(Picture credit: me, at Chihuly museum in Tacoma, WA). I'm posting this picture for a reason, to show the beauty of art that took invention, labor, and creativity to make.)Today over at Facebook I asked the question, "Why do poorly written books sell well?" Some spoke of the importance of story (and I agree.) A poorly written book with a knockout story will sell. We are creatures of story. Others mentioned that unschooled folks could write memoirs and they'd read them because they knew them. Also valid. One of my favorite books is a self published book by a now-deceased friend. He lived the message of that book. And he was an excellent storyteller.
Others lamented the loss of our taste for excellent writing. I lament that too. And others spoke of the importance of writing in today's vernacular. (I'd buy that, but then I read a book like The Book Thief, which is brilliant, and see that teens and adults can abide by good writing.)
Some mentioned marketing or an important hook (like a celebrity book). True. Much of what entices consumers ties into marketing. But it's also true that good ol' grass roots word of mouth truly sells books. So why would folks recommend a poorly written book?
Others mentioned that poor writing is in the eye of the beholder. That one person's poor writing is another's accessibility. True. We're all different, and we all have unique reading preferences. And not everyone is nitpicky like me.
A girl named Rachel wrote this: "Book selling is a business, good writing is an art. TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PLANETS. Why do we pay $20 for a copy of picture at our local big box store and there are hand-painted masterpieces in someone's basement?" That's an interesting point. But as a writer who tries to make a living, surely there's some convergence between the two, right?
Beth wrote, "It appears to me it is more about how God would choose to use a book, than how polished their writing is. God still uses broken vessels today just as he did in Biblical times." While, as a cracked pot myself, I agree with this, the logic could be taken to another conclusion. I could say, "Well, God uses broken stuff, so I'm just going to slap something together and pray He'll bless it." Of course I believe in the sovereignty of God, but I also believe in the Puritan work ethic, the laboring over something as an act of worship of a Creative God. As David said, I don't want to offer something to God that costs me nothing.
As a word artist, I take my craft seriously. I know not all writers see themselves that way. That's okay.
But for me, I must write a better book than the book I've written before. As a Christ follower, I choose to grow, to learn excellence, to perfect the craft as a form of worship. Of course that includes storytelling. But it also involves crafting the words, creating the kind of sentences and stories that woo my readers in. I'm passionate about this, as its my livelihood.
Does it bother me that poorly written books sell? On one small level, yes. But it doesn't deter me from pressing into working harder. I owe that to the One who gifted me, and I owe it to my reader.
I know I may not sell a million books. But I do want to be able to look myself in the mirror and know I've grown in my craft. More than that, I want to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant."
20 comments:
I do think that too many people were taught to have an appreciation for well written material, whether a book, letter to the editor, or an email. But, then again, I learned to read using "See Spot run." Not exactly good literature.
I agree with Mary about looking myself in the mirror. I want to be proud of my articles and books (is that a Christian thing to do?). A well-written piece is more important than, dare I say it, a best seller.
I don't think good writing and high sales are completely mutually exclusive.
Although there's very little on the current best-seller lists I want to read.
much as I love to sink into good writing, there are times, especially in high stress, when what I need is brain candy -- something where the writing may not pass the "will this still be around in 400 years?" test, but the characters engage me and the story grips me and I can enter a different world for awhile and forget my own problems.
I also don't think wanting to write well and make each piece better than the one before it is exclusive to any particular religion.
I agree with you, since I've been studying the craft. I'm working hard to write a better book than I did my first time around. I, too, feel I owe it to God and my readers. However, there'll always be a small part of me that feels there are so many lost souls who need reaching for God's kingdom, and they may be touched by a book that's not well crafted. It's a win for God. There are many I know I'd like to reach, and for many of those, the well written book won't matter, but the story that touches their heart will. However, like you, I now strive to do both, and I pray my writing will bless others and touch their hearts and souls for God.
