Writer’s Quote Wednesday – Easy Reading

19 Aug

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog and Writer’s Quote Wednesday hosted by Colleen of Silver Threading.

I borrowed today’s quote from Karen Oberlaender’s blog series 3 Quotes . Check out Karen’s Book reviews and 10 Statements author spotlights on her blog, My Train of Thoughts .

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I chose a quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The quote is short and sweet and packs a mighty ‘truth’ punch.

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Lilith Bookmark

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Writing is not easy. If it were easy to write everyone would write a bestseller and win a nobel price. It takes intelligence, skill, talent, patience, resourcefulness, tenacity, creativity, and most of all imagination to write a good book. The genre is irrelevant. There are literary masterpieces in all genres.

So what makes a book good? In my opinion, a good book is one that’s easy to read. What do I mean by this? Well, I don’t mean that the author should use kindergarden level words. A book that’s easy to read is a book that keeps me entertained, the prose flows beautifully, and one chapter easily transitions into the next. A book that’s easy to read is fascinating, interesting and a little challenging. It’s content is unique and it’s pace is like a Zumba class––there’s lots of rhythm and movement but with a few breaks in between, so that we may catch our breath. A book that’s easy to read is a book that’s well written and researched. I want most of my questions answered by the end of the story––not all––but most. And I want to feel like I know the key characters well.

So what kind of book is difficult to read? I struggle when I read books with too many typos and mistakes. I rarely finish books that bore me with long descriptions of mundane things or preach to me too often. I love well written descriptions but when a writer goes on for two paragraphs with a description of an end table––come on! I also enjoy reading books that teach me something but don’t interrupt the story to preach to me every other paragraph. It’s just painful.

It isn’t easy to write a book and it’s even harder to write a book that’s easy to read.

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List of book that are easy to read:

Finders Keepers by Stephen King

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker

 

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34 Responses to “Writer’s Quote Wednesday – Easy Reading”

  1. cindy knoke August 19, 2015 at 1:00 am #

    The Girl on the Train. I still can’t over how brilliant this author is.

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 1:05 pm #

      Hi Cindy! Yes! Puala Hawkins is fantastic! The Girl On The Train is a great psychological thriller. 😀

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  2. Dave Goodlove August 19, 2015 at 10:13 am #

    I might say that your writing, Vashti, is “easy” if placed into this category. If you don’t mind me quoting you, I admire your “intelligence, skill, talent, patience, resourcefulness, tenacity, creativity, and most of all imagination.” Absolutely! You are fully qualified to be put on this list. 🙂 Have a great day!

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 1:02 pm #

      I’m going to have a great week––no––month, after reading this comment. Ha, ha! Thank you so much for the kind words, Dave. I enjoy your writing too. You have a wonderful week. 😀 xx

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Dave Goodlove August 21, 2015 at 1:12 am #

        It’s my pleasure to encourage you, Vashti! xo ~Thank you, too!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Silver Threading August 19, 2015 at 12:22 pm #

    Vashti! Another fine and absolutely true quote! I love that you added a list of books and authors that are “easy” to read! Well done. Thanks so much! ❤

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 1:00 pm #

      Hi Colleen! Thank you. I’m glad you liked the quote. I realize that my list of ‘easy reads’ may not be for everyone but I have a hard time believing that these books would not appeal to all thriller/fantasy/horror fans. 😉 xx

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      • Silver Threading August 20, 2015 at 1:01 pm #

        I think that is great that you shared your list. Perfect for someone looking for something to read. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  4. stacilys August 19, 2015 at 2:14 pm #

    I just can’t get through a boring book either. I’ve got to be interested in it.
    Great choice of quote too Vashti, because it’s true. It’s not easy to write and an easy-reading book.
    Hope you’re having a great week.
    🙂

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 12:57 pm #

      Hi Staci! I’m having a very good week so far. I hope you are too. Thank you. Like I was telling my friend Yolanda, a book that’s great for one person may not be for another. It doesn’t mean that the book was poorly written, it may merely be a question of taste. If by the 3rd chapter I’m not into the book, I’m done. 😉

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      • stacilys August 20, 2015 at 1:11 pm #

        I agree. We’re all individuals right. What works for one, doesn’t for another.
        Take care.
        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Yolanda Isabel Regueira Marin August 19, 2015 at 6:16 pm #

    I obviously prefer a book that gets me in straight away but have persevered with difficult books to read in my time … A sense of achievement when I reach the last page.

