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WHY Did I Love (Hate) That Novel?
If you love reading and discussing fiction, this book is for you. Ever wonder why you respond to a novel in a certain way? You loved it. You hated it. Or somewhere in between. Maybe the story started slowly, then improved. Maybe it hooked you in the beginning, then lagged. Maybe the dialogue didn’t sound true to life. Or the characters seemed flat. Or maybe all these aspects were wonderful. Why? What fiction techniques did the author use or fail to use? WHY Did I Love (Hate) That Novel? explores four techniques used in writing page-turning fiction. These concepts are fun and fascinating, and will open your eyes to how a novel is created. They’re explained in an easy-to-understand way, with multiple examples. Once you’ve learned them, you’ll enjoy reading all the more. And, if you’re in a book club, you’ll be better equipped to discuss your opinions.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2016
9 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Brandilyn Collins
49 books638 followersBrandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 18, 2017
I liked this book a lot. It helps me to understand some of my feelings about the novels I read. Why do I like a novel. Why do I not like some others.
“...sometimes an author will write a well-crafted novel – and you still won't like it. Each of us responds to a story based on our past experience and our unique mix of likes and dislikes. For example, if a novel is a more serious read with lots of symbolism, if it makes you think, and you just want a quick read with lots of symbolism, if it makes you think, and you just want a quick read for some easy entertainment, you won't like the book. Or if you enjoy those “meatier” reads, you may find some novels too light for you. Nothing wrong with that. You are perfectly entitled to your opinion about any story, and your opinion is just as valid as anyone else's.” (location 88)
This book nails down the why to our dislike of certain novels. Sometimes books have unlikeable main characters or ones that are not strong. Some novels have weak inciting incident and we don't believe the main character is in real trouble.
Or there could be a problem with how the author depicts emotion in the character(s)...
“Novels that fully depict emotions will include scenes that bring out the varied components of each emotion.” (location 349) Emotions are never just one thing.
I like how the author uses the study of novels to help us in real life...
“...remembering this truth about anger – that it always arises from another emotion – can be very helpful in real life. If someone approaches you in anger, it's so easy to respond in kind. But if you can stop yourself, if you can remind yourself that the anger is springing from something else, you can respond in a way that just might diffuse it. What underlying emotion is causing that anger? Is if hurt? Bitterness? Disappointment? Self-defense? A sense of betrayal? Jealousy? Or something else? If you can discern that underlying emotion and respond to it in a way that dispels it, the anger will take care of itself.” (location 565)
I especially love the questions at the end of each chapter. They help me to think more deeply about the books I am reading. I want to type out the questions so I can use them to write better book reviews. Here is one question to give you an idea what the questions are like...
“1. Overall, did you just read this novel, or did you feel it?” (location 1082)
I am interested in her other book, “Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors” and I hope I can locate a copy for free from the library or on my Kindle.
No prompt for this book. Sad face.
“...sometimes an author will write a well-crafted novel – and you still won't like it. Each of us responds to a story based on our past experience and our unique mix of likes and dislikes. For example, if a novel is a more serious read with lots of symbolism, if it makes you think, and you just want a quick read with lots of symbolism, if it makes you think, and you just want a quick read for some easy entertainment, you won't like the book. Or if you enjoy those “meatier” reads, you may find some novels too light for you. Nothing wrong with that. You are perfectly entitled to your opinion about any story, and your opinion is just as valid as anyone else's.” (location 88)
This book nails down the why to our dislike of certain novels. Sometimes books have unlikeable main characters or ones that are not strong. Some novels have weak inciting incident and we don't believe the main character is in real trouble.
Or there could be a problem with how the author depicts emotion in the character(s)...
“Novels that fully depict emotions will include scenes that bring out the varied components of each emotion.” (location 349) Emotions are never just one thing.
I like how the author uses the study of novels to help us in real life...
“...remembering this truth about anger – that it always arises from another emotion – can be very helpful in real life. If someone approaches you in anger, it's so easy to respond in kind. But if you can stop yourself, if you can remind yourself that the anger is springing from something else, you can respond in a way that just might diffuse it. What underlying emotion is causing that anger? Is if hurt? Bitterness? Disappointment? Self-defense? A sense of betrayal? Jealousy? Or something else? If you can discern that underlying emotion and respond to it in a way that dispels it, the anger will take care of itself.” (location 565)
I especially love the questions at the end of each chapter. They help me to think more deeply about the books I am reading. I want to type out the questions so I can use them to write better book reviews. Here is one question to give you an idea what the questions are like...
“1. Overall, did you just read this novel, or did you feel it?” (location 1082)
I am interested in her other book, “Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors” and I hope I can locate a copy for free from the library or on my Kindle.
No prompt for this book. Sad face.
October 26, 2016
If you’ve ever been in a book group, you’ve probably been asked that question, “Why did you love/hate that novel?” Coming up with an answer that’s better than “It was boring” or “It was fun” can sometimes be hard, but author Brandilyn Collins offer helpful advice in this short book, teaching readers to approach the novel, neither as novice nor critic, but as someone who knows how to appreciate the craft. The advice might similarly apply to authors, since those who exercise a craft might do well to know how it’s perceived.
