The Reading Challenge Group discussion

I had a very interesting thought today and wanted to pose the question to the group and see what you all had to say. Is there an author you have read or still currently read where their writing has progressed or changed over the course of their books? I use to be an avid Mary Higgins Clark reader however I fee like her plot lines got repetitive. Every few books started to feel like a recycled story line from one of her previous books. Eventually I stopped reading her. I am currently a huge Jane Green fan. Her books have evolved with each work. When I first started reading her she was filed as a chick lit author. And while she can still be filed in the category, she covers real topics that happen every day. I Look forward to each one of her books to see what she will give us next. There is no predictability in her writing and as an avid readers that is exciting.

Love the question Wendy! I used to be a huge Patricia Cornwell fan and read each of her books with glee as soon as they were published. However, about three years ago I began to get frustrated with her writing, for much the same reason that you have been frustrated with Mary Higgins Clark. Her storylines are all recycled - she spends almost have the book now doing recaps rather than developing her character. It feels as though she received a lot of praise for her books at a certain time and in her efforts to maintain that praise, she has kept things as close to how they were at the time as possible. I continued to give her a few chances but the last 3 books have gotten even worse so I've now stopped reading her. It's a real shame as I'm not loyal to many authors through 20+ books and now it feels like a big disappointment.

Kassandra wrote: "Love the question Wendy! I used to be a huge Patricia Cornwell fan and read each of her books with glee as soon as they were published. However, about three years ago I began to get frustrated with..."

Thanks!! And yes it is a huge disappointment but as I get older I also get a little pissed off because I am like I invested (and feel like I wasted) so much time on those book when there are so many other great books to get to and invest in.

I agree with you about Mary Higgins Clark. I used to read all of her books. The latest books just do not have the story lines that used to grab my attention. I heard a rumor that her daughter writes most of the newer books. I think this can also happen with movies and music. Some movies I used to watch, I watch now and say what was I thinking. Maybe it is not the author, maybe we change perspectives.

Cindy wrote: "I agree with you about Mary Higgins Clark. I used to read all of her books. The latest books just do not have the story lines that used to grab my attention. I heard a rumor that her daughter write..."

That might be possible. But her daughter has also written books under her own name I just never read them. :)

I've been following a writer named Jennifer Crusie for a while now. And her blog as well. It has been really interesting to see her develop as a writer. She started with Harlequin style short novels that were breezy and cute. Then graduated to longer novels, that still maintained the humor but had more complex stories and characters. Eventually, she produced some of my favorite chick-lit romances... Welcome to Temptation, Faking It, and Bet Me.

She talks a lot about the craft of writing in her blog and is very open about her bout of writer's block that brought her to a decision to team up with a male writing partner who writes adventure stories. The books they wrote together have a different chemistry (Agnes and the Hitman is my favorite of these.)

Then she morphed again and wrote a Romance/Ghost Story novel. I just love watching her grow and change as a writer. And that she works so hard not to just follow a formula. That she takes risks. It's interesting to me as a reader and inspiring to me as a writer.

Renee wrote: "I've been following a writer named Jennifer Crusie for a while now. And her blog as well. It has been really interesting to see her develop as a writer. She started with Harlequin style short novel..."

I love when authors who don't stick to one formula. I mean there is nothing wrong with have a very general similar idea but the details and the progression need to remain fresh in order to keep us readers interested. I also enjoy it when authors take time our of their very busy schedule to share on social media with their fan base. I know that Whitney G (one of the authors that I have followed) puts updates on her FB, blog and twitter as much as possible. She even tries to respond to her readers which shows that she cares about the time we take as individuals to pick up her material when we have millions or other options.

I can't help think of Lionel Shriver. He wrote We Need to Talk About Kevin and I really enjoyed it but the next one I read was a bit too similar, especially at the end. I'm afraid to try another one in case I see the end coming.

Kassandra wrote: "Love the question Wendy! I used to be a huge Patricia Cornwell fan and read each of her books with glee as soon as they were published. However, about three years ago I began to get frustrated with..."
My gosh! Exactly! With Patricia Cornwell AND Stephen King!