I like romances in stories where the girl and the boy HATE each other, then after a long, long time, they become friends and then slowly fall in love.
I AGREE! I hate it when in TV shows, or in book, the author or creater tries to shove some sort of belief down your throat. That's why I love Baccano! <3
Finally! Someone who agrees with me! You would not believe how much paranormal/supernatural books are in the YA section at my local Books-a-million. I guess it's just hard to find good YA fiction these days.
I may be an amateur, but my view at writing is... Dont take books or "laws" about writing fiction so seriously. Just write in your own style. People like different things. After all writing is art. Art is a product of human emotions, and is in my opinion, best when it comes straight from your heart.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This chick just really annoys me. GOD let people write how they want; if people loke it then obviously they are doing something RIGHT not wrong. You write in your style and they will write in theirs there is no crime in wanting to thoroughly describe something. Enhanced descriptions make the picture in your head more vivid. Not dissin' her opinion or anything I just think that she should keep it to herself. XOXO ;-)
I agree with a lot of things you say but the comment of in twilight, I do not think stephenie is an up to par and Rosalie is stereotypical as the beautiful shallow blonde but she isn't a dumb blonde
i love Dimitri...do you mean from Anastasia? :3 and i agree with you, i overly describe WAY too many things...like the color of a girls eye....well it WAS coming from a boy who liked her
For number 10, what would be the best method when it comes to many people in the same room. Let's say Bob walks into a room and sees three guys and two girls in the room. Or what if an action scene happens and four people come to help out the hero. Should I wait until later to describe them(even though it feels out of place and the reader doesn't know what I look like) or do I put together a VERY brief thing about a character and then go into detail later.
I like when authors are very descriptive with a character's clothing the first time you meet them, just to get a rough idea. Not that I want a paragraph about Dumbledore's beard. Just kidding, Dumbledore is awesome. But, Edward? Do you honestly need to describe a nose 80 times? NO.
i'm writing a story, and it is probably the only story I will ever write, because its the only one i desire to write. anyway, because of this I want to assure I make a great book and not make the bad mistakes you usually see in writing.
your vids have given me great advice, and to my relief i did not see any of these annoying things in my writing. yet. but, i'll keep an eye out.
I agree, that sometimes YA writers describe too much and I respect your opinion, but my opinion is that that is the style of writing. YA writers and most YA readers like to describe and have a boy meets girl plot. I'm sure almost all of those authors can write differently than in depth descriptions 24/7, but they chose to write for teens. and that is what teens like.
And if a teen doesn't like this, i believe they should invest in Jane Austen or Stephen King
I disagree with all of your points except for the stereotypes. Other than that, I think that things like a lot of description is fine, as long as its not wasting too much space of describing trees, like you said, or what not.
this is evidence of the "dumbing down of America", pure and simple. Details are what makes language powerful, and literature beautiful. If you can't see the value and pleasure in words, only big explosions and violence, then stop reading altogether. And stop complaining.
@ariannahiggins Thats not what I'm saying. There is nothing wrong with using beautiful language. However, there is a problem will using purple prose in situations where it isn't warranted. Yes, there is beauty in words, I won't be an english major if I didn't think so, but YA Adult books misuse prose in abundance.
@MelinaPendulum I think that metaphores mean a lot.For example:"My young years sounded like a song, but I passed them with love by a hand, I remained with my hand empty like King Lear's."I think it's really sensible.I mean, I don't really prefer:My young years are kinda dizzy,had crushes all the time, but, in the end love just went by, with a cruel smile on her red lips-the forbidden apple(sorry, can't help myself), and I was left with nothing.I think that you have to speak from heart.
@ariannahiggins There is a difference between advanced language or a complex writing style and purple prose. The writing in, say, Les Miserables or Interview With the Vampire is a good example of a more complex writing style with advanced words. The language used in something like Twilight, however, is just over done, awkward, and often improper despite its attempts to come across as intelligent.
Haha, this is funny, if it's meant to be humorous. Gosh you kids today have no attention span. Oh is that a stereotype? Well in this case it's true. You should present these complaints to Edith Wharton or Thomas Hardy, some of the BEST writers in the English language. Also, you should take some time off from blasting heavy metal and instead try to focus on a REAL novel, you know, something that took actual time and effort and talent to write, not that any idiot could have written in 3 months.
@ariannahiggins I'm not sure if your referring to Melina or the people she is complaining about. But, if you are referring to Melina, this is what I have to say:
She reads many classic books, but she is talking about Purple Prose. In other words, awkward, cliche poetry authors use in an attempt to sound intelligent. And yes, that is a stereotype, I am 16 and I have read Les Miserables, an 800 page book, on my own time, by my own will, and I enjoyed it. I have read many other novels as well.
