forum Things You Want LESS Of In Books

Started January 21, 2019 by @HighPockets group

tune

Right?? Like no honey that's not okay well I guess it's the other guy gotta go yiffy it up, that's trauma

"I like a girl with a hearty appetite" ….?

I mean, its okay to be like "ah, she doesn't feel like she has to eat a salad in front of me. I hope that means she's comfortable around me." But any more than that is uncomfy.

I hate when rape/sexual assault is tossed in like "haha yeah see how Grimdark my world is? it's so intense!!!" and used as a footnote. If your character has been raped/sexually assaulted, that's going to impact them, it's going to have a lasting effect, and that effect will not be miraculously cured by getting a love interest.

It's like casually killing off characters but so much worse. It can be heartbreaking to see what it does to people and knowing that it's gonna take years for them to even try to claim back their old self.

and I hate that this is even a pattern that I know to point out, but sexual assault/rape is not some minor roadblock to toss into

Yes.

I would like less impulsive, reckless, curious, "poke-my-nose-into-everything-troubling" main characters
not because any of that is inherently problematic, I'm just so tired of dying of avoidable secondhand embarrassment every .05 seconds
like I get propelling the plot. and having active characters. and all that. I really do. but can we just have a single coward, just for my sake

I agree with this ^^^ Also I don't like characters who are just dumb. Especially if they are the main character, and it's even worse if the book is first person.

I'm fine with nosy main characters, but when they constantly jump headfirst into everything without even taking a second to consider the consequences? I hate that.

I'm fine with nosy main characters, but when they constantly jump headfirst into everything without even taking a second to consider the consequences? I hate that.

I know people like this, Can confirm I hate them.

Like, there's a big difference between a character thinking something seems off and going to investigate with some friends, but it's way way different for them to jump headfirst into a dangerous situation without telling anyone where they're going or taking any necessary precautions.

I get really annoyed at inconsistent charactization for the sake of plot/drama. Like if you chose to make this character emotionally intelligent please don't forcefully regress that for the sake of a dramatic miscommunication. If you decided to write them as slow to anger don't make them explode at something tiny for the sake of relationship drama.
Yes, people are irrational at times, but even then it's usually consistent with inner values and character strengths/flaws.

Sure, I'd get it if there was a clear reason for out-of-character behavior which was previously adressed or later explained, but I just. Hate it so much when authors dilute their characters for the sake of plot. Or drama.

Like, there's a big difference between a character thinking something seems off and going to investigate with some friends, but it's way way different for them to jump headfirst into a dangerous situation without telling anyone where they're going or taking any necessary precautions.

Though if it was played as impulsivity is an issue I wouldn't mind.

When a duology or trilogy could easily be one or two books, and has an entire book of filler :/
Also perfectly good standalongs that get drawn out into a duology or a series

Kill the second book lag in a trilogy! Make a duology!

That's what I'm doing in Marked too much for one book I think. He says while not knowing the plot.

When books were called a trilogy but out of the blue they needed a fourth book.
looking at you inheritance cycle

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Lol.

When books were called a trilogy but out of the blue they needed a fourth book.
looking at you inheritance cycle

Inheritance is the best one though…

When a duology or trilogy could easily be one or two books, and has an entire book of filler :/

I am doing everything in my power to not go off on the grisha trilogy omg the entire second book could have been condensed to like 4 chapters

When a duology or trilogy could easily be one or two books, and has an entire book of filler :/

I am doing everything in my power to not go off on the grisha trilogy omg the entire second book could have been condensed to like 4 chapters

I admire your restraint

When a duology or trilogy could easily be one or two books, and has an entire book of filler :/

I am doing everything in my power to not go off on the grisha trilogy omg the entire second book could have been condensed to like 4 chapters

big Allegiant vibes

When books were called a trilogy but out of the blue they needed a fourth book.
looking at you inheritance cycle

Inheritance is the best one though…

That stuff had nothing on LotR.

When a duology or trilogy could easily be one or two books, and has an entire book of filler :/

I am doing everything in my power to not go off on the grisha trilogy omg the entire second book could have been condensed to like 4 chapters

big Allegiant vibes

I love the Grisha trilogy but I agree, I was bored for most of S&S
Also Insurgent and Allegiant were useless lol
I was referring to The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh with my original comment, it's a duology but so. much. of the first book was filler :/ felt like it could've just been a standalone, and I might have actually liked it if it had been.

When books were called a trilogy but out of the blue they needed a fourth book.
looking at you inheritance cycle

Inheritance is the best one though…

That stuff had nothing on LotR.

LotR is the best so nothing ever gets close to LotR