I agree with almost everything said. Angelfish can drag me into a story, but... There's always something missing.
Yes? What?
I adore Far Shores about the best of her works. I don't understand how this good writer always manages to add so many unnecessary scenes.
And leave out some of the most important? *g* Yes, that is very common with authors who work in complete isolation. They're writing strictly and solely for an audience of one. This certainly describes Angelfish's fanfiction -- she writes simply and strictly for herself and had to be persuaded to publish, as I understand.
As for cutting the last scenes short -- rushing to end is a very common failing with writers old and new. I do it myself to the point that I now know my first ending is a just a place-keeping ending and that my real ending won't show up until my final draft. I think a lot of newish writers just go with that relief of having ended.
Word count maybe? Really, she writes beautifully, but very wordy at times. Painting beautiful pictures with words doesn't make the story better.
Because in fan fiction she was writing for her own pleasure, she indulged that delight in words in a way that an editor would typically try to curtail. She does write long naturally, which -- because I love her work -- I enjoy. I do think the focus in her storytelling is occasionally skewed and that more emphasis on the characters and their relationship and less on scenery and light is needed.
I think a good editor could fix these things and tighten up the stories immensely. As a general comment, I often wonder if betas or editors are afraid to hack into a much-loved, long-time (insert fandom here) writer in fear of offense when they would really be helping. Who knows why, in the end.
Not every writer is open to editing -- serious editing, I mean. As I said, Angelfish's fan fiction was very much her personal vision and written for her personal pleasure. Only so much editing would be possible.
But I've read Far Shores at least three times. This one I've read twice. The angst actually is okay. The end is thoughtlessly attached. But overall, it's a good read, just not a favourite.
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Thanks for reading!
I agree with almost everything said. Angelfish can drag me into a story, but... There's always something missing.
Yes? What?
I adore Far Shores about the best of her works. I don't understand how this good writer always manages to add so many unnecessary scenes.
And leave out some of the most important? *g* Yes, that is very common with authors who work in complete isolation. They're writing strictly and solely for an audience of one. This certainly describes Angelfish's fanfiction -- she writes simply and strictly for herself and had to be persuaded to publish, as I understand.
As for cutting the last scenes short -- rushing to end is a very common failing with writers old and new. I do it myself to the point that I now know my first ending is a just a place-keeping ending and that my real ending won't show up until my final draft. I think a lot of newish writers just go with that relief of having ended.
Word count maybe? Really, she writes beautifully, but very wordy at times. Painting beautiful pictures with words doesn't make the story better.
Because in fan fiction she was writing for her own pleasure, she indulged that delight in words in a way that an editor would typically try to curtail. She does write long naturally, which -- because I love her work -- I enjoy. I do think the focus in her storytelling is occasionally skewed and that more emphasis on the characters and their relationship and less on scenery and light is needed.
I think a good editor could fix these things and tighten up the stories immensely. As a general comment, I often wonder if betas or editors are afraid to hack into a much-loved, long-time (insert fandom here) writer in fear of offense when they would really be helping. Who knows why, in the end.
Not every writer is open to editing -- serious editing, I mean. As I said, Angelfish's fan fiction was very much her personal vision and written for her personal pleasure. Only so much editing would be possible.
But I've read Far Shores at least three times. This one I've read twice. The angst actually is okay. The end is thoughtlessly attached. But overall, it's a good read, just not a favourite.
Far Shores is splendid. Very vivid.