@ariannahiggins It's fine if you disagree with her, but if you would actually listen to what she is saying- rather than just see that she is under the age of 40 and go into attack mode- you might find that she is more intelligent and knowledgeable than you give her credit for. And by the way, that "heavy metal noise" all us kids are listening to takes a lot of skill to make. Death metal songs are often based off of patterns in classical music. Open your mind a bit ;)
I actually like over description...it lets me visualize everything in my mind! In my writing class, we are taught to over describe. And this was mentioned before, "average girl" may not be percieved as "average girl" to the author. And the stereotypes can get kind of annoying, but sometimes, when you think of your characters, thats just what you want.
I am so very guilty of Number 10. XD Not so much giving the reader a big block of poetic details, so much as I tend to squeeze a million adjectives into every sentence.
@MelinaPendulum I concur with "ChikenMuffinz" (nice name), and I'm glad you know it sucks, because Vampire Kisses has got to be some of the worst literature I've ever read. It is the epitome of your list here. (Which, by the way I love! I totally agree with you on all these points) It's sad; I used to love it when I was in eighth grade and then at one point I looked up and realized... What the f***? It was a reality slap to the face, for which I am eternally grateful. Great post!
@xojennyful the sad part is that the author of Vampire Kisses is releasing a new series about...*insert drum roll*...werewolves. Yes. Werewolves. Need I say more...D:
Regarding the "average girl" plot, it's important to be careful that you're not simply assuming that the author is trying to portray the average girl. Some writers present the female lead with the qualities you describe, but don't try to pass her off as "average" or "normal." To use a television example, take Tori Vega from Victorious. Talented and likeable, definitely above average. The reason she works is that no attempt is made to claim that she's anything other than that.
@MelinaPendulum I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying it's important not to confuse a well wriiten plotline with the average girl plot. Also, watching the second part of this and I definitely agree with you on the name dropping and the "earn your happy ending" thing. Those make me want to be sick.
Why do you flash book images the whole time? I'm afraid I will get a seizure of it and that's said from someone who survived the whole time watching that Porygon episode of Pocket Monsters.
thank you, i love the actual plots that make you think, the ones that arent excactly laid out infront of you. like harry potter, i love the whole snape plot its amazing =). again agree with all of your points as always
Hey have you noticed...in most movies/books where one love interest is ugly in the extreme...it's the guy? It's like saying that women must accept men no matter how ugly they are (not that that's bad) but men can love women only if they're beautiful!
Eg: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera etc.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I mean no personal offence here, but your knowledge of the world of publishing seems limited. As already stated, in order to get your foot in the door, you have to give agents and publishers what sells. The books you believe don't meet your standard are what sell, so publishers are printing them and people are reading them. Your tone is a little too condescending for an unpublished writer. All opinions are vaild but advice should come from experience.
I don't claim to have any allknowing view on publishing. This is just my opinion. I haven't published anything or put anything out to be published because I am waiting to put out something that I can be proud of.
Just because something sells doesn't always make it a superior piece of literature and anyone can see that, published or not.
I have spent most of my young life trying to become a better writer, so yeah, it does annoy me when people just become popular because of trend. I'm human.
I agree with you that it is annoying to see books published and not be able to understand the appeal or see the reason it was picked over another work.
Publishing is about what sells, that is the bottom line. The big publishing houses and even the small ones are there to make money and sell books. Of course everyone wants to offer up work they can be proud of, but the fact remains that it is the trends and the formulas that sell and it's better to incorporate and improve than avoid.
P.S. One more thing. I'm still not finished w/your vid but half done & i've noticed that FANTASY seems to be the target of your video here. You also said something along the lines of the simple plots, ect are b.s. that's being published. Why not VEER outside of your chosen GENRE and not just rely on fantasy? There are amazing books out there that aren't fantasy. So instead of blaming all books, look around. Try "Into The Wild" I forgot the author' name but it's a solid read & NOT FANTASY:)
MELINApendulum, thank you for responding before. You know, i think there is a reason why so many books have that same formula you've complained about. I don't think it's an accident. It's cool to go against the grain and all but if I were you I'd try to give literary agents/editors/publishers what they want to increase my chances of being published & getting a foot in the door. After you're published you write "other" stuff you wanted to do all along, but you've got to get IN first, you know?
