't like to read simply because the first books I tried to read were bad books.
So I never think of authors like Stephenie Meyer, E. Lockhart, Rick Riordan, Sarah Dessen, Meg Cabot, etc., as my competition because if readers love their books then those readers are going to go through life looking for MORE books and eventually they might read some of mine.
If readers--particularly reluctant readers--pick up a few BAD books then they're going to start thinking that they don't like to read--period. And that's not doing me any favors whatsoever.
-Ally
PS...I'm still a reluctant reader, by the way. I finish maybe a third of the books that I start--we're talking big, national best-selling books and award-winning books and books that everyone and their dogs just loves and I'm like "oh, yeah, I'm 30 pages from the end of that but I sat it down one night and never had the desire to pick it up again."
(By the way, I never actually SAY that, I just think it!)
I don't know what kind of example that's going to set the readers of the world, but I think it's a pretty good lesson for the writers of the world: never, ever, ever give a reader an excuse to walk away from your book--or readers like me will take it.
Labels: Really great reads, Tips for Writers
posted by Ally Carter at Wednesday, May 07, 2008
8 Comments:
Wow. Your reverse psychology might just ACTUALLY make sense! But I'm a huge reader, which is why I don't think I'll be able to be a great writer since I'm always so stuck on reading awesome books. Reading books for me, is like watching a movie. I can't just watch 10 minutes of the movie and then watch 30 minutes of it the next day and wait another month until I read some more and then never finish it! (unless it's boring). But I almost always pick good books that suit me - like yours!
I think that some of the inspiration in some great writers, is that they were never huge readers, and that they usually got bored with a book. And then they want to write an interesting awesome book for other people to like.
So... I don't know. Those were just my thoughts! But good answer, Ally!
everyone and their dogs, lol.
One of my favorites, if your looking for a good book, instead of a boring bad one, is Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. =D
Wow, Ally. That made sense! You are totally right, its like waking up on the wrong side of the bed, except with novels.
And about the reluctant readers as authors would be that they found the books to be cliche, and wanted new ideas. Like a spy school for girls, or maybe a really romantic vampire story, but thats just my opinion.
So keep writing Ally! Write on!
WOOOO! THIS MAKES SENCE! My parents always nag me that I should read MORE. But THIS is the exact reason, I need to show my parents this
People say I read too MUCH. Just because I can read the Twilight books each twice in one week, while swimming competetivly, staying on honor role, and learning oboe and clarinet, doesn't mean I don't have time for it. Anyway, I even read books that aren't good. I think that if the book wasn't good than why on earth would someone have published it. Also, if someone tells me not to read a book, I go out that day to get it. Really, everyone and their dogs, is so FUNNY. I'd really like to write a book, but frankly I'm too busy reading them. Along with all my other things I hardly have time to keep a journal. Whatever.
I like your answer. Although I've never heard of that before, it makes a whole lot of sense. I like the way you think! :)
i also like the Percy series. the 4th book came out 2 days ago and its good. also ur advice makes sense.
oh my gosh the waffle thing was like MY FAVORITE PART of lyky
Post a Comment
<< Home