Great writing and great storytelling makes a great book. Of course, all of this is subjective but when the majority of readers agree on this, an author is really really happy. But many books don’t get this dual stamp of approval from the masses. So when a book doesn’t fall into this category for you, what do you consider most important.
How would you rate such a book?
- The story is great, the writing is bad (see my definition of bad writing below).
- The writing is beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes, the story, however, isn’t exactly engaging (unbelievable characterization, plot holes, boring etc).
- The writing is solid. It does an adequate job in telling the story and you can’t fault the author for bad grammar. The story is mediocre, you can take it or leave it.
**Bad writing = bad grammar — the book is peppered or filled with misspellings, poor constructed sentences, missing words, stilted, unnatural dialogue and/or writing.
Would you rather a badly written great story, a beautifully written bad story or something in the middle?
If something is wonderfully written, but the story is bad, great writing can’t save a book. I’ve also read wonderful stories that had so many examples of poor grammar or incorrect word choices that it took me out of the story. A reader expects a certain level of quality when spending money on a product, so poor editing can reflect negatively on an author. Therefore, I would opt for something in the middle: an nicely (not necessarily wonderful) written book with some poor grammar; I don’t mean mediocre.
Out of the choice I would pick something in the middle. However, if the bad writing has an amazing story that I can ignore the bad grammar I can possibly over look it. Chances are I can overlook it, because I’m not the best at grammar and spelling. On the other hand if I notice that it has bad grammar then that’s bad. No matter how perfect the writing is, if the storyline is boring I might want to do something drastic.
Honestly, my first thought is to say somewhere down the middle. I don’t want to waste my time reading a story that I think is horrible. I’ve read many of those throughout the years and even if the writing is good, the book gets a low rating in my opinion. Yet, I have read books that the grammar was bad, etc and the overall premise of the story was good. I was moved by the story. For the most part, I can overlook the grammatical errors but if it is consistent, it can pull me right out of the story. So bottom line when the book is not “perfect” I would have to say I need a great storyline more than anything to keep me going.
I would say in the middle. I can overlook bad grammar if the story is good. But if the grammer is making my headache then I’m done with the story. But isn’t an editor there to help with the bad grammar. I know some books might have mistakes but a lot of them is wrong.
You know for me it has to be the whole package. I can overlook some grammar and typos but if the story is lacking even if beautifully written I won’t come back. I have a huge list of authors I follow and I don’t need to add any more. If they are an awesome writer but the story doesn’t engage why waste my time reading it? Grammar doesn’t bother me much as I usually don’t recognize it (as evidenced in this posting, lol) BUT typos and mispelled words catch my proofreading eye and take me out of the story. I immediately want to correct it and email the author/editor/publisher to correct the manuscript.
That’s a horrible situation lol. I guess I have to go with something in the middle. I’ve always said that if I care for the characters I will put up with the mediocre plot.
The one “error” that will turn me off not only of reading a book but if it happens again in the same author’s next book is when the story is “filled with misspellings, poor constructed sentences, and missing words”,
I could actually understand mistakes like that “back in the day” (1950’s and 1960’s and even the 1970’s) before new technology was invented but even then they had proof-readers so to me it never should have happened.
I believe that in the long run that even if the mistakes are made my the publishing house the author is still responsible for making sure that their work is presented to the public correctly.
For the three categories you describe, I would prefer to read them in this order—3, 2, 1. Here’s why:
I’ve read lots of 3s. Not every story is a hit with every reader. But if the author is giving a solid effort, sure I’ll stick with her. We all have bumps in our job performance, too.
Category 2 sounds like an author with potential. I will give her the benefit of the doubt. I am reading fiction and there is a certain amount of “willful suspension of disbelief” involved in all of it. Let’s hope she gets good editorial and reader advice on future efforts.
A book like number 1 will drive me up a wall. I don’t DNF many books, but this is one I will probably leave unfinished. Writing is the author’s job. It should be done correctly, however that happens–through editing, etc. Why does a book like this get published? It can’t be good for the author’s reputation.
I’ve just experienced #2 — I really wanted to love that book because the writing was so beautiful but the story-telling took a back seat to all the flowery prose. I will read that author again — maybe after another book or two written, she will find her groove and balance out all the elements.
I’d probably stop reading #1 after the first 50 pages — I wouldn’t mind so much the misspellings but I’d probably be put off by the unnatural dialogue and syntax.
#3 would probably be a 3- to 3.5-star book. I’d finish it but I would think twice before getting the author’s next book. (Would definitely not pre-order it but wait for the release and early reviews.)
Another great discussion post! ^_^
Good question. For me, #1 is a DNF. If the author can’t be bothered to edit their book (or get it edited if they know they aren’t good at grammar), why would I want to read it? Grammar and spelling errors drive me up the wall. These days, I tolerate a certain number of spelling errors because it seems like every book has a few, but poor grammar is a no go. This is one of the primary reasons I usually always download a sample before I buy, unless the book is free.
