Last week we discussed writing vs. storytelling and parsed out how it’s often the storytelling and not the sentence-to-sentence prose that is drawing people in when a book is extremely popular.
Let’s imagine two sliding scale spectrums:
0-10 on the writing scale
And 0-10 on the storytelling scale
10 writing, 0 storytelling would be experimental fiction and other prose-centric musings without much/any story.
0 writing, 10 storytelling would be novels where the story is fantastic but the prose is basically indistinguishable from another book or otherwise not very strong.
Everything in between would each be a combination of strengths. For instance, 7 writing/10 storytelling would be well-written edge-of-the-seat genre fiction, 10 writing/10 storytelling would be a book that melds beautiful (if challenging) prose with expert plotting, and 10 writing/6 storytelling would finely wrought novels where we mainly admire the writing.
So. How important is writing vs. storytelling to you? Which is more important to you when you choose a book? Do you have a sweet spot? Do you gravitate toward a certain combination of writing and storytelling? Do you have limits?
Speaking personally, my favorite books are close to 10/10, but as long as the storytelling is great I’m very willing to skimp on the writing scale. I can’t do less than about a 5 or 6 on storytelling no matter how good the writing is.
What about you?
I'm going with 6 Writing/10 Storytelling.
No powerful prose can keep me glued to a book if the story is bad.
I think I'm 7 Writing / 10 Storytelling. Sometimes I can even slide down to a 5 or 6 on writing if the storytelling is amazing. I immediately think of Pillars of the Earth. It's probably a 5 or 6 on the writing scale in my opinion, but the storytelling is definitely a 10. As such, I tend to give storytelling more weight because I would give Pillars of the Earth 5 out 5 stars.
Interesting post. Hmm, I will have to go for 4 for Writing and 7 for Storytelling. If the writing is really bad, I can't concentrate even if the story itself is fantastic and will constantly get distracted by the weak prose. However, the storytelling is extremely important to me and it's the main factor in determining whether I keep reading or not.
~TRA
https://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I love this series of posts, Nathan, and I completely agree with making the distinction. I definitely divide my favorites up into "great storytelling" and "great prose" and then marvel at the ones that are both.
I love Margaret Atwood, for instance, for her prose (does anyone write a better simile???), but her storytelling always leaves me lacking. I forgive the storytelling, though, just to read her sentences over and over again. She's the person I still re-read most. Gorgeous prose.
On the other hand, I often pick up a genre novel when what I want is pacing — when I want the roller-coaster, leaning-in-around-the-campfire experience for the evening, I'll go with a great genre storyteller who can make my heart pound. I'll forgive a lot of the prose (simpler words, simpler sentences) because that's not what I'm reading for.
For me, personally, books that have delivered both were The Time Traveler's Wife, The Book Thief, and anything by Jhumpa Lahiri.
For me, I think it depends on the story. Some of my favorite books I like the plot but mostly adore for the prose (Paper Towns), love the plot and the prose (The Book Thief), or love the plot and like the writing (Harry Potter). I think I learn more towards 6-9 on both sides of the spectrum.
I'm probably more into the story, but I can't deal with writing less than a 5 under any circumstances- it makes me cringe and want to run for my red pen.
I am definitely a 10 on the story telling and whatever on the writing. I will read a novel with a magnificent story where the author can barely put a sentence together. Some of my favorite novels that I have reread countless times have incomplete sentences in them.
I really think that is across the board too. People don't read a novel and think, wow, this sentence structure is fantastic, we think wow, I love this story.
I most enjoy writing that showcases story and ideas over style. I won't read a book for the loopy/interesting prose very often.
Sentences over 3 lines long bug me, even if I like the story.
Unsurprisingly, I love non-fiction in the sciences and graphic novels as well as literature. And pulp fiction-style romance holds a dear place in my heart- so long as it has a touch of irony.
But my question is- is clear/straightforward writing "bad" writing?
I used the Flesch Writing Index on my last book (a rompy romance I was pretty happy with) and I scored 82.9. To me, being almost as readable as a comic book seems great! But then I saw that a score of 60-70 is generally recommended.
So I should write less clearly. Hm.
I suppose there's a reader for every writer. But I feel a little defensive now. (Not about your post, but about my simplistic writing style.)
Do you feel that writers who focus on story, while using a staight-forward style should consciously try to write more interestingly/less clearly?
When I was a child my mother used to bake the most amazing sponge cakes. Not only were they mouthwatering to look at, but they practically melted in your mouth….and the taste!!! She never measured anything out…never had a baking 'system'. Just went with the flow. But she knew how to put it all together.
In my writing, I often think of her baking skills, and I've learned to go with the flow, also….in storytelling, prose, pace etc., I never measure the ingredients, just settle for what feels right (which may be a 10/10 I admit, but not a conscious one).
The curious thing though……my sponge cakes are crap!!