I'm not finished watching the whole vid yet, and thank you so much for posting this! Much appreciated. However, you know when a writer has to take a single idea or plot for a story & then turn that into a full 300-400 page book, it's really tricky. Maybe what you've described as "over detail" may be page-fillers. It stretches out the book a little more. It's hard for publishers to charge $30 for a hardback book that's 150 pages as opposed to a 400 page book. So it's a tricky task 4 the writers.
your write about them repeating the discription in ShadowLand (3rd book in immortal series xD) Ever reapeats OVER AND OVER the words "MY BEAUTIFUL BOYFRIEND" and she says it about millions of more times and i feel like telling her WE GET UR BF IS BEAUTIFUL SHUT UP ALREADY lol
You got some interesting points and i really liked the vid alot. Except for one little thing: When you change between the pictures this fast it really strains my eyes and gives me sort of a headache. But apart from that i loved the vid
I really appreciate your videos; they are astonishing, especially considering your age. You raised a lot of interesting arguments that have left me with some serious food for thought.
lol, I write and I admit that at the beginning of my stories, i'm descriptive about clothing and places but after i get the character appearances out the way, I'm straight to the point. and after I'm done describing them in details I'm just like you know what the f*ck they look like!
In regards to #6, I think it's impossible to do that for all characters. It would be tiresome to flesh out minor characters, and a waste of time. That's when a stereotype works. Never, EVER with a main character, but there are always exceptions to the rules, and I think minor characters being stereotypical is the exception.
I think it's totally possible. You don't need to flesh out minor characters because they wouldn't really be minor anymore. Minor characters tend to be flat anyway so there's not much need for development. Just pick a few personality traits that will serve the purpose of the plot and you're pretty good to go. At least, that is my trick. I don't think stereotypes should be used, period. Personally, I would think the writer lack both originality and creativity if they had to resort to stereotypes.
I read this book by Meg Cabot, Airhead. So, what really bothered me was when the main character Em kept on telling the readers how she was soooo in love with her best friend. It's like, okay, Em, we get it you're in teenage love with him! You don't have to tell us that each time you talk about Christopher! It's like she thinks we're going to forget. Reminds me of Meyer a little bit.
There are levels of over-description. A paragraph or a little bit more is fine. Pages about leaves and clothing and physical appearance is too much. Especially when it is repeated.
I think in books like AGATB it's overdescriptive because of timeline. Then things like clothes and appearances were the most important thing in women, so the characters viewpoint may react like that.
I think the 'average girl' thing is used a lot because authors want there characters to relate to the reader in some way. Yes, it's used a lot but that's a good way to open a good story with an average girl who falls into an extraordinary life. It sometimes makes the story all the more interesting.
Well I like AGATB. The books in the pictures are books I like ^_^
Also the key word is sometimes. Sometimes it does work. Sometimes it really doesn't, mostly because they don't make the girl average, they just CALL her average ^^
Over-description is what ruined the Vampire Chronicles for me. I mean, Anne Rice has good ideas, but her massive ego prevents her from getting an editor. So instead of finishing the books in two day incriments, I spent three months trying to get through ONE books, because she kept describing how great New Orleans and Paris was, or just writing two pages of something that didn't really make sense. I just got bored and did something else, then came back to the book awhile later. Time consuming.
I disagree, I always loved her descriptions. And keep in mind the worlds she creates are very lush and sensual so I think her prose suits the story she is attempting to tell.
OH GIRL! Ok, because I was about to say....NO YOU DIDN'T! I LOVE the Lovely Bones to death. Can't wait for the movie (Rachel Weisz, and Saoirse Ronan or two of my FAV actors [not to mention Susan Sarandon]).
While I agree with your points, I was confused on the whole "writing your nightmares" statement. What makes your fantasies more self-indulgent then your nightmares? Personally, I feel really good writing does not try and push either one of them, but 1) uses both in equal amounts, or 2) does not try and push either of them, and retains ambiguity. Because if you are only pushing your fears and nightmares, then in the end, it's still you writing for/about you and your personal problems.
Well, with the whole nightmares thing it was kind of a joke.
But, in seriousness, I wouldn't suggest writing your nightmares, but I will say that it is more safe to write something that makes you happy than scared.
To write something scary, you have to look in the darkness around and inside of you. It takes alot more searching to find the root of fear imo.
Wow, if I'm ever in need for a reality check while writing my fanfiction (and hopefully one day an actual novel) I'll race back to this video. As for nightmares, I love those. Reading and writing about them. The world really needs more nightmarish books to get them off their fantasyland cloud.
