Hee! Oh, KS is mean. But having copyedited one or two of these... I don't blame her one bit.
But I think it really just supply and demand. Book sells. Publisher cries "awesome! more sales!" which becomes "we need more of same!" Author complies, regardless of whether there is inspiration, time, or a worthwhile story floating around in their head (and regardless of whether they were really talented to begin with). Deadline looms. Author hits upon formula. Formula sells. Fans get comfortable with the familiar. Author continues to dish out crappy formula. Lashers cry.
I've seen some stuff pass under my pen that has ASTOUNDED me in its... phenomenal, all-encompassing, unequivocal [insert string of adjectives and/or mute-handwaving here] badness. Stuff where I'm literally offended, where I've had to, like, put it down and go walk around the block. Seven months later I come face-to-face with wall-to wall gushing, five-star reviews on Amazon.com. So somebody's satisfied.
Every so often I think "DAMMIT! I know grammar! I can describe things! I could write this shit!!!"
But, ya know? I couldn't. I can't finish anything. Having the attention span and fortitude to complete some of this stuff is more than half the battle - more than luck. And if the masses are buying, the masses must want what they're getting.
So what can you do? I put the commas in, breathe deep, and try to read "better" stuff in my spare time.
no subject
But I think it really just supply and demand. Book sells. Publisher cries "awesome! more sales!" which becomes "we need more of same!" Author complies, regardless of whether there is inspiration, time, or a worthwhile story floating around in their head (and regardless of whether they were really talented to begin with). Deadline looms. Author hits upon formula. Formula sells. Fans get comfortable with the familiar. Author continues to dish out crappy formula. Lashers cry.
I've seen some stuff pass under my pen that has ASTOUNDED me in its... phenomenal, all-encompassing, unequivocal [insert string of adjectives and/or mute-handwaving here] badness. Stuff where I'm literally offended, where I've had to, like, put it down and go walk around the block. Seven months later I come face-to-face with wall-to wall gushing, five-star reviews on Amazon.com. So somebody's satisfied.
Every so often I think "DAMMIT! I know grammar! I can describe things! I could write this shit!!!"
But, ya know? I couldn't. I can't finish anything. Having the attention span and fortitude to complete some of this stuff is more than half the battle - more than luck. And if the masses are buying, the masses must want what they're getting.
So what can you do? I put the commas in, breathe deep, and try to read "better" stuff in my spare time.
Aw Jesus. Depressed now... ^__^