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Wednesday, August 2, 2017

IWSG - PET PEEVES







Question:

What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?


My biggest pet peeve regarding READING is when the story ends in a cliffhanger. In other words, buy the next book, and I’ll let you in on the real ending. HATE, HATE, HATE that!

Setting up the next story in the series is great, but I think a writer needs to tell a complete story in each book!

I’ve no real pet peeves regarding WRITING other than the fact that it takes me much longer than I’d like, but I’ve never been disappointed in the result.

I find the EDITING process the most fun. I’ve found that the true story reveals itself after I’ve handed off what I originally considered a finished story to a talented editor.  Once they’ve made their suggestions the real work begins, and the book really begins to shine.

Thanks for stopping by. I can’t wait to read your pet peeves!

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60 comments:

  1. Denise Covey August 2, 2017 at 12:46 AM

    Oh (((claps hands on face))) I end my book on a sorta cliffhanger, but not really, but you might still hate it! Like me, you enjoy the editing process. Such fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 2, 2017 at 6:56 AM

      As long as the book has a beginning, middle, and end - setting up the second in the series is fine, but please say the original plot has concluded. LOL One book equals one story. A series - many plot lines to a much larger story, that's fine.

      Delete
  2. dolorahAugust 2, 2017 at 3:03 AM

    Editing/revision is my favorite part of writing too. I've already went through the most difficult task of getting bare-bones story down on the page. Now the real story development begings :)

    So, you don't want me to write a cliff-hanger for the Reunions post? If I have the time for the writing ...

    I love cliff hanger endings, as you know. Makes the reader use their considerable imagination.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 2, 2017 at 7:44 AM

      I was speaking of books only. Flash fiction, and short stories with cliff hangers that cause the reader to use their imagination is perfect. It's usually how I finish my short stories. :)
      But books are a whole 'different story'! My opinion. To each his own!

      Delete
  3. Laura ClipsonAugust 2, 2017 at 4:18 AM

    I'm really looking forward to editing the story I wrote for Camp NaNo, my first drafts really are terrible. At the minute, it's less a story and more 50,000 words of notes and example scenes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 2, 2017 at 7:00 AM

      You've accomplished the hardest part! Now have fun! Thanks, Laura!
      Happy August!

      Delete
  4. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 2, 2017 at 7:31 AM

    I like the editing best as well.
    It's really annoying when a story ends on a cliffhanger with no real resolution to the plot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 2, 2017 at 7:41 AM

      I forgot to mention on my comment on your blog, description was my favorite too. Then the editor starts cutting, oh well, such a shame. But I guess today, if a person wants to travel all they have to do is turn on the computer. IN MY DAY - it was all about the description, my imagination loved it! LOL Times have changed! :)

      Delete
  5. Pat HattAugust 2, 2017 at 8:03 AM

    When a book resolves nothing and just ends on a cliffhanger, yeah that can be annoying. When they resolve much and just leave a little open for the next one, much better.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Michael Di GesuAugust 2, 2017 at 9:06 AM

    Hi, Renee,

    CRAZY TIMES..... I agree with all of you, I do love editing! It is such fun for me. And I honestly don't mind if I have to go through a ms a hundred times to make it perfect...

    Pet peeves.... I think you may know this one, R... INFO DUMPS.... I really dislike when a huge amount of information is dumped. The writer needs to weave these tidbits of information into the story's frame through action and dialogue....

    Hope all is well......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 5:38 PM

      Got it! Hi, Michael, all is well, and getting better! :)

      Delete
  7. emaginetteAugust 2, 2017 at 9:26 AM

    Cliffhangers between chapters--okay. But cliffhangers at the end of a story stops me from reading that author again. Trust broken and I'm done.

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
  8. L. Diane WolfeAugust 2, 2017 at 10:16 AM

    When that story starts to shine, we really get excited.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sadira StoneAugust 2, 2017 at 11:13 AM

    Yup, yup, yup. Cliffhanger endings feel like cheap manipulation. I also dislike the plot device of having one character say, "I'll explain later" repeatedly throughout the story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 5:51 PM

      I've not seen the 'I'll explain later' but boy that would be irritating! :)

      Delete
  10. Chrys FeyAugust 2, 2017 at 11:59 AM

    I enjoy editing, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. cleemckenzieAugust 2, 2017 at 12:41 PM

    Making note: No Cliffhangers for Yolanda. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 5:52 PM

      LOL, only at the end of a very long book! Hi, Lee!

      Delete
  12. L.G. KeltnerAugust 2, 2017 at 3:24 PM

    Cliffhangers are so frustrating! If someone has told a satisfying story, I'll buy the next book. I don't need to be manipulated that way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 5:53 PM

      I know, I refuse to buy the next book if the plot line for that story doesn't have a conclusion.

      Delete
  13. Deborah DruckerAugust 2, 2017 at 8:22 PM

    I've read a few books like that with the cliff hanger ending and I did not like it either. The gimmick is so obvious.

    ReplyDelete
  14. klahanieAugust 2, 2017 at 8:29 PM

    Hey Yolanda,

    I can relate to the cliffhanger bit. Especially when the cliffhanger has a cliffhanger. My pet peeve is that I couldn't buy a pet peeve at the pet shop. Actually, my pet peeve is those writers who insist on using run-on sentences that seem to go on and on and on and you find you're running out of breath just reading the run on sentences that seem to go on for like forever and then some....

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 5:58 PM

      Hi, Gary!!!!!
      Boy I've missed you and Penny. I'm famous for the run on sentence and many other errors. :) But that's what a good editor is supposed to find, right?
      Hugs and cuddles for Penny! And I hope your eyes are healing!!!!

