My journey into audio books has, for the most part, been a really good one. However, one thing I learned with my recent audio book purchase is that mistakes seem to stand out more. This book that I am listening to now is written by a big name, well paid author, and I am just shocked at the blatant issues going on with this book. One of the things I love about audio books is I don’t usually think about the writing or craft. I just escape and enjoy, especially with a great audio reader who keeps me entertained. So for this book to jerk me out of the story so many times, is surprising. It’s a first. And it’s not just that the hero smokes, which is a problem for me. And it’s not even the plot issues that make the heroine look silly for putting herself in danger over and over. What is getting to me with this story are the little things so easily fixed with an editorial pen. Repeat words, phrases, descriptions that go on and on as do internal thoughts. Did I mention little things easily caught and fixed that weren’t? An example: He undressed her– she was asleep after being at the hospital and pretty much a zombie. Okay fine. She didn’t wake up. She had on white pants and light yellow shirt. This is the problem. He notes that she has on RED panties and a red bra. I don’t know any woman who would wear RED panties under white jeans!
Another example: The hero talks about being thinner now than he used to be because of a trauma he experienced but then comments about how he eats this big breakfast every morning since moving to this small town and he use to just have coffee. And he’s always eating. ALWAYS. But he has lost lots of weight. Again, not a grand hero trait either.
These are things that I cannot imagine any of the fabulous editors I have worked with ever letting me get away with and listing to this book, I wanted to send them all a ‘thank you’ for that. Oddly, I’ve read this author, and loved this author’s story, many times. So that makes me ask –what is the difference in this book and the other books? A new editor? No editor? At what point, does an editor stop feeling they can edit an authors books? Is there a dollar figure or a personality of an established author?
It gives me some added appreciation for the little fixes I am always amazed an editor sees that we authors miss because we have become too close to the project. Because we have read and read the project, and even our critique buds, have read and read, to the point none of us can SEE the issues. No one is above needing that nurturing editorial hand, that when done right, develops rather than suppresses, talent. After all, the idea is to put out the best book possible for our readers.
All this said, I listen on to this book….I’ll report back on the end of the book next week. I have several other audio book I’ve purchased on my I-pod, waiting for a listen. Acheron and the first book of the new Fallen Angels series by JR WARD. If anyone recommends one over the other, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Lisa
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