Fiction

leftieNanner

(16,029 posts)

3. Except for Charles Dickens

Sat May 16, 2020, 02:55 PM

May 2020

He always took about 100 pages to hook me, but it was worth the wait! His style was so different from what we find in fiction today. I took a writing class a while back and the instructor said that for an agent or editor to pull your story out of the slush pile, you need to grab them on the first page! That may be why so many people passed on the first Harry Potter book because it doesn't begin with a bang! It begins with a description of Vernon Dursley and Privet Drive. It took a curious assistant carrying it home for the weekend to get attention. Apparently, she came in on Monday morning and told the agent - "YOU MUST TAKE ON THIS BOOK!"

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I don't like fiction written in the present tense. [View all] raccoon May 2020 OP

Totally agree! CrispyQ May 2020 #1

Except for Charles Dickens leftieNanner May 2020 #3

You are right. CrispyQ May 2020 #8

I couldn't finish the first Harry Potter until after I saw the movie. 3catwoman3 May 2020 #10

I have definitely gotten more selective with my reading choices leftieNanner May 2020 #11

I, too, am a re-reader. I know a lot of people think that is... 3catwoman3 May 2020 #13

OH! Winds of War and War and Remembrance!! leftieNanner May 2020 #14

I rewatch The American President when... 3catwoman3 May 2020 #15

I need to read them again leftieNanner May 2020 #16

I also love to re-read books... Amy-Strange May 2020 #20

I'm not a speed reader, but a relatively fast reader. 3catwoman3 May 2020 #22

I've also found that the second time around is a better read... Amy-Strange May 2020 #23

I'm a 50 pager as well. bif May 2020 #19

Do you read anthologies? Amy-Strange May 2020 #25

You mean like this sort of thing? mr_lebowski May 2020 #2

Yes, that's what I mean. Nt raccoon May 2020 #5

I would say when it's written in present tense ... then it's basically a play. mr_lebowski May 2020 #7

Here I am... Newest Reality May 2020 #4

You grabbed me! Nt raccoon May 2020 #6

I'd pay money to read the rest of that story... Amy-Strange May 2020 #24

Well, the author probably had a very good reason for using that perspective PJMcK May 2020 #9

I likewise cannot abide books written in the present tense. PoindexterOglethorpe May 2020 #12

"Immediacy to the action" The King of Prussia May 2020 #17

Excellent point. PoindexterOglethorpe May 2020 #18

It's a personal choice for sure... Amy-Strange May 2020 #21