Yes yes yes to all of this! My biggest advice for new writers is to dissect EVERYTHING, precisely for this reason. We learn a lot about ourselves and our storytelling by paying attention to what we don’t like.
This post reminded me of one of my favorite keynotes on writing, Jennifer Lynne Barnes “writing for your id”
I keep a running Id list ever since listening to it--all the small tropes or situations or character archetypes (etc etc) that I love. And often I end up adding to that list when I watch or read something I dislike. Because I’ll go “I don’t like x, but I love when x is flipped into y”
I love the idea of using what we don't like as a way to clarify what we DO like. It reminds me of another idea: that when something is a problem, instead of trying to solve the problem, turn it around and ask "what do I want to create?" Credit to Robert Fritz and his book The Path of Least Resistance.
A writer friend and I were just talking about the fact that there are elements of a story that can be objectively good or bad, and there are elements that are subjectively enjoyable or not, and it's important to figure out which of those two categories you're responding to when you don't like a book/movie/show.
It helps to figure out that I'm turned off my bad grammar or awkward prose, but it also helps to know that I tend to enjoy stories set on space ships even when other people can't stand them!
I keep a list of picture books I like, and don't, like (with notes only for myself) but I hadn't thought of broadening it to storytelling in general (to include movies, etc.)! 🤔 I do think about movies and TV an AWFUL lot, and maybe that would turn all that brain mush into something useful!
Related, you are definitely channeling Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club vibes (that's a compliment, I feel like I should explain). It's like the cover of an awesome indie label album titled "Photo of a Photo."
Also related, did I ever tell you that we all loved Derry Girls?? Thank you for that rec!!
I also keep an annotated bibliography of all the kidlit books I read. Not so much the adult books. I am vocal in this private document about why I didn't like a book.
One of the reasons I use the public library so much is so I don't have to buy a book I potentially won't like.
Abandoning a book seems like such a brutal act - I just can't do it. What I do instead is to skim and skip through it to the end to try and absorb its essence. Somehow makes me feel like I've accomplished something. But I do love the idea of journaling about what I didn't lie.
This is good advice. It’s taken me awhile to learn to abandon books that I don’t like! I always feel that I should finish every book I start-- not sure why, as there are plenty of other activities I start that I never finish, and don’t ever feel guilty about! But looking at why I don’t like the book, or how I would do it differently, certainly makes the activity have more relevance and not feel wasted. I think I’m going to try to incorporate that, as I have several books next to my bed that I have started and just can’t get into...
That's an interesting perspective on what to take away from books we didn't enjoy. I like that!
Terrific post!
Yes yes yes to all of this! My biggest advice for new writers is to dissect EVERYTHING, precisely for this reason. We learn a lot about ourselves and our storytelling by paying attention to what we don’t like.
This post reminded me of one of my favorite keynotes on writing, Jennifer Lynne Barnes “writing for your id”
I keep a running Id list ever since listening to it--all the small tropes or situations or character archetypes (etc etc) that I love. And often I end up adding to that list when I watch or read something I dislike. Because I’ll go “I don’t like x, but I love when x is flipped into y”
Anyway, here’s the link if you’re interested. https://www.rwa.org/Online/Online/Store/StoreLayouts/Item_Detail.aspx?iProductCode=AUDIO18WTYI&Category=RECORDINGS
I love the idea of using what we don't like as a way to clarify what we DO like. It reminds me of another idea: that when something is a problem, instead of trying to solve the problem, turn it around and ask "what do I want to create?" Credit to Robert Fritz and his book The Path of Least Resistance.
A writer friend and I were just talking about the fact that there are elements of a story that can be objectively good or bad, and there are elements that are subjectively enjoyable or not, and it's important to figure out which of those two categories you're responding to when you don't like a book/movie/show.
It helps to figure out that I'm turned off my bad grammar or awkward prose, but it also helps to know that I tend to enjoy stories set on space ships even when other people can't stand them!
Ooooh yes I love this idea!! I'm going to start an actual list!
Yes to Random Capitals for emphasis!
I keep a list of picture books I like, and don't, like (with notes only for myself) but I hadn't thought of broadening it to storytelling in general (to include movies, etc.)! 🤔 I do think about movies and TV an AWFUL lot, and maybe that would turn all that brain mush into something useful!
Related, you are definitely channeling Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club vibes (that's a compliment, I feel like I should explain). It's like the cover of an awesome indie label album titled "Photo of a Photo."
Also related, did I ever tell you that we all loved Derry Girls?? Thank you for that rec!!
I also keep an annotated bibliography of all the kidlit books I read. Not so much the adult books. I am vocal in this private document about why I didn't like a book.
One of the reasons I use the public library so much is so I don't have to buy a book I potentially won't like.
I have been away from this site for way too long.
Abandoning a book seems like such a brutal act - I just can't do it. What I do instead is to skim and skip through it to the end to try and absorb its essence. Somehow makes me feel like I've accomplished something. But I do love the idea of journaling about what I didn't lie.
This is good advice. It’s taken me awhile to learn to abandon books that I don’t like! I always feel that I should finish every book I start-- not sure why, as there are plenty of other activities I start that I never finish, and don’t ever feel guilty about! But looking at why I don’t like the book, or how I would do it differently, certainly makes the activity have more relevance and not feel wasted. I think I’m going to try to incorporate that, as I have several books next to my bed that I have started and just can’t get into...
Brilliant idea! Now I just need to come up with a better documentation system. Do you just like...make a spreadsheet and write notes?