I'm in the middle of reading a series. I planned to go to the library today and check out the rest of it. There was a flaw with this plan, though: someone else checked the books out. Which promptly sent my mood spiraling down into the depths of despair.
It got me thinking, though, about how much our expectations affect the outcome. I expected to be able to check out the books. After all, I had all of the previous ones and people read series in order. Therefore no one else should have wanted those books when I wanted them. (Okay, yeah, there are a few issues with my logic, but it's been a long week.)
Most of the times when I've been upset, it hasn't been because something truly awful has happened, it's been because things didn't go according to my plans. Like kids throwing temper tantrums so we don't get out the door on time. Things like that.
A couple months ago, I picked up a book at the library. It was one I hadn't heard anything about, but I was completely amused by the premise and in the mood for something absurd and happy. The beginning perfectly matched that. The ending, though, was an overly emotional, slightly nauseating love story--the kind where their abusive childhoods are swallowed up in each other's love. Definitely not what I was expecting and it frustrated me. The premise of the story, as well as the beginning, promised me something lighthearted and funny. But the book did not deliver.
Okay, I'm probably a little harsh on the ending. But it was so far from my expectations that I ended up hating it. (Which is probably why it was pushed to the side and ended up with papers on top of it and so I didn't return it to the library and had to pay a fine. That didn't endear the book to me either.)
I guess what I'm saying is that we need to look at where we're going with our WIP and make sure that the beginning matches the end as far as expectations. Now I don't mean that everything should be predictable, but it should fall within the realm of possibility with the tone and set-up of the story. You never want your readers to say, "What? That doesn't make any sense!"
Well, I'm off to moan and mope away the weekend since I don't have my series to read. Is anyone else doing anything more exciting than that?
Now you have to tell us what the already-checked-out series is. Between these last two posts, I can't stand not knowing:)
ReplyDeleteKrista--This is a fairly normal state for me, unfortunately. But currently . . . remember my post about obsessions last week? Well, it turns out that the TV series of Fruits Basket was based off of the first 8 books (out of 23). So no ending. And I have to know how it ends.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know why I'm so caught up in these graphic novels. I think it's partly that I was in the mood for something completely different, but it still has the things I love--comedy, romance, family curses, and fascinating relationships. But I also admit to being crazy at times. Thanks for commenting!
I know what you mean about expectations. Sometimes I think the main reason I get frustrated or upset is because I'm expecting something (or some reaction) that is different than I want. (Probably b/c I'm not great at communicating.)
ReplyDeleteYou are right about expectations in a book--Though I'm not a fan of writing "rules", I've heard if a book has magic that needs to be established in the very first chapter, otherwise it'll throw the reader off when it shows up. Loved the blog post!
Heather--Thanks! I agree with establishing the magic in the first chapter. It's hard (at least for me) to feel grounded and care about the characters when I don't really know what's going on.
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