We saw BOUNTY HUNTER on Friday night. It was okay, I was amused in some places. I didn’t think it was as good as THE PROPOSAL.
I’ve been starting books and putting then aside, and starting another one. Every once in a while I’ll go through this faze. Then I found an older book copyright 1987. It was in a pile my sister had given me. I read half way through it when the hero said:
“Damn it Clara! Grab the rope! You stupid bitch!”
And I was done. Immediately DNF (Did Not Finish). When the hero says that to the heroine in a time of danger, I’m done. Danger is when all pretense is stripped away and we see the Real Person. I didn’t like the Real Person this hero turned out to be. I knew then that I’d never like him. I’m hoping Clara grabs the freaking rope, wraps it around the hero’s neck and pulls tight. But that could just be me. We all have those personal buttons that trips our DNF switch.
And in other news, there has been a tiny crack in Wizard’s Anti-Dog Armor. We actually went to the animal shelter on Saturday! We were there about 20 minutes, just looking. As soon as we walked into the puppy/small dog section, Wizard said, “Jen! This isn’t fair!” LOLOL!!! But this is just a first step, and Wizard could reinforce his Anti-Dog Armor at anytime. I’ll keep you up to date!
What about you guys? How was your weekend? What trips your DNF switch on reading?
March 29th, 2010 at 7:48 am · Link
Hi Jen,
Read your rant over at Murder She Writes. Good post.
My weekend was quiet and I finally bought a table lamp. I’m still working on the quilt, finishing the binding.
I can see you slowing gaining some grounds on the Wizard. Good for you.
What cause me to DNF a book is when I start skipping pages then chapter and that’s when I know it’s time to close the book.
March 29th, 2010 at 8:11 am · Link
Lately, I’ve been doing the same thing, Jen – starting books and putting them down. Not that there have been any glaring reasons. (I can’t believe a writer would have the hero say that to the heroine. WTF?) The stories just didn’t grab me enough in the first pages. For me to put down a book after I’ve already invested time? If the MCs are rude to each other like that, it’s DNF. BDSM is another, but that ties into the MCs being rude to each other. IRL, I believe if you love someone, you shouldn’t want to hurt them, or be mean to them, or even get verbally abusive. So, I don’t want to read it in fiction either. Don’t get me wrong – everything doesn’t have to be fluffy bunnies and daisies, but there ought to be a line.
Sorry. My turn to rant. I guess I’m still steaming after my comment on MSW. The weekend here was good. I finished my third draft, and now I’m wondering what to work on next. I also read Monica McCarty’s The Chief. She nailed it – of course. =o)
March 29th, 2010 at 8:37 am · Link
Didn’t really have anytime to read this weekend, had a baby shower on Saturday then went out with hubby, and Sunday I forced myself to actually be productive. Did my version of spring cleaning on the downstairs and bathroom, spent all day at it. I don’t go as far as my mom does, but house looks pretty darn good right now. At least until the kids get home later, lol. Still have the bedroom to do, sons didn’t get far, but daughter got hers all done. Will have to find a reward for that.
When it comes to reading books the author better grab my attention in the first couple chapters, if not I don’t waste my time, have way to many other books on my TBR pile that are calling my name to force myself to finish one that doesn’t interest me. If I make it that far I very rarely find anything that makes me put the book down.
However, I do agree that hero’s should not be jerks. A commanding/dominate presence is not a bad thing if done right, in fact it can be a very hot character trait, but it should never cross the line into downright nastiness.
March 29th, 2010 at 9:00 am · Link
It doesn’t surprise me a book dated 1987 would say that. I think, for some insane reason, it was ok then. Not in my world! I would have done the same thing, Jen. I’ve been having the same problem reading. I pick up one, read a few chapters and don’t have any inclination to pick it up again. I don’t know why. Learning to write has really stymied my reading.
I’m reading for our chapter published contest right now and I just can’t seem to get into them. They’re not bad, but I can’t lose myself in the story.
I think the key is for the author to get me emotionally invested in the character. Make me care. And the rest is gravy.
ooooo…We’ll get to the Wizard eventually! Haha He cannot resist the spells us witches have placed on him. *smiles* You’ll get your puppy yet, Jen!