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 12:52 pm #

      Ha, ha! I’ve done that in the past too. I do give every book a chance but if the book hasn’t hooked me by the end of the 3rd chapter I’m done. Life’s too short and you won’t get that time back. Besides, there isn’t a book that’s for everyone. What might fascinate you may be boring for me and vise versa. I remember when the ‘Twilight’ series came out, the women at work were devouring those books––they couldn’t get enough. I couldn’t get past the first one. It was not my cup of tea. 🙂

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  6. Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes August 19, 2015 at 10:03 pm #

    I agree with your definition of “easy.” I like a book that hooks me on the first page, and that I have to force myself to put down.

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  7. Cassie August 20, 2015 at 8:14 am #

    I love that quote! The art of making the written word easy, entertaining & engaging is hard. Those with the talent are inspiring to those of us who strive for it.

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 12:45 pm #

      Hi Cassie! I’m so glad you liked the quote. I believe being a great writer is a life long journey. The more you write the better you get at it. And reading gives you the tools to write. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

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  8. Meredith August 20, 2015 at 5:29 pm #

    I agree with you 100%!
    Your post was easy to read, easy to read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. GiGi Eats Celebrities August 20, 2015 at 8:10 pm #

    This is going to sound terrible, but it’s really really really hard to get me to sit down and read a book. I always feel like I have 10 million things to do, so taking the time to read is the last thing I do! 😮

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 20, 2015 at 11:07 pm #

      Oh no! Reading is a workout for your mind, which needs exercise as much as the body. A good place to read is in the tub while having a bubble bath. Make sure it’s a paperback and not your tablet. 😮

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      • GiGi Eats Celebrities August 20, 2015 at 11:33 pm #

        I have a feeling you may have seen a few tablets die that way? lol

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      • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 21, 2015 at 12:08 am #

        Ha, ha! No, but I’ve seen too many movies where people that drop electronics in the bath water don’t end well. Ha, ha! 😮

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Katherines Corner August 21, 2015 at 9:57 am #

    I never think of a book that is “easy” to read. Is that odd? Truth is if it hooks me by page 10 I’m all in. If not then I literally speed read it. It will not be satisfying read but I have done it on occasion. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Thing blog hop my friend xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 21, 2015 at 4:29 pm #

      Hi Katherine! It was a pleasure sharing my post on Thursday Favorite Thing. Many people don’t think about a book in terms of being easy or hard to read but it does affect whether or not you enjoy reading it. 😀 xx

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  11. JESS44903 August 24, 2015 at 11:44 pm #

    You know, I started reading The Girl on the Train and just never finished…

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  12. Marje @ Kyrosmagica August 26, 2015 at 4:08 am #

    Interesting Vashti, easy reads huh, like a Zumba class, that made me smile….. Thanks for sharing your easy reads with us, some great sounding books on your list. 🙂

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  13. MaryHill August 27, 2015 at 3:02 pm #

    I loved your quote. Something I am trying to accomplish with my writing: It isn’t easy to write a book and it’s even harder to write a book that’s easy to read. I love your description of a great read. I love my books to read like a Zumba class too. Thanks for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays. 😉

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    • Vashti Quiroz-Vega August 27, 2015 at 7:31 pm #

      Hi Mary! Thank you. I believe every writer strives to write that “easy to read” book. It’s always a pleasure sharing with you on Literacy Musing Mondays. 🙂

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