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Readers' consent
I was following up on some e-publishing wank last night (here if you're interested), and in the process ran across this really interesting article-about-an-article, on the idea of readers' consent. This is basically a theory that tries to explain why some plots work for some readers but not for others:
Source: Dear Author: The Reader and Consent (09/21/10)
This has happened with me, not only from a reading perspective, but from a writing one. I was shocked when, halfway through Fleeting, about half the audience became outraged at a turn of events that was essential to moving forward the plot of the story. When I wrote that installment, I was aware that it might be a surprise to some readers (or maybe even a bit unbelievable), but I was nowhere near prepared to handle the visceral reaction quite a few reviewers had to it. I'd touched a nerve in a *huge* way, and it was obvious I'd brought those readers out of the story, perhaps so much so that they'd stop reading it entirely. This bothered me, a lot, but it also kinda fascinated me - and now this idea of readers needing to consent - or, at least, buy - to the actions presented in the plot help me make sense of it, and learn from it.
I'd definitely urge you guys to read the entire article (yes, it's posted at a romance blog, but it's not limited to romantic or sexual interactions). Has this ever happened to you? Does it explain why there are popular stories/series/movies that others seem to adore but you just don't get (or vice versa)? Discussion, as always, is welcome =)
Ever put down a book? Why? Sometimes it is because the story is boring but sometimes it is because there is something in the story that bothered you.
This happened to me recently when I was reading a book the other day. The hero declared (to another person) that he was in love with the heroine and I put the book down, metaphorically speaking. I wasn’t ready to go there with the hero. The author hadn’t prepared me well enough for that scene to happen and thus I wasn’t satisfied with the direction of the story.
Source: Dear Author: The Reader and Consent (09/21/10)
This has happened with me, not only from a reading perspective, but from a writing one. I was shocked when, halfway through Fleeting, about half the audience became outraged at a turn of events that was essential to moving forward the plot of the story. When I wrote that installment, I was aware that it might be a surprise to some readers (or maybe even a bit unbelievable), but I was nowhere near prepared to handle the visceral reaction quite a few reviewers had to it. I'd touched a nerve in a *huge* way, and it was obvious I'd brought those readers out of the story, perhaps so much so that they'd stop reading it entirely. This bothered me, a lot, but it also kinda fascinated me - and now this idea of readers needing to consent - or, at least, buy - to the actions presented in the plot help me make sense of it, and learn from it.
I'd definitely urge you guys to read the entire article (yes, it's posted at a romance blog, but it's not limited to romantic or sexual interactions). Has this ever happened to you? Does it explain why there are popular stories/series/movies that others seem to adore but you just don't get (or vice versa)? Discussion, as always, is welcome =)
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