March 29th, 2010 at 9:43 am · Link
It’s been a long time since I DNF a book because of a trigger. I didn’t finish The Scarpetta Factor, but it was boring and long winded and well, it just kinda stunk. Which made me sad, cuz I like the Scarpetta books.
If someone called me a “stupid bitch” they had better be ready to be bitch slapped. I hope they were standing on a cliff and she pushed him off. Moron. ANYWAY, off to MSW to read your post.
P.S. Glad to hear the Wizard is cracking.
March 29th, 2010 at 11:01 am · Link
Wow. The word “bitch” made it into a 1987 romance? Of course, I’d quit reading romances by that time and the books I was reading had all sorts of curse words. I’m not sure I’d have thrown the book at that point. Was she a stupid bitch? TSTL was still part of the formula in some books. I probably wouldn’t have picked up the book to begin with. I guess those are my triggers: a heroine TSTL and a hero who forces things on a heroine “for her own good.”
Keep sending pictures to the Wizard. We’re all stirring the cauldron, working on that spell! And if he’s worried about training/housebreaking, get an older dog. Rescues make incredible pets!
March 29th, 2010 at 11:50 am · Link
Dru, thanks on the MSWs post
I do that too…skip pages and realize I’ve completely lost interest in the book.
Congrats on getting the table lamp! It takes me forever (years) to do that stuff. I’m so not a shopper.
March 29th, 2010 at 11:53 am · Link
B.e., most of the books I’m putting down are the same, no real reason, I just am not interested.
But this book got on my bad side. That doesn’t happen a whole lot. It’s all about how the character is motivated, and I couldn’t see it here. It just came across mean.
Sorry to steam you up on MSW!
If you finished the third draft, you’re done with that book, right? I mean that’s awesome! But I know that feeling of being at loose ends.
March 29th, 2010 at 11:56 am · Link
Val, now you’re making me feel guilty with your spring cleaning! I did wash some floors and cleaned all the doors in the house, but there’s much more to do.
I have no problem with Alpha. Axel in Blood Magic carried Alpha right to the line. He was meanish…but by half way through the book, I’d want to see some change in the character.
March 29th, 2010 at 11:59 am · Link
Ashlynn, we do read differently after become writers. No doubt about it.
Contest entries vary so wildly! I’ll read one that is so bad I wonder if it’s a joke entry, then the next one blows me away. It’s hard though when you get several bland entries.
Keep those puppy/dog spells coming!
March 29th, 2010 at 12:01 pm · Link
Erika, I stopped reading Scarpetta a long time ago, but I think it was just me.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed with Wizard!
March 29th, 2010 at 12:05 pm · Link
Silver, it was sort of a Romancing the Stone plot, where the heroine is caught up in something totally foreign to her. Curse words don’t bother me, it was the context. But it’s just a personal trigger.
Poor wizard. I heard him mutter this weekend, “She knows I’ll give her what she wants.” True
But I want it to be a dog we both want. I don’t care if it’s not a puppy, just a dog that appeals to us both.
March 29th, 2010 at 2:50 pm · Link
Hmmm, personally I really hate the ‘tougher than she has to be’ chick. I just find it soooo annoying. Yes, women should be empowered now, not doormats for men to wipe their feet on but sometimes it’s just ridiculous. Tried to think of an example when I posted this over on my site the other day but alas, I’m still at a loss.
Best of luck with the wizard. I say you put a doggie charm under his pillow!!!
March 29th, 2010 at 5:17 pm · Link
It still needs some cleaning, Jen. This one is probably going to be a 4 drafter before my betas even get their hands on it. :shrug: And don’t worry about getting me steamed up. If nothing else, a good rant gets the blood pumpin’. ;o)
March 29th, 2010 at 10:26 pm · Link
Okay, day late… dollar short! Story of my life. EDJ kept me at bay today!
This weekend…. Friday I worked till 5, then went grocery shopping till 9. Saturday at the first EDJ (evil day job) till 12, then went to the second EDJ from 2 till 10. Then Sunday, a friend came over for me to do their resume from 12 till 4, then I attempted to do my own taxes from 4 till 10.. I gave up!
And now I will try to go get some shut eye before 11 tonight!
See Jen, I told you my spells are working…. slowly.. very slowly.. but surely.. The turtle won the race, not with speed but with determination!!! ha! That was a good little speech!
Hope you all had a great day!