The book you finished last night with all its unresolved, unfollowed threads is a lot like some TV programs nowadays. I've read complaints in the fandom world about shows doing the same thing. And it's usually around the time that the show takes a nosedive in the ratings.
I think there's an attitude in the TV world that if you resolve a storyline the story is over and the audience will move on. So some start writing stories that make a point of not resolving anything, thinking that will keep the audience in their seats. But the audience gets tired of all "sizzle and no steak" and they move on anyway. Meanwhile the writers get caught up in writing stories that never resolve anything. It's great for fanfiction writers if the story is popular enough, but that's about it.
Your book author from last night may think s/he is leaving things up in the air so it can be a hook to sell another book. S/he may not have a mind that can come up with the rich details that Rowling can. Or....it may be that her/his publisher doesn't want to publish a large book with the additional cost unless they can be absolutely sure it will sell like HP. They're hoping these unresolved plotlines will bring readers back, ignoring the fact that it might also leave them too unsatisfied to consider this author again.
The creative world is caught up in formulas lately. They're looking for guarantees and no risks.
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Date: 2005-11-02 02:59 pm (UTC)The book you finished last night with all its unresolved, unfollowed threads is a lot like some TV programs nowadays. I've read complaints in the fandom world about shows doing the same thing. And it's usually around the time that the show takes a nosedive in the ratings.
I think there's an attitude in the TV world that if you resolve a storyline the story is over and the audience will move on. So some start writing stories that make a point of not resolving anything, thinking that will keep the audience in their seats. But the audience gets tired of all "sizzle and no steak" and they move on anyway. Meanwhile the writers get caught up in writing stories that never resolve anything. It's great for fanfiction writers if the story is popular enough, but that's about it.
Your book author from last night may think s/he is leaving things up in the air so it can be a hook to sell another book. S/he may not have a mind that can come up with the rich details that Rowling can. Or....it may be that her/his publisher doesn't want to publish a large book with the additional cost unless they can be absolutely sure it will sell like HP. They're hoping these unresolved plotlines will bring readers back, ignoring the fact that it might also leave them too unsatisfied to consider this author again.
The creative world is caught up in formulas lately. They're looking for guarantees and no risks.