      Delete
  15. Jennifer LaneAugust 2, 2017 at 8:51 PM

    Hey Yolanda, I have to admit I ended one of my books on a cliffhanger and maybe this sounds like a copout but I believed it was the best way to end it given the themes and conflict of the story. I can totally appreciate that some readers hate that, though! Happy writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 5:59 PM

      It does depend on the book, but most of the time, I find it maddening. :)

      Delete
  16. Nas August 2, 2017 at 8:57 PM

    Hi Yolanda!

    I hear you on the cliffhangers. Its a no-go for me too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Olga GodimAugust 2, 2017 at 9:01 PM

    This is amazing, Yolanda: we have the exact same pet peeve. I even expressed my answer in similar words. We must be on the same wavelength.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:01 PM

      Hi, Olga!
      Definitely on the same wave length. LOL

      Delete
  18. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyAugust 2, 2017 at 9:11 PM

    Oh my gosh, cliffhangers are just awful!!! If I know beforehand it has a cliffhanger ending, I won't read it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:02 PM

      Hi, Lynda, I'm the same way with movies that are tear jerkers. I cry way too easily and HATE that! So I seldom watch a movie that will cause tears, unless I hear it's a MUST see!

      Delete
  19. Hilary Melton-ButcherAugust 3, 2017 at 4:58 AM

    Hi Renee- cliff hangers, or books that just fade away ... loosely tying the ends - but no proper finality. Setting the series up for the future books makes sense. Good to see you here ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:03 PM

      Setting up the next book is fine as long as the main plot of the first book is solved. But that's just me, well, and a few others. :)

      Delete
  20. Leigh CaronAugust 3, 2017 at 5:59 AM

    Cliffhangers work with chapter endings...but I don't like them either with book endings. What I do love are books that continue characters from a previous book but the story can stand alone. Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes, and End of Watch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:04 PM

      I love the chapter ending cliffhangers! Yes, great examples!

      Delete
  21. Suzanne FurnessAugust 3, 2017 at 9:04 AM

    Cliff-hangers that leave you dangling and unsatisfied with the first book are a no for me too also if it seems to end to neatly with lots of coincidences. This can really spoil the whole book for me.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Cathrina ConstantineAugust 3, 2017 at 11:33 AM

    I tend to agree about cliffhangers. I use a lot of them at the end of each chapter, urging the reader on. I have read book series, but it would be nice if they did end on a finished note.

    My first draft is usually the most difficult part. And while I also like the challenge of editing, it can be a hair pulling event. In the end, if all goes well, it is quite satisfying.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:06 PM

      Final edits can be stressful, just when you think you're done, oops, another major change. But it is all fun!

      Delete
  23. Chemist KenAugust 3, 2017 at 12:13 PM

    I don't care much for cliffhangers at the end of books either. It's one thing to leave some unanswered questions for the next book, but there needs to be some sort of resolution at the end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:07 PM

      Agree, Ken. Resolve the issue and set up the next book. Fine!

      Delete
  24. Jennifer HawesAugust 3, 2017 at 12:50 PM

    So very true. If they answer the cliffhanger in the end, but start a new one, I'm okay with that. Just don't leave us hangin'!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sandra CoxAugust 3, 2017 at 3:01 PM

    Me too, Yolanda! Unless I'm so wrapped up in the book I can't put it down, I don't purchase the rest of the series it frustrates me so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:08 PM

      I've read some good books, that I'd love to know the conclusion too, but I refuse. Matter of principle for me. :)

      Delete
  26. Christine RainsAugust 3, 2017 at 3:22 PM

    Oh those rotten cliffhangers! An overall story arc is fine, but each book definitely must have its own tied up story.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Cherie ColyerAugust 3, 2017 at 4:00 PM

    I'm with you! I hate reaching the end of a book only to find out it's not the end. That just angers me. Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 3, 2017 at 6:09 PM

      You're welcome Cherie, I hope to return more often!!!

      Delete
  28. Michelle WallaceAugust 5, 2017 at 11:22 AM

    Cliffhanger endings? They work in some cases, but the writer has to know HOW to pull it off and not all writers can do so effectively.

    When it comes to trad pub books, especially the Big Five, my expectations are high and I’m annoyed by unnecessary typos and grammar errors. Not fair, I suppose. But I always imagine that these books have big budgets in place, and top notch editors working on the manuscripts…am I right? Maybe the 'big budget' is a misconception.
    Hope you're well, Yolanda!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 6, 2017 at 8:13 PM

      I agree, Michelle, the Big Five have no excuse! Small publishers that promise edits and proofreading fall into the same boat too! No excuse!
      I am very well, thank you!

      Delete
  29. Julie FlandersAugust 6, 2017 at 8:05 PM

    I'm so excited to give WEP a try this month! I've been procrastinating and not getting anything done with writing or blogging, so signing up for this has given me a much needed spark. Looking forward to reading all the stories!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yolanda RenéeAugust 6, 2017 at 8:17 PM

      I was delighted to see your name on the list! WELCOME! I wasn't sure I'd even be posting for this one. Health issues always mess with the muse, but darn, if I didn't sit down and write my entry in an hour. Of course, after weeks of leaving it to my muse. So cool! I know you'll do well! This challenge is always an inspiration! Can't wait to read all the entries!

      Delete
  30. AnonymousAugust 7, 2017 at 1:26 AM

    I completely understand about the cliffhangers! The book has to be really, really good for me to purchase more in the series. Most times, I suck it up and imagine where the story goes next.

    Can't say I like editing much; I still have some issues with focus. :( Have a great night! Hugs. Eva

    ReplyDelete
  31. Derek Advert March 8, 2022 at 10:25 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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