Hello, how are you this Monday morning?

I'm posting today instead of this past Friday because I had a problem logging on.

I’m reading a book called Fangland and I won’t give you the author’s name because to me the book is not good, not good at all and I was surprised by this though you may wonder why. There are supposedly more bad books out there than good ones and every one knows this, but when you run across a bad book you are nevertheless surprised and I think that’s our fault. You pick up a book, read the storyline, think its going to be really special, you have high hopes for it so you buy it, start reading and is utterly disappointed it turns out not to be anywhere near as great as you wanted it to be. But the question is: why not? Why wasn’t Fangland better?

First, the main characters were not people you cared about, there didn’t seem to be any attribute that adhered me to the characters or their situations, they were not so much plastic but were boring and almost unbelievable. Second, though the story line sounded interesting the crafting of the story was terrible, it jumped so jarringly from one character to another and their thoughts, you could literally hear the transition and that made it worst because I didn't like any of the characters in the first place. And third, the writing got in the way, wordy speed bumps all the way through with some of the descriptions so out of place and strangely florid or ridiculous it made me roll my eyes—I clearly read the trying too hard.

So I didn’t finish the book—couldn’t—it took to much out of me and it made me wonder, could my book be the same? Then I thought, no way, I couldn’t do such a disservice to he folks I want to read my novel. First, I worked to make it readable from page one, no jarring lines that the reader tripped over, using only the words necessary to move the story fast forward, to keep the reader turning the pages. Second, I tried to make each character original and outstanding but human with all the foibles, failings and freshness of anyone. And lastly, storyline, it had to be great with every twist and turn able to catch the reader with glee making them unable to put it down until the story was told.

I had wanted to enjoy Fangland, the name itself led me to believe it would be great, but no such luck, but it did do one thing for me, make me aware of how I don’t want to write, of characters I wouldn’t want to create, of what not to do. I believe those who chose to read any of my work deserve to read something great for taking their chances with me. Keep writing.

If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com

Until next time, God willing,