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As a reader do you hate it when...
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I never gave it any thought until you asked--it's OK with me.
Gee, I never really thought about it. Interesting though
Among writers there seems to be an anti-suddenly movement. As both a reader and writer, I've never considered it an issue. Then again, I use the word sparingly. As readers, we have such a wide taste in what we find good writing.
Not something that has ever bothered me :-)
My thoughtsSuddenly is a response to an action.
I prefer writing the action and let the reader decide it happened "suddenly."
J.B. wrote: "My thoughtsSuddenly is a response to an action.
I prefer writing the action and let the reader decide it happened "suddenly.""
I agree, JB. In other forms of writing it may work well but when telling a story, the author should write the action in such a way that the reader thinks "this happened suddenly." I do have to admit that I haven't really ever thought about it before. I've seen lots of writers use the word ... i.e., "he suddenly came out of the woods ..." type of thing. But it would probably always be better that "he bolted, he charged, he lunged" ... it implies suddenly and feels stronger.
Pamela wrote: "J.B. wrote: "My thoughtsSuddenly is a response to an action.
I prefer writing the action and let the reader decide it happened "suddenly.""
I agree, JB. In other forms of writing it may work well..."
I totally agree
Pamela wrote: "J.B. wrote: "My thoughtsSuddenly is a response to an action.
I prefer writing the action and let the reader decide it happened "suddenly.""
I agree, JB. In other forms of writing it may work well..."
I agree for the most part. "Suddenly" can be and often is used as a crutch. But then again, there are times (infrequent as they may be) when it is just the appropriate adverb to use. It would bother me just as much to see a writer uncomfortably wedge some other word into a sentence where "suddenly" is the natural fit.
Like any word, 'suddenly' has it's place in writing. It's only when it's over-used that it becomes annoying.
Or the word "literally" especially when it isn't literal.
Other problems with suddenly:1. if the action really is "sudden" then it's probably unearned. Suspense is more satisfying than true surprise.
2. If It really is a surprise, it should be a surprise on its own merit. If the writer feels the need to include "suddenly" its a sign of insecurity, forcing the surprise.
"The door banged open" indicates surprise.
"Suddenly, the door banged open." Indicates the author really hopes this is a surprise.
I agree. The word suddenly takes away from the rule "show the reader instead of telling"
.... when the detective is damaged and a drunk and yet manages to solve the crime.
Not as much as the miss-use of the word 'literally' that drives me figuratively insane.
More than a specific word overused or misused, I hate continuity errors. One morning a character's car is in the shop for major repairs, that afternoon he's driving it. A secondary or minor character is named Annie when introduced to the reader, the next chapter she's Emma. A character puts a mug of tea on the table yet drinks from a cup. Drives me crazy.
I guess I don't hate it because I can honestly say I've never noticed it. But I do hate when authors try to use synonyms or word substitutes. For me, it causes a break in the flow of writing. I'm a "he said" over "he hissed" kind of girl lol.
Technically, you can't "hiss" words, or "laugh" words. That is an action (a sentence, not an attribution). You get the idea. And, you're right. Obvious use of synonyms is distracting, perplexing, diverting, flustering, disturbing….etc, etc.
I hate it when I find misspellings in the book. WTH?
I read a book that said, "suddenly, without warning, he removed his hat." There were no monsters under his hat. He just took it off lol.I hate it when writers use the same outline for every book.
Good one….or should I say "bad one." Repetition, too. Suddenly is generally without warning.
Denise wrote: "I guess I don't hate it because I can honestly say I've never noticed it. But I do hate when authors try to use synonyms or word substitutes. For me, it causes a break in the flow of writing. I'm a..."In general, I agree. Words like 'intoned,' 'chimed in,' and 'stated' make me think the writing is very outdated or the writer is a thesaurus addict.
On the other hand, while I try to stick with 'said' in my own writing, there are times when synonyms like 'shouted, 'whispered, ' or 'bellowed' are the only way to convey how the person is speaking.
In your writing. Instead of giving the attribution (he said). End the dialogue and give an action. Instead of... "Dialogue," Jim said as he clenched his fists and left the room….try this..."Dialogue." Jim clenched his fists and left the room.
I do that sometimes, too, and it can be an effective way to indicate how the line was spoken. But sometimes "Dialog," she whispered. is the best way to do it.In my current WIP, I have a man come up to my MC and sees he's been shot. Here's the next line:
He tugs my shirt up. “Shit! Madge!” he barks. “Bring the first aid kit! And a flashlight!”
Uh…a character "barks" orders. Maybe…."Shit, Madge! Bring the the first aid kit!" he barks. "And a flashlight!"
No offense but not a fan of "barks"....
Some people bark commands. It works for me.
One of the books I recently read irritated me by constantly switching between the first and third person.
Mike wrote: "One of the books I recently read irritated me by constantly switching between the first and third person."Inconsistent and confusing!
Yes and I also hate how some books are just so predictable
I am not fond of books that are written in first person although I know some very good books that are. The other thing I don't particularly like are books, especially mysteries, written in present tense.
I hate it when I am interrupted during reading Just as I am getting to a good part
Sherry wrote: "Mike wrote: "One of the books I recently read irritated me by constantly switching between the first and third person."Inconsistent and confusing!"
I can understand why it was done, the first person was for the main character and the third for all the others but it would have been better written entirely in the third person. Well that's my opinion about it anyhow.
Let's clarify…if written in first person, the "I" character can't know what another character is thinking or feeling. The first person can only look at reactions and listen to dialogue. If the writer switches back and forth, it's time to close the book and pick up another.My peeve? Lack of continuity as in the age of the character. Missy is 6 yrs old at the start. A few months go by and she's 8? Really?
The word "suddenly" does not bother me.
It seems to me that using the word "suddenly" falls into the unloved category of telling rather than showing.
I think it depends. The word can certainly serve a purpose - and I hate it when authors tie themselves in knots to avoid a particular word or phrase - but it can usually be replaced with a better term. Honestly though, as long as "suddenly" doesn't devolve into one of an author's writing tics, I don't mind it.
Far too much unneeded narration and not enough dialogue
Far too much dialogue and not enough narration can be almost as bad. There should be a happy medium. I guess that's why I tend to stick to non-fiction with mysteries added into the reading mix.
Lack of continuity or loose strings that are never tied up. Lack of continuity is usually a problem of poor editing, but the laying out of important clues (whether these are red herrings or not) and then not indicating by the end of the novel how these tie into the events/theme/solution are disturbing to readers. I like it when an author has a satisfying twist at the end that also brings all the loose strings together.
The incorrect use of literally drives me figuratively insane.
M.A.R. wrote: "More than a specific word overused or misused, I hate continuity errors. One morning a character's car is in the shop for major repairs, that afternoon he's driving it. A secondary or minor charact..."That bothers me, too. I read a novel where the character's age changed about three times (when it shouldn't have changed at all) and it broke the narrative unity and believability for me.
I am annoyed by the killer / villain / mole being revealed to me, the reader before the main characters have worked it out. I like to experience the logical progression of discovery along with them.
How do you feel about 'suddenly'?