FREE/BARGAIN - Romance + Discussion - 2016

[library addict]

Originally Posted by Blossom

My big question is what happened? Is there any other authors who latest work shows they are losing their ability to tell a good story?

For me, Sharon Sala and Linda Howard. Loved many of their earlier books, but gave up on each of them a few years back. I also gave up on Rachel Lee (particularly her Conard County series).



Some of Nora Roberts plots seem recycled, but she still has the ability to keep me reading. Same with Jayne Ann Krentz. Their more recent books may not be at the level of their 90s/early 00s works, but I still enjoy them and they remain autobuys.

[Hemmi]

I was excited when I downloaded the Harlequin app but it's totally useless. Can't sign into your account on it or anything. It has a Wish List button but it doesn't work. I don't know why they have an app at all, it's just for advertising.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

For me, Sharon Sala and Linda Howard. Loved many of their earlier books, but gave up on each of them a few years back. I also gave up on Rachel Lee (particularly her Conard County series).



Some of Nora Roberts plots seem recycled, but she still has the ability to keep me reading. Same with Jayne Ann Krentz. Their more recent books may not be at the level of their 90s/early 00s works, but I still enjoy them and they remain autobuys.

Without sounding harsh I just don't know how else to express it any other way but it's like several very talented authors have dumb down their writing to grade school level. What I once considered three dimensional has become 2-D. Does that make sense? The writing is simple and slang is more and more common even in historicals. The thing is I don't know if they are not realizing it or doing it on purpose. I hate to think it was just laziness. Again not trying to be harsh just very concerned as I compare their work.

Sent from my XT1528

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Blossom

What I once considered three dimensional has become 2-D. Does that make sense? The writing is simple and slang is more and more common even in historicals. The thing is I don't know if they are not realizing it or doing it on purpose. I hate to think it was just laziness.

I say it's poor editing. One of the reasons you have an editor is to have someone who looks for things like that and calls you on your BS when you stop putting in effort.

[library addict]

I agree it sounds like the editing. A lot of authors seem to think editing is only about spelling and grammar. But a good content editor and developmental editor can really make a story so much better.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by library addict

A lot of authors seem to think editing is only about spelling and grammar.

That's only a problem if the editor agrees with them. Or the editor's boss, as it were.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

I say it's poor editing. One of the reasons you have an editor is to have someone who looks for things like that and calls you on your BS when you stop putting in effort.

Do you think it could be that younger editors coming on scene are from a generation where they know no better language because of the mangled mess the last two generations have made of the English language? I blame chat speak and what is being allowed in some schools like the grade system at my hubby's college was a joke.

Originally Posted by library addict

I agree it sounds like the editing. A lot of authors seem to think editing is only about spelling and grammar. But a good content editor and developmental editor can really make a story so much better.

I totally agree with you. A good editor is everything.


Sent from my Nexus 7

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Do you think it could be that younger editors coming on scene are from a generation where they know no better language because of the mangled mess the last two generations have made of the English language? I blame chat speak and what is being allowed in some schools like the grade system at my hubby's college was a joke.

As someone who considers herself a part of the chat and slang generation, I disagree that the language has become a mangled mess. It has changed, yes, but living languages tend to do that. compared to Jane Austen, our version of the language is positively barbaric. The problem is that someone unlucky enough to go to a bad school, that doesn't focus on grammar, spelling, and reading the classics, won't learn the formal side of English. These unfortunate individuals know a partial language, not a mangled one.

That still doesn't mean they should be allowed to work as editors, of course. Or technical writers, content authors, or journalists.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

As someone who considers herself a part of the chat and slang generation, I disagree that the language has become a mangled mess. It has changed, yes, but living languages tend to do that. compared to Jane Austen, our version of the language is positively barbaric. The problem is that someone unlucky enough to go to a bad school, that doesn't focus on grammar, spelling, and reading the classics, won't learn the formal side of English. These unfortunate individuals know a partial language, not a mangled one.

That still doesn't mean they should be allowed to work as editors, of course. Or technical writers, content authors, or journalists.

What is happening is partial language is becoming acceptable everywhere. It is very common so some of those who were taught the proper way are adapting. It is very scary to see it happening.

Sent from my Nexus 7

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Blossom

What is happening is partial language is becoming acceptable everywhere. It is very common so some of those who were taught the proper way are adapting. It is very scary to see it happening.

It's inconvenient. And I think that depends on where you look. More and more jobs outside of outright manufacturing requires employees to do a lot of emailing with colleagues, and sometimes that's their only way of communicating. A person who knows only the partial chat/twitter version of modern written language, either learns quickly, or never gets the job in the first place.

It is highly annoying with it finds its way into novels though. Naive and demanding as I am, I expect professional writers to know how to use several different forms of written language, since that's their livelihood.

But since I insist in reading almost only free and self-published in this particular genre, I set myself up for perpetual disappointment.

[Amy_k]

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[Froide]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Without sounding harsh I just don't know how else to express it any other way but it's like several very talented authors have dumb down their writing to grade school level. What I once considered three dimensional has become 2-D. Does that make sense? The writing is simple and slang is more and more common even in historicals. The thing is I don't know if they are not realizing it or doing it on purpose. I hate to think it was just laziness. Again not trying to be harsh just very concerned as I compare their work.

Sent from my XT1528

I think some writers (and their editors) who do this are doing so deliberately, in a response to market trends, to appeal to or broaden their target audiences.

[copyrite]

That Old School Romance group is apparently two years old, judging by how long some of the members have been there. Lots of authors in the group, too. Notifications will most definitely stay OFF for me. Busy busy busy... but quite a fun read even if you don't read along! Quite evil though with all the recs.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Froide

I think some writers (and their editors) who do this are doing so deliberately, in a response to market trends, to appeal to or broaden their target audiences.

Ah yes. This too.

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by worktolive

Speaking of Regencies, here's a free Regency with some fantasy elements that looks really interesting:

Miss Landon and Aubranael by Charlotte E. English

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FK1WBU6/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FK1WBU6/
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FK1WBU6/