I love Dimitri Belikov and Alexander Sterling! :'D
MissReflex16 4 weeks ago
The girl in The Lovely Bones was average to me, but I adore her character....then again, she WAS a spirit, so maybe she was a bit above average XD
AliceParade13 1 month ago
@breezeandjaypwn Then you have nothing to worry about if you make it interesting
Icy199512 5 months ago in playlist Mow Melina Pendulum
Ooh! So do you like A Great And Terrible Beauty series? Will make a review on them? I love Libba Bray Books. I'm reading Beauty Queens right now.
XXCissneiXX 7 months ago
I like romances in stories where the girl and the boy HATE each other, then after a long, long time, they become friends and then slowly fall in love.
ElenaTheMonster 8 months ago
I AGREE! I hate it when in TV shows, or in book, the author or creater tries to shove some sort of belief down your throat. That's why I love Baccano! <3
samaimdeda 9 months ago
It's like you can read my mind...
23peacelovemusic 10 months ago
Finally! Someone who agrees with me! You would not believe how much paranormal/supernatural books are in the YA section at my local Books-a-million. I guess it's just hard to find good YA fiction these days.
kdgreer0 11 months ago
Grass is definitely a lot greener in Ireland than anywhere else in the world! The sheer delicious look of that stuff made me wish I was a sheep!
betlamed 1 year ago
I may be an amateur, but my view at writing is... Dont take books or "laws" about writing fiction so seriously. Just write in your own style. People like different things. After all writing is art. Art is a product of human emotions, and is in my opinion, best when it comes straight from your heart.
lindawhocares 1 year ago 8
@lindawhocares Thats fine, when people aren't paying for it.
MelinaPendulum 1 year ago 29
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This chick just really annoys me. GOD let people write how they want; if people loke it then obviously they are doing something RIGHT not wrong. You write in your style and they will write in theirs there is no crime in wanting to thoroughly describe something. Enhanced descriptions make the picture in your head more vivid. Not dissin' her opinion or anything I just think that she should keep it to herself. XOXO ;-)
TwiThomas04 1 year ago
@TwiThomas04 Then I think that you should just keep YOUR opinion to yourself. ;-)
hinasakukimi 9 months ago
Really, you are amazing.I think you will become a brilliant author.I would buy something from you definitely.
Aslara 1 year ago
I agree with a lot of things you say but the comment of in twilight, I do not think stephenie is an up to par and Rosalie is stereotypical as the beautiful shallow blonde but she isn't a dumb blonde
EmeraldRain13 1 year ago
I like your intro. Whats the song? D:
FunkesDragonRider 1 year ago
There are a lot of Dimitri's in the world of books, can you please let us in on which Dimitri you love more then Edward????
DjHamHam411 1 year ago
did you show the artemis fowl cover because you like the book or because you dont
eirik1234321 1 year ago
i love Dimitri...do you mean from Anastasia? :3 and i agree with you, i overly describe WAY too many things...like the color of a girls eye....well it WAS coming from a boy who liked her
Stinaisachibi 1 year ago
this was very helpful, thank you.
DevvourBookReviews 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Your total marriage solution partner mworld5.info
TarynViviana 1 year ago
For number 10, what would be the best method when it comes to many people in the same room. Let's say Bob walks into a room and sees three guys and two girls in the room. Or what if an action scene happens and four people come to help out the hero. Should I wait until later to describe them(even though it feels out of place and the reader doesn't know what I look like) or do I put together a VERY brief thing about a character and then go into detail later.
Dragonite43 1 year ago
right, I'm such an old fart
ariannahiggins 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Trust me I will give you naughty things mworld5.info
ValWandac 1 year ago
I like when authors are very descriptive with a character's clothing the first time you meet them, just to get a rough idea. Not that I want a paragraph about Dumbledore's beard. Just kidding, Dumbledore is awesome. But, Edward? Do you honestly need to describe a nose 80 times? NO.
lemoniceluxe 1 year ago
My favorite writers are Dean Koontz and Stephen King. But that is because I am in LOOOOVVVEEE with Horror and Thrillers.
DjHamHam411 1 year ago
This should be also titled " 10 annoying things that fanfiction writers do"
Awesome video! Really opened up my mind.
MickeyiAla 1 year ago
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO.
i'm writing a story, and it is probably the only story I will ever write, because its the only one i desire to write. anyway, because of this I want to assure I make a great book and not make the bad mistakes you usually see in writing.
your vids have given me great advice, and to my relief i did not see any of these annoying things in my writing. yet. but, i'll keep an eye out.
ccrstarpanda 1 year ago
I agree, that sometimes YA writers describe too much and I respect your opinion, but my opinion is that that is the style of writing. YA writers and most YA readers like to describe and have a boy meets girl plot. I'm sure almost all of those authors can write differently than in depth descriptions 24/7, but they chose to write for teens. and that is what teens like.
