tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post524590067060185942..comments2023-09-12T06:18:38.552-04:00Comments on The World in the Satin Bag: First Novels: Are They Forgivable?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13571452656553970472noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-36910746788220205252012-07-10T05:42:57.587-04:002012-07-10T05:42:57.587-04:00I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be in here...I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be in here, but I saw your question and found it enjoyable.<br /><br />"Is the first novel forgivable?" sounds like a question to ask if the author really matters to the reader. In my experience, the author won't matter to the reader unless his/her story makes an impression. It is with this impression we use to formulate the answer. <br /><br />So the question we should ask before that is, "Is the author's first story any good?"<br /><br />If so, then yes, the first novel is forgivable for whatever kinks or bogs it had.<br />If not, then no, the reader won't want to make the same mistake twice. <br />If meh, then the answer will be guaged accordingly as the reader sees fit. If it's taking too long to come up with an opinion, then chances are, things aren't going to work out. Why settle for less when the reader had more?<br /><br />Interesting blog, sir. Keep up the good work.Gunshell Mavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11664120162132205070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-72448645720415784462012-06-21T20:17:41.800-04:002012-06-21T20:17:41.800-04:00Perdido was the first CM novel I read, too - IIRC....Perdido was the first CM novel I read, too - IIRC. I have to note, though, that I had personal reasons, at the time, for reading the book - so probably would have read it if it was complete crap. (which I didn't think it was)<br /><br />I'm intrigued by Ben's comment - not least because I think if I had read IC first, I might not have ever picked up another Mieville, and that would have been a serious loss for me.<br /><br />The whole "first novel" curve idea is a good one, but I don't know how far it can be taken across the board. If I think it's brilliant (whoever it is) and you (generally speaking) think it's crap - and the more I think about it, the more I wonder if I'm talking myself into a circle.<br /><br />IS there any excuse to be "second-best"? or produce something "second-rate"? Those are kind of screaming questions to me, but they also feel a bit personal.<br /><br />I might think someone's first is genius, and their third is terrible. If so, have I set up a hurdle for them that they can't now get across?<br /><br />Not sure how much sense this makes, but thanks for making me think!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11595811312610896575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-5216347248520646142012-06-21T19:08:06.508-04:002012-06-21T19:08:06.508-04:00I expect many things to be worked out before publi...I expect many things to be worked out before publication. The basics of writing should be there, and there should be a minimum level of competency even in a first novel. <br /><br />I totally agree with that. But the craft of writing is something that seriously is liable to the 10,000 hour rule. <br /><br />Even Brandon Sanderson, who wrote a sheaf of "trunk novels" has gotten better since his ostensible first book, Mistborn.Paul Weimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444942522624902562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-90584390917929837952012-06-21T18:57:10.400-04:002012-06-21T18:57:10.400-04:00I think you're right about the need for contex...I think you're right about the need for context. I read China Mieville's first novel, "Perdido Street Station," before any of his other books, and so I liked it. If I had read it after reading "Iron Council," though, "Perdido" would have looked abysmal. Writers just get better with time (and maybe more focussed attention from editors). For example, I read Joe Abercrombie's "Best Served Cold," and then tried to read "The Blade Itself," and I basically vomited. It wasn't like he had sinned, but it didn't change the fact that I knew he--or, his later self--could do so much better.Ben Godbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15450579203940093977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-47888295730218760152012-06-21T18:50:03.621-04:002012-06-21T18:50:03.621-04:00I suppose my devil's advocate question is this...I suppose my devil's advocate question is this: Is it not expected that you would have worked out the kinks and flaws before publication? Isn't it basically saying "this is an excuse to be second-best" if we say that first novels are allowed to be more flawed than second or third or fourth novels?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13571452656553970472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33813337.post-60210358964318004092012-06-21T18:39:37.212-04:002012-06-21T18:39:37.212-04:00Yes.
Why?
Because writing is one of those craft...Yes. <br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because writing is one of those crafts and arts that practice really does pay dividends. I tolerate flaws and problems in first novels that more established writers should know better and do better with. I am much more forgiving of first novels, because its a down payment, an investment, a bet that better stuff from the writer is coming.<br /><br />There are LIMITS to this "grading on a curve" for first novels, but yes, I do grade them on a curve.<br /><br />Now, a novelist who, half a dozen novels in her career, is still making amateurish mistakes, they get no truck with me.Paul Weimerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444942522624902562noreply@blogger.com