I have a bit of a dilemma. So I’m turning to the people who I know will understand exactly what I mean by that title. People who love the written word, especially those words that are written by an author you’ve come to enjoy, love even and trust that they will always “deliver the goods” for you.
I have many “favorite” authors in reality. Since I read many genre, this probably isn’t all that surprising. But this is the tale of one un-named author that has been a favorite of mine for more than a decade. I think that gives me enough invested interest to have an opinion of their work. Or even of what is lacking in their work lately.
It needs to be said that I mean absolutely no disrespect by this post. None whatsoever. It’s simply something that I have noticed over this authors last 3 to 5 novels. I’m going to assume that writers go through slumps, those times when the words just don’t, for whatever reason, flow easily. Now I cannot do what an author does. No way, no how. Oh, I can put words together to say how a novel affected me, whether I liked it, loved it or would pass it by, regretfully. But I cannot weave words into the magic of creating a world full of characters that readers would care overly much about what happens to them next. No that is a magic I do not have.
So when an author who has given me that magical world for years seems to no longer have the fire, the drive, the essence of the characters like they once did – I become concerned. When the only thing I truly recognize about the novel is the name of the Un-named Author on the cover – I think I have the right to question a bit. When I am beginning to think the unthinkable – that this author is not writing their books, someone else is – that is when I begin to truly panic.
Because I do not want to believe that.
I am heartbroken to say that I believe I have bought the last new novel by this author. Oh, I will still request new titles to be put on hold for me at the library, I’ll still read them in the desperate hopes that I am wrong. God, I pray I am wrong. But I do not believe I will hand over my hard earned cash any longer for the work of an artist who is not writing the kind of books I know they are capable of giving us.
And no, I will not be naming this author. I have no intention of being sued over a feeling, a suspicion that might not be true.
What do you do, as a reader, when an author’s work slips into something you no longer recognize? Do you stick it out with them, thinking it’s a temporary thing? Do you drop them from your buying schedule like yesterday’s trash?
How long do you hold onto the hope that your feeling is wrong? I’d really like to know your thoughts.
This is a really tough situation. When an author gets to the stage that you consider him/her as one of your favourites then he/she has created something that really speaks to you. If this magic is gone, it’s almost like a very close person to you betrayed you. I always try to keep the hope alive, that it’s just a phase. If this continues for more than 3 books, then I would probably fall into despair and read the books, just because I always do but not with my heart into it.
Aeriko @ The Reading Armchair recently posted…Review: Puella Magi Madoka Magica by Magica Quarter and Hanokage
Totally agree and understand your feelings on this one. It may sound odd, but when an author becomes one that you read every single one of their releases, it is a relationship. One-sided, yes, but it exists none the less.
It’s sad to even think the thoughts I put into the post, let alone publish them. But I was certain that there were other book lovers out there that would understand what I meant.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on this. I appreciate it.
Interesting post. Here are my thoughts: writing is a job, and like any job, it gets boring. Some writers like to switch things up and try writing a few books that feel different from their usual work. Maybe this unnamed writer is just bored and trying something new. He/She might go back to his/her old style of writing in the future. I wouldn’t totally give up on the author.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…FF Friday: In Which I Make Important Decisions
Valid points. I’ve enjoyed this author’s work for too long to completely give up on them. That would be very difficult to do, because with each new release I’m hoping to see that spark again.. so I’ll keep reading – I do not know if I’ll keep buying.
Thanks for commenting. I do appreciate the time and thoughts.
I’m currently in this statute too, so I decided that certain author and I are going to take a break from each other.
Paulina @ The Little Book Pixie recently posted…Weekly Recap May 4th-May 10th
That’s probably the best solution for now. It’s not easy but it might be necessary.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
I think that you stick with them at first. Give them the benefit of the doubt. But, if it’s been going on for awhile, like with your author, I think you’ve got to stop buying the books. You don’t want to waste your money on books that you aren’t going to like.
Getting them from the library and reading them when you have time is a good idea. You never know if they’ll turn their slump around or start writing in the way you like again. You don’t want to miss out if that happens, but you don’t want to be spending money on books that make you sad.
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That is pretty much the decision I’ve come to. To be brutally honest, even with NetGalley and Free E-Books, novels are not inexpensive – and I love to read, especially authors I’ve been with for years. So I’ll check out their books from the library and hope to find that fire once again – maybe then, if that ever happens, I’ll start paying my hard earned cash once again.
Thanks for commenting, I appreciate it so much.
As a writer, I and a reader, I completely understand this. I’ve made a promise to myself…when my series becomes automatic or boring to me, I’ll end it. Of course I’m not a well-known author whose income comes only from my writing (and thank God because I’d be living with my brother and uh, NO THANKS!) so I can make that decision. I have several ‘favorite’ authors (NYT best selling authors) whose series books have hit the end point, yet they keep going. I’ve stopped reading them because I simply don’t enjoy them anymore. Some are even to the point of being a formula for the author and I hate that. I saw this addressed in another blog recently and someone said that for every ten readers who stop reading a well known author (not someone like me at this point), there are still thousands who buy and love the new books, so that’s why they don’t quit. That makes sense to me but that’s a totally different playing field than I’m on. If Angela, Fran and Mel every get boring to me, they will live happily ever after. Then there is the other side of the coin. My favorite author (Robert B. Parker who wrote the Spenser series) passed away a few years ago. I’ve read all of his books (I can’t count that high) and I bawled like a baby when I heard the news. How rude of him to live into his late 70’s and then die before I was ready! :/ Either way, it’s tough to be in your position for the reader and for the author. I hope you find some new authors you enjoy. PS: The Spenser series is one I’d definitely recommend. 🙂
I love your reviews by the way!
Carolyn
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson recently posted…Mother’s Day & Father’s Day
When someone has been a part of one’s life for years and years – and then changes to become someone different, I equate it to a divorce. And this author and I are obviously going through a difficult divorce right now. While 70% of me says hold on it will get better, 30% says enjoy what was and move on. Like I’ve mentioned before I will still read them, I just won’t buy them. And should this trend continue I will reach the point of signing the divorce papers and read them no more.
I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but people change.
Thank you so much for commenting. It is a very good input to get an author’s read on something like this subject. But then authors read too *smile* so I shouldn’t be surprised.
And thanks, I’m glad you like the reviews, that means a lot to me.