tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post1499265303419401278..comments2023-10-30T03:57:36.471-07:00Comments on Creepy Query Girl: Does Premise Matter More Than the Execution?Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-19262602201542044002011-09-08T15:22:53.180-07:002011-09-08T15:22:53.180-07:00COMPLETELY agree. it's also hard for me to pu...COMPLETELY agree. it's also hard for me to put down books even if they're horrible (it only happens if I just can't stand the audiobook narrator after 2 hours of traffic...) and often I do find the premise so high concept that the book is a NY Times Bestseller regardless of quality, etc.Sophia Changhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10946233873722107937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-74674675714540056502011-08-31T12:39:10.445-07:002011-08-31T12:39:10.445-07:00I think the concept is more important than the exe...I think the concept is more important than the execution. And I have a specific reason.<br /><br />Some people LOVE old houses. They like to buy them and renovate them, gently coaxing life into those good bones. It says something about them, the renovator, that they discovered and polished up the unloved gem.<br /><br />That, I think, is how I would feel about acquiring manuscripts. I'd love to spot that great idea, that wondrous talent, that needs just a wee bit of guidance. You can edit and revise the writing to be better, but you can't post-inject GOOD BONES.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-36136903198289103882011-08-30T10:06:58.773-07:002011-08-30T10:06:58.773-07:00Yes. A whole series once because a friend loved it...Yes. A whole series once because a friend loved it. But, even though it was a smash hit and took the world by storm, it lagged, was badly written, and drove me nuts.<br />Waste of my brain space.<br />I have a really hard time NOT finishing a book once I start it, but I have no problem skimming like crazy. There have been many times when I screamed at the heavens because this book somehow got published and marketed and mine have not. How? It makes me wonder just how much I must suck. Sigh. Enough ranting. :)Erin Kane Spockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376851676240606472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-12264234448551926122011-08-30T09:07:01.152-07:002011-08-30T09:07:01.152-07:00Er... yes. But I think you're right. Premise c...Er... yes. But I think you're right. Premise counts for SO much when it comes to selling books. Execution, not so much.Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-90439500675182181182011-08-30T07:29:45.647-07:002011-08-30T07:29:45.647-07:00Yes, I've read books like that, and I totally ...Yes, I've read books like that, and I totally agree with you. Premise seems to conquer execution in many instances. While I think you may be able to "sell" a book without great execution, I find it almost impossible if you don't have a good premise. And "good" is relative... :DBklosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15445205221951596010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-78712700957973006202011-08-29T20:42:52.532-07:002011-08-29T20:42:52.532-07:00I almost put Paradise aside. I wrote about it here...I almost put Paradise aside. I wrote about it here http://stephblizzack.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-im-reading.html<br />After that I made myself finish, but it wasn't really worth it. I kept going because of the overwhelming reviews! To each their own.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01819006501794799609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-18277002884192408162011-08-29T20:41:19.280-07:002011-08-29T20:41:19.280-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01819006501794799609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-43381677099051760932011-08-29T18:05:22.004-07:002011-08-29T18:05:22.004-07:00I used to consider it a cardinal sin to give up on...I used to consider it a cardinal sin to give up on a book mid-way through. Even if I felt like it was boring holes in my brain, I'd slog through the thing page by agonizing page until it was finished.<br /><br />And then I realized something. Even if I did nothing but read for the rest of my life, I could never get through all the books I wanted to--because more are being written all the time. So I decided then that life is too short to spend on books I dislike.<br /><br />As for concept over content, I am constantly amazed at how subjective this business really is. I adore some books with almost no plot at all--but brimming with gorgeous prose and perfect execution--that some people I respect quite despise. And the opposite is also true. Like you, I've skimmed poorly written books just to find out what happens in the (rather fascinating) plot. I think this should teach us one thing for sure: Never give up. Never surrender. Because there is someone for every book.Hanna C. Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03881224275689807056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-27664159333547693872011-08-29T17:37:27.484-07:002011-08-29T17:37:27.484-07:00Now you have me dying to know what series this is!...Now you have me dying to know what series this is!<br /><br />And yes, sometimes, just the premise can push a book further than perhaps the writing deserves.Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-74490429547242732011-08-29T16:22:59.652-07:002011-08-29T16:22:59.652-07:00For me sometimes it's my mood. I can't hel...For me sometimes it's my mood. I can't help myself... sometimes 50 pages is all I can push then I have to take a break. It might be one that two months later I can't put down, but in that moment it's rough!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-78836360294129111082011-08-29T12:00:55.604-07:002011-08-29T12:00:55.604-07:00I've definitely read books that I had to put a...I've definitely read books that I had to put aside and I hate that. It takes a lot for me to do it. Execution is everything to me as a reader. I could care less if the premise is outstanding if the execution is lacking.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-74165594121554342362011-08-29T11:22:42.980-07:002011-08-29T11:22:42.980-07:00I have to be careful not to mention any names or t...I have to be careful not to mention any names or titles, but as an author who got their deal after so many years, I'm truly amazed at some of the novels I've read recently. I've read three in the last three months, and put down two of them before reaching half-way. Both were recent releases and both were very hyped. I too can only put it down to market forces as opposed to true writing ability...Dean Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05592445123854138758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-27639958222269430242011-08-29T11:18:52.661-07:002011-08-29T11:18:52.661-07:00Most books I read are meant to be published. But a...Most books I read are meant to be published. But a few make me wonder. How in the world??!!!