Quote:
Originally Posted by jaxx6166
David Farland calls what you guys are talking about "resonance"
If you're friendly enough and actually try to be a part of a community, I've been more apt to purchase someone's book, CD, or independent film.
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Well, 'resonance' is certainly a kinder way of saying 'formulaic' or 'copycat' and the basic psychology at work here is pretty obvious. But not all readers look for stuff they read before. I sure don't. But maybe I'm just weird.
I can't tell you how many times I've picked up some very popular epic fantasies (indie and otherwise), start reading the initial pages and experience that sort of deja vu that happens you see a character described the same way a hundred other characters have been described, and that's that. I can't read any further, no matter how much the reviews rave. That's not resonance I'm experiencing when that happens, its more like nausea.
What excites me are situations and experiences I've never witnessed before.
Same thing goes with regard to buying books from "friendly people." Friendliness is not necessarily a sign that someone is a particularly good or interesting writer. I find extreme personalities more intrguing and am quite likely to check someone's book out if they seem eccentric.
To end with a disgusting cliche, I suppose, there's more than one way to skin a cat.