Comments on: Plots that drive me nuts http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/ Where Happily Ever After is Always on the Menu! Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Laura http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/comment-page-1/#comment-23960 Laura Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:58:21 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/#comment-23960 Something that annoys the heck out of me is when the hero is written so alpha that he treats the woman like she doesn't have a brain. He always knows what's best for her and forces her to do whatever it is he says. AND SHE DOES IT! I tolerate it better in a historical romance because that's pretty accurate to how women were treated then but when it's in a contemporary novel, that's when you're going to hear the book being thrown across the room and the author permanently erased from my "will buy" list. I know there are still men walking around that do this and women who accept it but I want to bitch slap the characters and the author and don't want to waste my time reading those stories. Great topic, by the way. Something that annoys the heck out of me is when the hero is written so alpha that he treats the woman like she doesn’t have a brain. He always knows what’s best for her and forces her to do whatever it is he says. AND SHE DOES IT! I tolerate it better in a historical romance because that’s pretty accurate to how women were treated then but when it’s in a contemporary novel, that’s when you’re going to hear the book being thrown across the room and the author permanently erased from my “will buy” list. I know there are still men walking around that do this and women who accept it but I want to bitch slap the characters and the author and don’t want to waste my time reading those stories.

Great topic, by the way.

]]> By: Gail Barrett http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/comment-page-1/#comment-23959 Gail Barrett Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:32:18 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/#comment-23959 Lyn - that's a fabulous point. The new writer either has to use something old and familiar, and yet somehow put a fresh and distinctive twist on it -- or come up with elements so different that it starts a whole new trend. Not easy!!!! Lyn – that’s a fabulous point. The new writer either has to use something old and familiar, and yet somehow put a fresh and distinctive twist on it — or come up with elements so different that it starts a whole new trend. Not easy!!!!

]]> By: Lyn Cote http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/comment-page-1/#comment-23958 Lyn Cote Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:00:42 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/#comment-23958 Hi Gail and all, Yes, I know some of these plot devices are detrop-old hat. And the new writer especially must not fall back on these. Coming up with a new twist can often help and I think the comment that often these can add to a comic plot was great. There are some classic plots such as Marriage of convenience or arranged marriage that never seem to go stale. But remember no coincidence in plotting. And hope you have an editor who makes you from committing this error. I've had a few--thank heaven! Lyn Hi Gail and all,
Yes, I know some of these plot devices are detrop-old hat. And the new writer especially must not fall back on these. Coming up with a new twist can often help and I think the comment that often these can add to a comic plot was great.

There are some classic plots such as Marriage of convenience or arranged marriage that never seem to go stale.

But remember no coincidence in plotting. And hope you have an editor who makes you from committing this error. I’ve had a few–thank heaven!
Lyn

]]> By: The Pam http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/comment-page-1/#comment-23957 The Pam Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:26:30 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/#comment-23957 Don't get me wrong, you CAN make a hidden baby plot work, but it needs to be fresh and REAL. You have to set the character and situation up so that it doesn't sound contrived and weak. And yeah, Ree - I'd go back to the drawing board on that one too. I also hate the "great misunderstanding" plot. Authors don't do this as much anymore, but the ones where the heroine overhears the hero's best friend saying to an unseen character "but you have to take care of the baby, it's yours!" and jumps to assumptions that she never tries to get right. Don’t get me wrong, you CAN make a hidden baby plot work, but it needs to be fresh and REAL. You have to set the character and situation up so that it doesn’t sound contrived and weak.

And yeah, Ree – I’d go back to the drawing board on that one too.

I also hate the “great misunderstanding” plot. Authors don’t do this as much anymore, but the ones where the heroine overhears the hero’s best friend saying to an unseen character “but you have to take care of the baby, it’s yours!” and jumps to assumptions that she never tries to get right.

]]> By: Gail Barrett http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/comment-page-1/#comment-23956 Gail Barrett Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:27:26 +0000 http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/pubbedauthors/2008/03/19/plots-that-drive-me-nuts/#comment-23956 Great point, Anna. I do think the time period makes a big difference -- especially with secret babies. But you're right, these plots are used a lot because they do work. Great point, Anna. I do think the time period makes a big difference — especially with secret babies. But you’re right, these plots are used a lot because they do work.

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