<br />But no matter how bad a book is, I HAVE to finish it.Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-80260044318320470402011-08-29T10:34:08.185-07:002011-08-29T10:34:08.185-07:00I hate when I read a book and wonder how on earth ...I hate when I read a book and wonder how on earth it got published. You're right--the premise is usually wonderful, but the execution falls flat. Oh, well. Thank goodness for all the good books out there!Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00462382909938737612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-23372454814329800352011-08-29T10:30:41.682-07:002011-08-29T10:30:41.682-07:00I agree its the premise that will keep me going ev...I agree its the premise that will keep me going even if the writing is......eh.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16232979489927013323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-82956136970486085952011-08-29T10:10:55.446-07:002011-08-29T10:10:55.446-07:00Last year, I made a vow to myself that I would giv...Last year, I made a vow to myself that I would give every book I picked up the benefit of the doubt until the bitter end. I've since learned that no matter the hype, it's all subjective and I may not like it...that doesn't mean I have to push through. There are WAY too many books out there I could be missing.Dawn Iushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546425873531022196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-78058457842706340132011-08-29T09:36:10.531-07:002011-08-29T09:36:10.531-07:00Unfortunately, this happens to me all the time wit...Unfortunately, this happens to me all the time with YA books in particular. <br /><br />I WANT to love the YA books I see on the bookshelf but, a lot of the time, I see the same old stuff and I'm bored before I even skim the first page. <br /><br />(I see a few books that I think are really awesome too, just to be clear). <br /><br />In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with the same old stuff. Not everyone shares my taste in material. Lots of people enjoy a certain comfort zone and there's nothing wrong with that. It's when there's NOTHING BUT the same old stuff that I become dismayed. <br /><br />I kinda digressed for a second. Sorry. ;)Cynthia Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595677706434920552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-29753426143051051712011-08-29T08:44:38.724-07:002011-08-29T08:44:38.724-07:00YES, I have. I know exactly how you feel. Too of...YES, I have. I know exactly how you feel. Too often, premise trumps everything else. I can think of 5 books off the top of my head with plenty of hype that didn't live up to the premise. <br /><br />Email me and we can share if you want. See if they're the same books: tmilstein at gmail dot comTheresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-38816204079657138372011-08-29T08:29:19.964-07:002011-08-29T08:29:19.964-07:00I have read many sluggish books (often NYT bestsel...I have read many sluggish books (often NYT bestsellers) with kick-ass premises and wondered how they got this far. And just like you, I've put down a book and picked up again when the second part of the series came out only to find I STILL fell asleep while reading it. Subjectivity? Idk.NiaRaiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13245742876021926812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-86618165348274107582011-08-29T08:08:56.521-07:002011-08-29T08:08:56.521-07:00I think premise definitely sells. It is why they g...I think premise definitely sells. It is why they go so bonkers for 'high concept' books. it is why garbage like Twilight was released 5 drafts before it could possibly have been cleaned. they were in a rush because of the PREMISE. I think as an unknown author, too, this is our only route in... once our name is known, I think we get a little more slack, but our first few books need to have a premise people can't resist. That, though, is easier said than done. I know I didn't get it until I actually had an idea and wrote the book--something so easily described and unique that I finally realized my other ideas hadn't beent there yet...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-73766562204779294252011-08-29T07:54:16.050-07:002011-08-29T07:54:16.050-07:00Oh yes. I did. I can't say anything more than ...Oh yes. I did. I can't say anything more than that, or I'll get myself into trouble. ;)Carolyn Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03780443388339294502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-40480533071750552592011-08-29T07:46:34.693-07:002011-08-29T07:46:34.693-07:00As a ghostwriter, I find this all the time. I know...As a ghostwriter, I find this all the time. I know I'm writing perfectly well, but there's only so much the actual writing can do. <br /><br />Even structurally, I'm a big fan of strong premises. I think they give writers so much in terms of a coherent, special feeling book.stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388674850920848503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-56783413264696735882011-08-29T07:46:17.468-07:002011-08-29T07:46:17.468-07:00I've never finished a book thats made me feel ...I've never finished a book thats made me feel that way. A couple of years ago there was one - it went on to become a movie - and I see wouldn't rate it. Sometimes theres no rhyme or reason for books being successful when they truly suck (IMHO) - I probably shouldn't say that but there you go. I'm feeling honest today. ;-) <br /><br />Ps. As I'm confessing here - I also skimmed Robinson Crusoe... *yawns*Taleihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07317577935549931974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-90267558505238414242011-08-29T07:21:27.739-07:002011-08-29T07:21:27.739-07:00Sadly, I have read many books that either did not ...Sadly, I have read many books that either did not live up to the hype, imho. I used to finish everything, but now...not so much. There's just too many other good books waiting to be read.mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-12998876286506814842011-08-29T07:02:04.121-07:002011-08-29T07:02:04.121-07:00I'm greedy, I want both. However, I'll for...I'm greedy, I want both. However, I'll forgive a badly written book (to a point) with a great plot over a well written dull book. I've definitely become more picky as I've got older.Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.com