Q: What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.
I used to hate present tense, but I've gotten use to it now. I guess there is no one trick that drives me crazy, but I don't like poor craft, especially underdevloped characters. And it's not really a device, but I hate reading a romance novel where the writer relies on sex instead of relationship building.
Oh, I agree with your points. I don't care for cliffhangers, but mostly I hate anything that happens due to coincidence. I like logical steps to a conclusion.
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Julie~ New Adult Addiction
I agree with you on all points!
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Personally, I love present tense. It's like living in the book. And I agree with your "sex as relationship-building" point.
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- Kazhy @ My Library in the Making
I like to read the present tense. I dunno if it's just me though, but sometimes, I feel like there's a little confusion where the author tends to write in multiple tenses! I completely agree with the how some relationships in books are all about sex, it gets really irritating...
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Sarika @ The Readdicts
Yep, romance novels do have that oft repeated trope. I hate it. Half the fun is in the relationship-development which these novels deprive the readers of!
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Addie @ READioactive Book Blog
underdeveloped characters can be very annoying!
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Yeah that one's annoying. Another pet hate: Contrived tension and conflict.
ReplyDeleteNothing worse than a compound sentence without a comma.
ReplyDeleteI really dislike poor craft, too. Sometimes a story can shine through a writer's skill, but not always.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate present tense and first person, but now I really like it. Funny how your opinions change.
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Ooh, tough question! I agree with your answer though :) Underdeveloped characters are the toughest thing for me personally to get over. If that aspect doesn't work out, it's a much harder sell. Great answer, Beth! :)
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I am so with you on the romance novels. If there's just sex, there's no romantic tension, no reason for the sex, and ultimately, no reason for the characters to be together. I hate book where the foundation of a relationship is 'OMG he's so hottttt', and not 'he treats me well', 'he's a good person', 'he's smart', etc. Huge pet peeve.
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