And if a teen doesn't like this, i believe they should invest in Jane Austen or Stephen King
RazerJane6 1 year ago
I disagree with all of your points except for the stereotypes. Other than that, I think that things like a lot of description is fine, as long as its not wasting too much space of describing trees, like you said, or what not.
alwayzme103 1 year ago
this is evidence of the "dumbing down of America", pure and simple. Details are what makes language powerful, and literature beautiful. If you can't see the value and pleasure in words, only big explosions and violence, then stop reading altogether. And stop complaining.
Literature major/poetess out.
ariannahiggins 1 year ago
@ariannahiggins Thats not what I'm saying. There is nothing wrong with using beautiful language. However, there is a problem will using purple prose in situations where it isn't warranted. Yes, there is beauty in words, I won't be an english major if I didn't think so, but YA Adult books misuse prose in abundance.
MelinaPendulum 1 year ago 24
@MelinaPendulum There is certainly a lot of room for subjectiveness in here, though I agree with the general principle.
betlamed 1 year ago
@MelinaPendulum I think that metaphores mean a lot.For example:"My young years sounded like a song, but I passed them with love by a hand, I remained with my hand empty like King Lear's."I think it's really sensible.I mean, I don't really prefer:My young years are kinda dizzy,had crushes all the time, but, in the end love just went by, with a cruel smile on her red lips-the forbidden apple(sorry, can't help myself), and I was left with nothing.I think that you have to speak from heart.
teanicolae 7 months ago
@ariannahiggins There is a difference between advanced language or a complex writing style and purple prose. The writing in, say, Les Miserables or Interview With the Vampire is a good example of a more complex writing style with advanced words. The language used in something like Twilight, however, is just over done, awkward, and often improper despite its attempts to come across as intelligent.
handmiadenofgod 1 year ago
Haha, this is funny, if it's meant to be humorous. Gosh you kids today have no attention span. Oh is that a stereotype? Well in this case it's true. You should present these complaints to Edith Wharton or Thomas Hardy, some of the BEST writers in the English language. Also, you should take some time off from blasting heavy metal and instead try to focus on a REAL novel, you know, something that took actual time and effort and talent to write, not that any idiot could have written in 3 months.
ariannahiggins 1 year ago
@ariannahiggins I'm not sure if your referring to Melina or the people she is complaining about. But, if you are referring to Melina, this is what I have to say:
She reads many classic books, but she is talking about Purple Prose. In other words, awkward, cliche poetry authors use in an attempt to sound intelligent. And yes, that is a stereotype, I am 16 and I have read Les Miserables, an 800 page book, on my own time, by my own will, and I enjoyed it. I have read many other novels as well.
handmiadenofgod 1 year ago
@ariannahiggins It's fine if you disagree with her, but if you would actually listen to what she is saying- rather than just see that she is under the age of 40 and go into attack mode- you might find that she is more intelligent and knowledgeable than you give her credit for. And by the way, that "heavy metal noise" all us kids are listening to takes a lot of skill to make. Death metal songs are often based off of patterns in classical music. Open your mind a bit ;)
handmiadenofgod 1 year ago 4
I actually like over description...it lets me visualize everything in my mind! In my writing class, we are taught to over describe. And this was mentioned before, "average girl" may not be percieved as "average girl" to the author. And the stereotypes can get kind of annoying, but sometimes, when you think of your characters, thats just what you want.
TaylorRumsey 1 year ago
I liked emmet. Mabye it's because I wanted an older brother. Oh well. Anyway your awesome, like usuall. But I'm tottally guilty of over description.
12cherrysakura 1 year ago
I am so very guilty of Number 10. XD Not so much giving the reader a big block of poetic details, so much as I tend to squeeze a million adjectives into every sentence.
LeslieWilsonPerry 1 year ago
The books you show are ones you like or don't like?
Because if you like Vampire Kisses I would be really disappointed.
ChikenMuffinz 1 year ago
@ChikenMuffinz Well, then you would be disappointed. it's a guilty pleasure, I know its no good.
MelinaPendulum 1 year ago
@MelinaPendulum I can understand that. I still read Maximum Ride (stopped at the fourth book, actually) even though I know it's a big pile of eh.