How does a protagonist draw the reader in? How does a writer create a protagonist that will draw the reader in? Does the Big Event arise soon enough, or is the reader left feeling that the story’s too slow. Can the reader see and respond to the protagonist’s Desire? Is the reader entering a story, or being taught the backstory as if there were pre-requisites to the tale? Cool scenes and excerpts from the author’s novels illustrate such intriguing points as why short sentences speed up the action and long ones slow it down. And wise psychology points out the importance of understanding underlying emotions.
Why Did I Love Hate That Novel is a quick read, a fascinating introduction to the art of critique, and a valuable manual for readers and writers. I definitely enjoyed it.
Disclosure: I like the author’s writing and was pleased to find a copy of this.
How does a protagonist draw the reader in? How does a writer create a protagonist that will draw the reader in? Does the Big Event arise soon enough, or is the reader left feeling that the story’s too slow. Can the reader see and respond to the protagonist’s Desire? Is the reader entering a story, or being taught the backstory as if there were pre-requisites to the tale? Cool scenes and excerpts from the author’s novels illustrate such intriguing points as why short sentences speed up the action and long ones slow it down. And wise psychology points out the importance of understanding underlying emotions.
Why Did I Love Hate That Novel is a quick read, a fascinating introduction to the art of critique, and a valuable manual for readers and writers. I definitely enjoyed it.
Disclosure: I like the author’s writing and was pleased to find a copy of this.
June 9, 2017
Loved this book!
This book provided excellent examples and explanations of how to draw your reader in so they feel the scene rather than just reading it. It was so helpful in pinpointing things to fix in the book I am currently writing. I would highly recommend it to writers whether fiction, or non fiction.
This book provided excellent examples and explanations of how to draw your reader in so they feel the scene rather than just reading it. It was so helpful in pinpointing things to fix in the book I am currently writing. I would highly recommend it to writers whether fiction, or non fiction.
February 3, 2017
Brandilyn Collins has to be one of the best teachers on writing. This was a quick read, packed with a lot of information. I took my time reading the book to get the most out of it. After I'd read a section, I'd apply it to my own writing.
Great study book.
Great study book.
January 29, 2018
A good, quick insight into the common strategies and errors writers put into (or fail to put into) books that make it a story readers love. This gives you just enough to better understand the process, and therefore what about it drew you in (or where it fell flat).
December 9, 2016
As a book reviewer, there are times when I know I love a novel and other times when I know I don't like a novel. What I didn't totally understand iwas why.
Collins has clarified that for me. She suggests three aspects of a novel that need to be well done for us to like that novel. First, there must be an effective story structure. She suggests a strong protagonist, a formula for plot development, and how to grab the reader's attention quickly. Second, there must be strong desires (emotions), more than one, and that they can be revealed through dialogue. Third is sentence rhythm and vividness, using sentence construction to convey the pace of the plot and using effective words, making every word count.
To those I would add a fourth, proper use of words. An example comes from this very book. “You might think,” Collins writes, “if a novel uses less words, it takes less time to write.” Ouch. This should have been “fewer” words and less time. “Fewer” is used when individual items are in mind while “less” is used elsewhere. For example, fewer calories, less fat.
Reading this short work has helped me understand why I thoroughly enjoy some novels while others leave me unexcited. It has also helped me identify issues I have with a novel when I write a review.
I recommend this book to those interested in writing fiction that engages readers and to those who review fiction.
Collins has clarified that for me. She suggests three aspects of a novel that need to be well done for us to like that novel. First, there must be an effective story structure. She suggests a strong protagonist, a formula for plot development, and how to grab the reader's attention quickly. Second, there must be strong desires (emotions), more than one, and that they can be revealed through dialogue. Third is sentence rhythm and vividness, using sentence construction to convey the pace of the plot and using effective words, making every word count.
To those I would add a fourth, proper use of words. An example comes from this very book. “You might think,” Collins writes, “if a novel uses less words, it takes less time to write.” Ouch. This should have been “fewer” words and less time. “Fewer” is used when individual items are in mind while “less” is used elsewhere. For example, fewer calories, less fat.
Reading this short work has helped me understand why I thoroughly enjoy some novels while others leave me unexcited. It has also helped me identify issues I have with a novel when I write a review.
I recommend this book to those interested in writing fiction that engages readers and to those who review fiction.
Read
February 2, 2021I think this book will be helpful to those who want to analyze and discuss the novels they read. A slim volume, it still has a number of good examples to help readers understand what makes fiction work.
October 23, 2016
Brandilyn Collins offers tips on why we like or dislike novels we read. The tips would be especially good for those wishing to write a novel but she also shares reasons that the same book may effect readers differently.
November 14, 2016
WHY Did I Love (Hate) That Novel?
Analytical way of approaching this: Story from an author with four main Concepts about how a book is written.
Also comes with reviews and as an example a sample of what they are trying to tell you and questions at the end of that.
Analytical way of approaching this: Story from an author with four main Concepts about how a book is written.
Also comes with reviews and as an example a sample of what they are trying to tell you and questions at the end of that.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews