Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Make sure your book stands on its own

I should have found this comment three years ago, but I missed it. Sorry. It's a worthwhile comment.

 1 comment:
  1. Talking about book endings reminded me of a self-published book I reviewed a couple of years ago. This book had the potential to make it big, but I'm sure readers felt the same way I did when I came to the end and read: To be concluded. I thought, "Hold on, this is a book, not a movie!" My next action was to check in the beginning for the author's published books or upcoming books. Nadda.

     I understand this may happen in a series, but I also understand that a book should stand on its own with most of the foreshadows finalized before THE END rolls around. Nothing was finalized. Everything remained up in the air. What a shame. That book kept my interest, but my Spidergal instincts tingled about three quarters into the book when no foreshadow or sub-plot came close to an end.

     So a tip to newbies: make sure your book stands on its own.

 I agree with Lea, although I don't know if I've come across a novel that ended with To be concluded. I've been working on a novel that I hope to turn into a series, and I can say conclusively that it will stand on its own as well as part of a series.

Thanks, Lea.
Contact: I can be reached at tgilli52@gmail.com or nc3022@yahoo.com. Also, my Twitter handle is EDITORatWORK.

(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)

More blog entries by Tom Gillispie

Anecdotes by Tom Gillispie
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Monday, October 29, 2012

Bad headline

Headline alert: Is Braylon Edwards and Dwayne Bowe on trade block?

Obviously, that ought to be Are Braylon Edwards and Dwayne Bowe on trade block?

Found online: Olivier Vernon recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and blocked a field goal...

 You don't block a field goal (it wouldn't be a field goal if it were blocked). You'd have to block a field-goal attempt.
Contact: I can be reached at tgilli52@gmail.com or nc3022@yahoo.com. Also, my Twitter handle is EDITORatWORK.

(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)

More blog entries by Tom Gillispie

Anecdotes by Tom Gillispie
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