As for #2 and 3, those would be rated a “C” by me. However, with #2, I’d probably not try the author again, whereas with #3, I would try them again if their next book had a plot that sounded good. Great writing in and of itself just isn’t enough for me. I definitely read for plot and characters, more than the beauty of the writing.
I don’t like bad grammar/spelling, but I’d rather wade through that for a great story than read a mediocre story that’s beautifully written. No matter how you dress it up, if it isn’t interesting and engaging with a good plot and great characters, I’m not going to enjoy it.
Honestly, if the book was any of the three, I would probably NOT finish it and most likely never purchase another book by that author – there are too many good writers out there, why waste my time reading something that is below my standards. I personally think that I am somewhat ‘forgiving’ when it comes to a few grammatical/spelling error and I can excuse a bit of unrealistic characters/plot but I cannot force myself to continue reading if a book is plagued with one/other/both – doesn’t matter if the story is the greatest story idea ever – if I am going to purchase something and hand over my hard-earned money I expect the author to have at least invested a bit of money on a proof-reader/editor (yes, even self-published). The other thing that will drive me batty is constantly repeating what happened thoughout the book as if the reader may have forgotten – because IF I have forgotten, it means I am struggling to get through the book in the first place.
Maybe a badly written great story
I’d probably choose something in the middle. Bad grammar and spelling can take me out of the plot.
Some of my favorite authors have had their “duller” books (not the greatest storyline). But I liked the main characters and the author put alot of love into the characters so I enjoyed the books.
Great writing hides the plot holes. 🙂
For me it has to be a believable storyline, not over the top with no TSTL heroines. Pages and pages of sex scene just don’t cut it for me anymore — after awhile I feel like it’s just a filler. Don’t get me wrong I like a well written sex scenes just don’t go over the top. Also keeping characters ages and physical descriptions true throughout the book.
I’ve just read a book with a great story but the grammar was terrible. But the story was so good I finished it. I couldn’t possibly continue to read a book that had great grammar but a bad story. So somewhere in the middle I guess. I need a strong storyline that enables me to connect with the characters because then I’m in.
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
A tough choice. Story is very important to me — I hate beautifully written books that aren’t about anything — but so is readable prose. I know when I first started On the Island, I thought I would DNF it, because the prose didn’t appeal to me… and then I finished it and wound up giving it 5 stars, because it was so thoroughly compelling.
There’s probably some kind of graph, where story is more important up to the point where badness of writing becomes impossible to ignore. And everyone would have their own personal graph.
I hate a book filled with poor grammar and spelling. Even a few errors in a good book from a favored writer make me want to write the writer and publisher to ask what’s going on. I guess something in the middle would be preferable for me.
I would have to say somewhere in the middle. Both are turn offs, however, and I would more than likely put the book down if I wasn’t enjoying it either way it went.
#1 It would depend on the types of errors. If the errors are such that I don’t have to stop reading to figure out what was meant it would get a 3. If the writing is bad enough that I have to reread or stop and think about the writing to figure what was meant it would get a 1 or 2. If the writing is so bad that I am pulled out of the story constantly, I would not finish the book and not bother rating it.
#2 If a story is boring, I am not sure I would get through it. That being said, I did read a book that had long sections that were boring because the beginning was so promising and I kept hoping it live up to its potential. In hindsight, I should have dropped it. Unbelievable characterization and plot holes are extremely annoying to me.
#3 I would give this a 3.
I am more forgiving about spelling errors especially with automatic spell checkers. I have had emails where I have read and reread them to make sure it was correct and my brain would skip over spelling errors because another correctly spelled word had been inserted. It happens to me and I would expect it to happen in a 20,000 word novel. I am not as tolerant of poorly constructed sentences, stilted and unnatural writing. Those types of errors make it difficult to read a book without having to stop to discern what was being said. I know spelling errors can sometimes do the same thing but I find that most times they don’t interrupt the flow.
My preference would be something in the middle.
Something in the middle for me. If there is a lot of gramatical errors, or terms used out of eara it really gets to me. On the other hand if it is perfectly written but the story doesn’t grab me then it is hard to continue. Like with a guy, you need that spark or you just know it wont work.
That would be hard to rate.
1. First of all, bad writing really ruins a books for me. It makes me want to get out my red pen and make corrections. Those mistakes break the flow story and pull me out of it.
2. Great writing but poor story. I can appreciate the good writing, but will be aggravated by the story. I could enjoy this book more, but if things are too outlandish, there are too many plot holes, or characters I can’t believe, forget it.
3. Option 3 is one of those books I would probably enjoy, but forget as soon as I finished it. It would fall into the category of junk food reading, something I could pick up and read without worrying about having to work too hard to follow and figure out. These books have a place in most libraries.
In all honesty, I would pick the third type of book over the others. The others would be too much of a disappointment over the lost potential.
I will always pick the great story even if the writing is bad but I really want good writing too.