ChikenMuffinz 1 year ago
@MelinaPendulum I concur with "ChikenMuffinz" (nice name), and I'm glad you know it sucks, because Vampire Kisses has got to be some of the worst literature I've ever read. It is the epitome of your list here. (Which, by the way I love! I totally agree with you on all these points) It's sad; I used to love it when I was in eighth grade and then at one point I looked up and realized... What the f***? It was a reality slap to the face, for which I am eternally grateful. Great post!
xojennyful 1 year ago
@xojennyful the sad part is that the author of Vampire Kisses is releasing a new series about...*insert drum roll*...werewolves. Yes. Werewolves. Need I say more...D:
HiHiHana 1 year ago
@HiHiHana WEREWOLVES??? That's it. God's a Twilight fan.
xojennyful 1 year ago
Regarding the "average girl" plot, it's important to be careful that you're not simply assuming that the author is trying to portray the average girl. Some writers present the female lead with the qualities you describe, but don't try to pass her off as "average" or "normal." To use a television example, take Tori Vega from Victorious. Talented and likeable, definitely above average. The reason she works is that no attempt is made to claim that she's anything other than that.
Gmooreisawesome 1 year ago
@Gmooreisawesome The average girl plot works sometimes and sometimes it doesnt. Simple as that
MelinaPendulum 1 year ago
@MelinaPendulum I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying it's important not to confuse a well wriiten plotline with the average girl plot. Also, watching the second part of this and I definitely agree with you on the name dropping and the "earn your happy ending" thing. Those make me want to be sick.
Gmooreisawesome 1 year ago
Who is your favorite writer?
zagavagazaz 1 year ago
How about the bubbly, fiesty, will cuse you and your mama out if you make her mad, blonde? And her rape victim/ loner boyfriend.
12cherrysakura 1 year ago
Why do you flash book images the whole time? I'm afraid I will get a seizure of it and that's said from someone who survived the whole time watching that Porygon episode of Pocket Monsters.
PkmnMegahero 1 year ago
@PkmnMegahero lol. I apologize
MelinaPendulum 1 year ago
and number 8 is why i have stopped reading fictions for a bit untill authors can learn how to write again :) i stil read though :)
kelseyhm 1 year ago
Comment removed
losersalwayswin 1 year ago
im getting epilipsy...
angelofdeathx5555 1 year ago
thank you, i love the actual plots that make you think, the ones that arent excactly laid out infront of you. like harry potter, i love the whole snape plot its amazing =). again agree with all of your points as always
kelseyhm 1 year ago
Hey have you noticed...in most movies/books where one love interest is ugly in the extreme...it's the guy? It's like saying that women must accept men no matter how ugly they are (not that that's bad) but men can love women only if they're beautiful!
Eg: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera etc.
ambereyes93 1 year ago
I'd like to read Vampire Kisses and Artemis Fowl !
preciousangel18 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I mean no personal offence here, but your knowledge of the world of publishing seems limited. As already stated, in order to get your foot in the door, you have to give agents and publishers what sells. The books you believe don't meet your standard are what sell, so publishers are printing them and people are reading them. Your tone is a little too condescending for an unpublished writer. All opinions are vaild but advice should come from experience.
Alitriona 2 years ago
I don't claim to have any allknowing view on publishing. This is just my opinion. I haven't published anything or put anything out to be published because I am waiting to put out something that I can be proud of.
Just because something sells doesn't always make it a superior piece of literature and anyone can see that, published or not.
I have spent most of my young life trying to become a better writer, so yeah, it does annoy me when people just become popular because of trend. I'm human.
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago 31
I agree with you that it is annoying to see books published and not be able to understand the appeal or see the reason it was picked over another work.
Publishing is about what sells, that is the bottom line. The big publishing houses and even the small ones are there to make money and sell books. Of course everyone wants to offer up work they can be proud of, but the fact remains that it is the trends and the formulas that sell and it's better to incorporate and improve than avoid.
Alitriona 2 years ago
P.S. One more thing. I'm still not finished w/your vid but half done & i've noticed that FANTASY seems to be the target of your video here. You also said something along the lines of the simple plots, ect are b.s. that's being published. Why not VEER outside of your chosen GENRE and not just rely on fantasy? There are amazing books out there that aren't fantasy. So instead of blaming all books, look around. Try "Into The Wild" I forgot the author' name but it's a solid read & NOT FANTASY:)
808Lana 2 years ago
I'm not blaming all books and I focus on Fantasy because thats what I want to write for myself. YA Fantasy/Horror
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
MELINApendulum, thank you for responding before. You know, i think there is a reason why so many books have that same formula you've complained about. I don't think it's an accident. It's cool to go against the grain and all but if I were you I'd try to give literary agents/editors/publishers what they want to increase my chances of being published & getting a foot in the door. After you're published you write "other" stuff you wanted to do all along, but you've got to get IN first, you know?
