14 comments on “Stephen King on why readers stop reading — Quotes for writers (and people who like quotes)”

1. The Story Reading Ape

   February 16, 2014

   

   Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's New (to me) Authors Blog and commented:
   Truth!

   Reply
2. nofrillswrapping

   February 16, 2014

   

   I totally agree. I’ve stopped reading many a Dean Koontz book for that reason.

   Reply
   • bridget whelan

     February 16, 2014

     

     Never read any Dean Koontz – I thought popular fiction preferred dialogue to description so I’m surprised that’s one of Koontz’s failings

     Reply
     • nofrillswrapping

       February 16, 2014

       

       He’s a good author, but there a parts in his books that go on and on with a description that it’s very boring.
3. Ali Isaac

   February 16, 2014

   

   Not necessarily so…love ’em or hate ’em, all the old classics concentrated intensely on long, flowing, even flowery paragraphs of description, and they are as popular and well loved now as the century in which they were written!

   Reply
   • bridget whelan

     February 16, 2014

     

     Thanks for dropping by Ali. Good point but, of course, when the classics were written they were the only show in town – no television, no radio, few libraries. A book was a precious thing and detailed descriptions served up pictures and places to a hungry readership. The ones that have survived are the ones that also have compelling stories, but I don’t think a contemporary writer could pack in as much description as Trollop or Dickens or Hardy and get away with it….readers would switch off in the way King describes. What do you think? Or have you found a modern writer able to devote pages bringing the countryside (or whatever) to life?

     Reply
     • Margret Geraghty

       August 14, 2014

       

       Speaking as one who enjoys classics as well as modern fiction, I agree with you Bridget. When we pick up a classic we do so with different expectations. Young readers, used to modern media, can find even fast-moving classics hard going. Dracula is a good example. It inspired Stephen King to write Salem’s Lot, and it’s a great read. However, some younger people on a literature course with me found it just too ponderous. It’s a shame but it’s a fact.
     • bridget whelan

       August 14, 2014

       

       Dracula is a very good example – it’s a fantastic read but it was written when books were the only show in town, before stories were pumped into our home and accessible in so many different formats. Perhaps patience should be a school subject…the idea that stories and others things can be delivered at a slower pace, that satisfaction doesn’t have to be immediate.
4. Abby

   February 16, 2014

   

   Almost like he’s read my mind. So true!

   Reply
5. bridget whelan

   February 16, 2014

   

   Hi Abby thanks for coming over – description stops the story and tells the reader to notice the way the sunlight is playing on the water or the trembling hands of an old woman. Too much, too often and too detailed and the story never really gets going – it stalls all the time, but too little and you don’t get a sense of place and you don’t get to care what happens to the characters. Like all things, it’s a question of balance Not easy.

   Reply
6. cathum

   February 17, 2014

   

   I agree with you about the balance, Bridget. I don’t usually need description, but when it’s done well, I enjoy it.

   Reply

7. Pingback: On Reading for Writers, and Writing for Readers | Books: Publishing, Reading, Writing

8. Pingback: On Reading for Writers and Writing for Readers | Illuminite Caliginosus

9. fmovies.to

   August 31, 2020

   

   But a smiling visitor һere to share thе love (:, btw ɡreat design and style.

   Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.