Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Barbara Vey's question got me thinking...(scary, I know)

Barbara Vey posted a question on Publisher's Weekly "Beyond The Book" blog recently, asking when do you put the book down if you are not into it?

As a reader I replied that I put the book down after the first chapter. But then I started second guessing my answer. Sometimes I put the book down much sooner. Maybe 10 pages into the story and yet sometimes it gets a second chance when I'm in a different mood. Often I'm glad I gave the book a second look, but sometimes I can't get into it no matter what.

So how did this get me thinking you ask. Well it's because my mood changes all the time. Some days I want light and funny, like Janet Evanovich or Karen Wells. Other days I want my heroes torchered like in J.R. Ward's or Sherrilyn Kenyon's books. Some times I just want to read a cool YA such as P.C. Cast. And sometimes I want to read about a kick-ass heroine such as Karen M Moning's Fever series or even Charlaine Harris's Sookie series or maybe something serious like Jodi Picoult.

I'm trying to find a common thread in these book, and why sometimes I like the mystery, humor over a paranormal romance, and other times I want the dark paranormal romance over the light mystery. I'm guessing it's the same reason why one day we want to watch a scary movie or a comedy or a action packed thriller. It all depends on our moods.

So my thoughts is this. Do you think editors and agents have moods as well when reading submissions? One day they love your story and voice and then the next day they aren't in the mood for it? I know you are wondering where are these random thoughts are coming from. Heck, I don't know. Just some weird crap that goes through my mind is all.

Now on a totally different subject. If you are a TrueBlood fan, what do you think of Alcide Herveaux? OMG! I know. He is the hottest Mississippi redneck I've ever laid eyes on. (now don't get offended if you're from Mississippi and I called Herveaux a redneck, he's not really a redneck, he's a sexy-ass werewolf. Plus my dad's from Sugalock Miss. so I get the privledge of using the redneck term, and I once lived in Jackson for a total of 3 days. (grin).

That was all. I'm still counting down until I leave for RWA Nationals, and I'm super excited to meet some awesome agents, editors and new and old friends....(claps hands excited) One week from tomorrow!!! Yay.....

Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, OUT NOW!
www.thewildrosepress.com
www.dawnchartier.com

3 comments:

Suzanne Johnson said...

I'd never really thought about it, but I'm the same way--mood influences how much I like or don't like a book. I guess I'd hope agents and editors are looking not only at their emotional response to a submission but also with the jaundiced eye of the marketplace--will it sell? Still, they have to love a project before they take it on. Interesting topic!
Re: True Blood. I've had to DVR all the episodes this season and haven't had a chance to watch yet, but I'm hearing lots of panting and moaning over Alcide! It'll take a lot to pull me away from Team Eric, though.

Kathy said...

I'm the same way about reading books. It all depends on my mood. I always manage to give any book a second chance. I think you may be on to something with the agents and or publishers and reading different submissions. They are readers just like us, so why wouldn't they be subject to moods in regards to books as well.
As far as Alcide goes...my, my, my that man sure knows how to go shirtless. I cannot get enough of watching him. I am still a team Eric though. :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

I think editors/agents are pretty much like the rest of us readers --personal taste determines their likes & dislikes more than mood. If it's your cuppa, you recognize it.