808Lana 2 years ago
I'm not finished watching the whole vid yet, and thank you so much for posting this! Much appreciated. However, you know when a writer has to take a single idea or plot for a story & then turn that into a full 300-400 page book, it's really tricky. Maybe what you've described as "over detail" may be page-fillers. It stretches out the book a little more. It's hard for publishers to charge $30 for a hardback book that's 150 pages as opposed to a 400 page book. So it's a tricky task 4 the writers.
808Lana 2 years ago
at number 9 the text that came up said "focing ideas" I was wondering that the hell "focing" was until you said "force" hehe.
inventiveinsanity 2 years ago
your write about them repeating the discription in ShadowLand (3rd book in immortal series xD) Ever reapeats OVER AND OVER the words "MY BEAUTIFUL BOYFRIEND" and she says it about millions of more times and i feel like telling her WE GET UR BF IS BEAUTIFUL SHUT UP ALREADY lol
GerFraMikRayBob 2 years ago
i love libba brey. I am on the first book
amethset 2 years ago
You got some interesting points and i really liked the vid alot. Except for one little thing: When you change between the pictures this fast it really strains my eyes and gives me sort of a headache. But apart from that i loved the vid
JanoSeishu420 2 years ago 4
same
Razputin53 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
ew this is so stupid
scnsoccer24 2 years ago
thank you.
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
I really appreciate your videos; they are astonishing, especially considering your age. You raised a lot of interesting arguments that have left me with some serious food for thought.
Vikiinduku 2 years ago 29
OMG MELINA. 2:40 - that's like, one of my most favorite books ever.
SilhouetteSymphonies 2 years ago
lol, I write and I admit that at the beginning of my stories, i'm descriptive about clothing and places but after i get the character appearances out the way, I'm straight to the point. and after I'm done describing them in details I'm just like you know what the f*ck they look like!
AutumnTwilight06 2 years ago
Ah, the Lovely Bones was amazing...it was an UHMAZIN BUUK!!!
And vampire kisses was good, too; you have great taste
whitewolfalicara 2 years ago
In regards to #6, I think it's impossible to do that for all characters. It would be tiresome to flesh out minor characters, and a waste of time. That's when a stereotype works. Never, EVER with a main character, but there are always exceptions to the rules, and I think minor characters being stereotypical is the exception.
LilMissPoison 2 years ago
I agree with you
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
I think it's totally possible. You don't need to flesh out minor characters because they wouldn't really be minor anymore. Minor characters tend to be flat anyway so there's not much need for development. Just pick a few personality traits that will serve the purpose of the plot and you're pretty good to go. At least, that is my trick. I don't think stereotypes should be used, period. Personally, I would think the writer lack both originality and creativity if they had to resort to stereotypes.
CeruleanG 2 years ago
I read this book by Meg Cabot, Airhead. So, what really bothered me was when the main character Em kept on telling the readers how she was soooo in love with her best friend. It's like, okay, Em, we get it you're in teenage love with him! You don't have to tell us that each time you talk about Christopher! It's like she thinks we're going to forget. Reminds me of Meyer a little bit.
Nara2234 2 years ago 3
The Lovely Bones!! Now that's one hella good book!
blkeydfu8er 2 years ago 2
I agree with you completely on the over details thing. Less is more.
justgoaway111 2 years ago
Wow I love your taste in books.
Aoife379 2 years ago
w00t! Artemis Fowl for the win!
UrbanDecae81 2 years ago
Ooo, I liked this :D Pretty much everything that keeps annoying me about books and stories lately... Overdescription bores me no end.
rayuk666 2 years ago
Nightmares are more fun to write about anyway. Especially when you're doing it from the antagonist's point of view.
DarkKendall 2 years ago
I hated Vampire Kisses. It made my head hurt so much. GAH!
Oh yeah, is it alright to describe someone again if I kill them off within a couple chapters of introduction?
It's not really much of a description though....but still.
~Kendall
DarkKendall 2 years ago
Sure, since post-death look and pre-death look is very different
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
Thanks for the tips. This will help with what I'm writting right now
SarahLoGirl 2 years ago
I HATED VAMPIRE KISSES
so just urgha
SoILoveCheese2011 2 years ago
lol.
Its a guilty pleasure. I don't think its that good, but it entertains me
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
lol It's just some of those books that i can't read without rolling my eyes. To each there own.
SoILoveCheese2011 2 years ago
Over-description may not be your style, but unless it isn't too, too overdone, it isn't that bad.