Oh -- I just remembered. I mentioned "Mind of the Maker," but I also should have recommended C. S. Lewis's wonderful book "An Experiment in Criticism." He explains so well how we often "use" books to give us certain feelings, rather than reading them for what they actually are. Definitely check it out if you want his take on this question.
Thanks Mary. I thought I was going to read this and just feel frustrated at my own failure to get published, but you're such a positive person, or at least you seem to be. Thank you for leaving me inspired to keep doing my best for God, and trusting Him.
A cracked pot--aw, come on, Mary--you're doing pretty well for a cracked pot.
Seriously, as an English teacher of juniors and seniors who are not going to a 4-year college, I think I know one reason why poorly written books sell well. Many people do not have a command of our written language, so they to lean towards writing that makes them comfortable. In my classroom, any student's writing that I consider poor is well received by his/her peers. I really think poor writing makes many people comfortable because that's what they're used to. After all, they can read their own writing.
Patriciazell does have a very good point--a lot of people don't have a good grasp of the written word. It's most likely a combination of that and the amazing storyline idea.
All I know is, that whenever I read a poorly written book, no mater how good the storyline is, it makes me want to work on writing even better so no one can say of my future books, "That was poorly written." Shouldn't we all do our best, considering the gift God has given us?
Literature appreciation is a skill that matures with exposure and desire. It is a privilege that requires investment. Not all writers and readers are at the same level. That's why less-than-stellar writing sells and even satisfies. I dare say,I once took delight in what I now consider light-weight art. And compared to others, my taste might still be quite unrefined...but I am a work in process and so are other writers and readers.
I believe that people read based on their level of education. What I mean is, some people don't have a strong background in English or Literature so it's a lot easier to please them. Also, if the book is entertaining, despite obvious writing inadequacies, people may want to read it. If they know the person the book is about is another reason. But you know, a poorly written book may sell because it is advertised well. You know how you see trailers to a movie and you think, "I have got to see that movie" and then when you do it's not what you were expecting at all...well, it's the same with a great book advertisement. It can sell your book.
Yes, I admit that sometimes it frustrates me to see so many poorly-written books do well, while many well-written books sit on the shelves unsold. But then I'm reminded that God is sovereign, that He is totally in control. And whether I write an excellent, well-crafted book that sits on the shelf, or someone else writes a poorly-written, thrown-together book that sells well...God is ultimately in control.
But regardless of the outcome, my responsibility is unchanged: To write the most well-crafted book I can possibly write. It may not reach the masses, but it real reach those He has planned for it to reach.
I just remember, with poorly written books, that although I COULD write something of the same caliber and, apparently, publish it, that I would always be embarrassed by it. So I always try to improve my craft... and it definitely needs some work!
Mary, I agree. What we give to/for God should be our best. But how many times, just because in thought, He seems far away, we do things just to get by? I know I'm guilty. BUT I don't want to be.
I agree the primary reasons readers *buy* poorly written books are character and plot. As previously noted, many readers haven't studied literature enough to realize that some best-selling authors' sentences are poorly constructed.
I think the more important question is -- why do publishers *sell* poorly written books? If the characters and plot are solid, then the only thing stopping these books from being great is editing. It truly is all about craft. Unfortunately, publishers seem unwilling to invest the time and expense of editing good books to make them great. For too many sellers and buyers, "good" is good enough.
I do feel frustration when I see well-written novels by my favorite novelists languish on the mid-list, or tragically disappear (i.e. Watching the Tree Limbs), while other good, but not as artistic, books are steadily climbing to the top.
Of course, I don't know why I continue to express surprise. You can see it all across the artistic world. Indie films are often better than blockbuster films, but receive less or no attention. Rock concerts are sold-out far more often than symphony and dance performances. Poets make virtually no money unless they win a rare prize. Libraries, where you can still find well-written novels, are closing. It has been like this for years, but getting worse.
The only protest for those of us who care is to write better books, read better books, and BUY better books.
