Happy New Year everyone! Hope the holidays treated you well and that January has been kind as well.
With it being the middle of winter, it might be hard to think cozy front porch thoughts, but here in the south, it’s not uncommon for people who own wonderful old houses to enclose their front porches and install heaters. There’s nothing much cozier to me than sitting on one of those enclosed porches with the heater on (which is generally only enough to take the chill from the air) while I’m wrapped in a blanket and reading a book.
Since the beginning of the year, I’ve removed the word games from my Kindle and started working my way through the books. Unfortunately, there’s been quite a few where I couldn’t get past the first couple of pages. If I don’t like the characters, the pacing is slow, the writing is poor, or the story just doesn’t capture my imagination, then the story has been removed from my Kindle.
While I’ve resolved to give myself more me time in 2013 that doesn’t mean I’m willing to suffer through a book. I used to do that, but decided life’s just too short to spend time on a story that doesn’t do it for me.
So, I guess my random thought of the day is more a question: why do people spend time doing things they don’t enjoy?
I hear you, Emma. I’ve ditched quite a few books which started out really great but 10-20 pp in became really offensive–didn’t need a ringside seat in their bedroom or wherever! LOL Discouraging. Am sure some of my books have been deleted for the opposite reason: NO ringside seats available! Sigh. But your point of not spending time doing what we don’t enjoy is applicable to everybody! Happy writing in the new year!
Hi, Judy! I hope all is well with you, and happy writing in 2013.
Oh, the books I’ve DNF just since 2013 turned is staggering, both from authors with publishing houses and self-pubbed ones. I’m wondering if that’s a trend in books this year–not enough substance and spark. It’s like folks don’t even care for a good story anymore. Sigh. Moving on.
I was sad that one I’d managed to finish 25% of suddenly tanked. A whole chapter of stilted dialogue, unbelievable characters, and total lack of emotion. Sigh. (However, I started on this weekend and have made it over half through, so I have renewed hope.
)
Fun to know I’m not the only one. I’m also going through my Kindle and ditching the books I don’t like rather than suffer through them. I’m also much more discriminating in the books I download.