Kirokii 2 years ago
There are levels of over-description. A paragraph or a little bit more is fine. Pages about leaves and clothing and physical appearance is too much. Especially when it is repeated.
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
I agree with Kirokii, it's a matter of what you prefer. Some prefer Faulkner some prefer Hemingway and some like both.
Bartelsen 2 years ago
Personal fantasies, I know what book that is.
estur 2 years ago 2
The nightmare bit made me laugh, Kudos.
BelugaCult 2 years ago
I didn't think Artemis Fowl had that bad of a plot. He didn't really get everything, at least not in the first book...
sparrowhawkspupil 2 years ago
lol. The books that are shown are books that I like
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
I really want to do a book about aliens, and one about vampies (proper ones, not sparkly ones)
hermeeown 2 years ago
Amen! 8D
BearGirl26 2 years ago
I think in books like AGATB it's overdescriptive because of timeline. Then things like clothes and appearances were the most important thing in women, so the characters viewpoint may react like that.
I think the 'average girl' thing is used a lot because authors want there characters to relate to the reader in some way. Yes, it's used a lot but that's a good way to open a good story with an average girl who falls into an extraordinary life. It sometimes makes the story all the more interesting.
kabbybooks 2 years ago
Well I like AGATB. The books in the pictures are books I like ^_^
Also the key word is sometimes. Sometimes it does work. Sometimes it really doesn't, mostly because they don't make the girl average, they just CALL her average ^^
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
Hard for me but i actually agree with youu you are sooo right!!
ItsCarolinaOverHere 2 years ago
Over-description is what ruined the Vampire Chronicles for me. I mean, Anne Rice has good ideas, but her massive ego prevents her from getting an editor. So instead of finishing the books in two day incriments, I spent three months trying to get through ONE books, because she kept describing how great New Orleans and Paris was, or just writing two pages of something that didn't really make sense. I just got bored and did something else, then came back to the book awhile later. Time consuming.
thespiritmage 2 years ago 2
I know what you mean. I LOVE her work but it always seems like the first half is dragged on.
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
Oh yes. She's awesome once she gets to the point, but she is VERY pedantic.
DHMunroe 2 years ago
I disagree, I always loved her descriptions. And keep in mind the worlds she creates are very lush and sensual so I think her prose suits the story she is attempting to tell.
TheManeatingchicken 2 years ago
*Doesn't consider self to be dumb, shallow, vain blonde* :D
Littlelindarose 2 years ago 2
when i write horror, I go camping. The dark woods scare the crap out of me D:
IamJACKsYTpage 2 years ago
AND for the sake of argument (since that is what i do best)...i think i will post up a video response to all of these
redatpct 2 years ago
Argument?
T.T
-hides-
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
are the book covers you posted your example of culprits of your list of fallacies?
redatpct 2 years ago
oh heck no. Those are all books that I enjoy ^_^.
How could I put 1984 as a bad book?
-hugs 1984-
^^
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
OH GIRL! Ok, because I was about to say....NO YOU DIDN'T! I LOVE the Lovely Bones to death. Can't wait for the movie (Rachel Weisz, and Saoirse Ronan or two of my FAV actors [not to mention Susan Sarandon]).
redatpct 2 years ago
Oh I love the Lovely Bones its one of the best books written this decade^^
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
While I agree with your points, I was confused on the whole "writing your nightmares" statement. What makes your fantasies more self-indulgent then your nightmares? Personally, I feel really good writing does not try and push either one of them, but 1) uses both in equal amounts, or 2) does not try and push either of them, and retains ambiguity. Because if you are only pushing your fears and nightmares, then in the end, it's still you writing for/about you and your personal problems.
moonyschick25 2 years ago
Well, with the whole nightmares thing it was kind of a joke.
But, in seriousness, I wouldn't suggest writing your nightmares, but I will say that it is more safe to write something that makes you happy than scared.
To write something scary, you have to look in the darkness around and inside of you. It takes alot more searching to find the root of fear imo.
MelinaPendulum 2 years ago
YAY SYMBOLISM!
I keep these things in mind so I don't go overboard.
laurariddle292 2 years ago
Wow, if I'm ever in need for a reality check while writing my fanfiction (and hopefully one day an actual novel) I'll race back to this video. As for nightmares, I love those. Reading and writing about them. The world really needs more nightmarish books to get them off their fantasyland cloud.
ForeverACharmedOne 2 years ago
I really agree on the nightmare thing so much. Everything seems much more intersting, and possibly more deep if the author does it well. Good video.
HellDevil75 2 years ago