Subjectivity, Take 4 (Cavemen and Flying Cars)

[blackaire]

Herewith, my take on subjectivity in publishing.

It’s simple: Execution wins every time. There’s a lot of emphasis placed on “hooks” and “high concepts” in genre fiction these days, and while yet another novel about a brooding/angstful/vengeful vampire/werewolf/fae solving a muder/saving the world/managing his clan can sound dull at the outset, a

Comments

[stacia_kane]

Yep, totally agree. Where the story and how it goes there is more important than the basic concept. Lots of great books have basic stories that are positively banal. Governess falls in love with her boss? Woman cheated in her husband and is censured for it? Rich guy falls for not-so-rich girl?

[poshcat]

Great post - thank you for taking the time to write it up. I'm not sure if I'm brilliant, but I'm definitely passionate! :0)

[lankywriter]

Great post, Caitlin. Just today I was reading more of Jessica Faust's pitch critiques on the Bookends blog, and there was a pitch for this really cool (to me) mystery/suspense featuring an insurance adjuster. Jessica said it wasn't new and she saw lots of pitches with mysteries involving insurance adjusters. Well, I want to read some of those books. I found the concept of this particular story quite intriguing. Is there a section of the bookstore with insurance adjuster mysteries? Hmm... I'm going to have to check it out.

[jackiekessler]

Marvelous post.

"The first I heard of that was circa 1963, in a little comic book called X-Men."

I am SO tempted to make a joke about what you were doing in 1963. But I shan't. :)

"Street Magic’s conceit of secret cities and flawed heroes has been used to great effect many times in genre fiction, not least by an author who’s last name starts with a G and ends in aiman."

**huge grin**

[tmthomas]

I wondered about that too, but clearly, Caitlin has a TARDIS. Many things fall into place after that...

[yasminegalenorn]

>>Write your book, and quit worrying, is my advice. Make the words and the story your own, and it will be noticed. Passion shines, even in the most well-used of plot hooks. Brilliant execution trumps brilliant concept, any day.<<

I wish more aspiring writers would listen to this. How well you write the story is far more important than the bells and whistles a lot of writers think they have to throw in.

During workshops and discussion groups, I have often told the audience, "You can only write your OWN books--you can't write mine, and I can't write yours. Stop trying to write like XXX and start honing your own style and skill. Start making your story the strongest it can be."

Yasmine