FOR READERS
Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene:
What makes you DNF (did not finish) a book?
Please, do not name titles or author names.
Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks!
This is a legacy chat.
I have a rule for myself, especially because I review for a blog, but I never DNF a book. I ride it out and really try to weigh pros and cons. Even horrible editing doesn’t chase me away. I will bring it to an authors attention and I will even give them a chance if they write a second book but if I see no improvement I won’t read another book.
poor writing/editing (I don’t mind the odd fault but if it’s through all of the story….just no)
endless repetition of a point/situation (ok…I get it by now..stop telling me over and over and….)
subject matter that I just don’t get and isn’t explained well enough to make me understand (this could be just a cultural thing but if I have no idea what you’re trying to tell me it detracts from the story)
a story that has been adapted from MF….but they’ve forgotten to take out some pronouns…or body parts that don’t exist for men
Poor writing is usually the cause. Excessively passive voice or a story that just isn’t going anywhere by the time you’re a third or more the way in.