Quote:
Originally Posted by xendula
...When I read fantasy, I try to skim the fighting scenes, if there are any, because I could care less about what weapon was used on whom or what - I just need to know who survived in the end. I usually care about the rest of the story, just don't need detailed fighting scenes.
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Heh - yep! I do exactly that with so many novels - the fight scenes or love scenes or travel descriptions go on and on, and unless they are especially skilled as authors, it's just the same old stuff you see in books and movies over and over. Nothing interesting.
Or maybe they get devoted to long passages for a subplot that I just don't enjoy. Or just get bogged down in the middle parts where nothing is happening.
Skimming becomes the only reason I don't just put the book down and start another!
A very rare set of books, however, grab my attention not just in terms of wanting to know what is going to happen next, but delighting in every sentence. Sometimes the words are just a joy to read, and every moment is fun. I wish I could find more books like that, which also have a strong overall plot.
Usually, it seems an author either gives you either a great plot or exceptionally beautiful writing, but not both.
And, you know, I think this is also what tompe was getting at. If the writing is beautiful, it's not about the plot and what happens next - it's also about enjoying the word journey and the experience.