That's my soap box for the week. I guess I am officially back from Christmas vacation. :-)
Perhaps what a man will eat depends on how hungry he is and what's available.
The person who has lost a child to kidnapping will cling to a book that is full of editorial and doctrinal mistakes, simply because it is all he can find addressing the subject. Forget editing, or even marketing.
The best seller of all time contains writing we would, today, consider poor or even ungrammatical. As an English teacher, I can say some of the sentences are NOT possible to diagram on one sheet of paper. Yet it speaks, is living and active, has power to divide soul and spirit. Those who read little else might write similarly, with similar results.
I do want to add a 'generational element' here. There is a cultural shift toward wanting to read how we speak. I very much write this way, however, I very much never sell what I write on purpose.
What I do sell is my labor. Would it bother me if someone else was paid more for doing less?
Probably not. What my income is will never reflect what I do, as in God's Kingdom there is no currency.... these are my thoughts on your very. thought- provoking. post. : ) hehe
I agree with Mary that we should submit our gifts to the Lord in excellence. Period. But, I'm going to be VERY honest. This has been something on my mind for a long time.
I think what some people classify as "poorly written" books aren't so bad to readers because it's written in a way they can understand it. (if that makes sense). For example, I wrote a novel and sent a few chapters to a few different friends. One is an editor for a publishing house, one is a published novelist with a publishing house and the other two are just random friends. From a writers view, I wanted my writer buddies to critique it for me. They gave me great feedback that helps. My friends (random and not BEST friends either who aren't biased) read it and couldn't wait to read more.
I told them thanks but also that it was unedited and will take a WHILE before going into publication because I want it to be perfect.
But here's what I believe. My writing will NEVER be perfect. I've changed my chapter one a ga-billion times and each time I send it to another writer it's critiqued differently...some good responses...some interesting ones. Oh, and yep- it's been rejected a ga-billion times too. That doesn't bother me because I firmly believe in submitting my gift to the Lord in excellence.
So, my thoughts are that (some) people do their best. If they have a great story, people will buy it. I think writers should at least "try" to get better... even if you are a person like me who can't spent a ga-billion dollars on an editor. I can, however, read editing books, go to critique groups and get help in other areas.
Also, I try not to be TOO critical of others. If they have written a book with a powerful message that will inspire someone to change and be more like Jesus, even if it's "poorly written" they get a high-five from me. A good friend of mine wrote a powerful book for teens about a subject you don't really hear about and that publishers would reject (sadly)... but I know her message will help bring forth redemption. I believe that should be the most important goal for Christian writers.
Those are my thoughts on that. Sorry it was so much... and please excuse my word of the day "ga-billion".
Kennisha
P.S., I LOVE to read and I've read books by "Best Sellers" that went right over my head and lost me at chapter one!
Mary, thank you for this post, especially the last four paragraphs. You spoke to my heart because you expressed so beautifully what I feel, too.
I think the problem is no one has, or no group of writing Gods exists that has defined exactly what good writing is. The fact that writing like painting and music is an art form, especially in fiction lends to the near-fact that what is good or bad cannot be defined as each person has particular tastes. I always like to use the example I heard about some of Picasso's work. Some people see it as a masterpiece while others see it as finger painting that a child may have done. Regardless of whether that's what he was trying to do or not.
The biggest thing about my experience as a reader is that I've never been recommended a book because of good sentence structure, grammar, or whether the person had a great grasp on the English language. It always sounded like "you should read this book, it's so good," or "Oh my God I love this book," and "I couldn't put it down, I know you'll like it."
A great story, with good pacing, and characters that I can relate too or call human have made the best kind of stories for me regardless of genre. Which is why they win, regardless of how they're written "bad" or "good" in the eyes of the critics. So as I write, I simply try to write the best story I can without boring the reader. If it need 20 paragraphs, do 20. If it needs 2 lines, do 2 lines.
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