Melody


Suggested by John :
How about a chance to play editor-in-chief? Fill in the blanks:
__________ would have been a much better book if ______________________.

This week's question is a challenging one, but I'm afraid I am unable to come up with any answer for this. One reason being that reading is such a subjective matter. Moreover, authors have the right to creating their own stories, no matter if the ending is good or bad, happy or sad. I am sure each author has his/her reason or temperament in writing a story and I truly respect that. Although I understand most readers would appreciate a happily-ever-after ending, but in my humble opinion this doesn't always qualify a great story. To me, a great story means it captures the reader's attention and never let it go until the very last page of the book. There might be happy or sad moments, or even a tragic ending in a story, but I think it is the reading experience itself that speaks for everything. In addition, it might be even better if it is thought-provoking to the readers as well. Just my two cents, and I apologize if this isn't a good answer.
28 Responses
  1. Julia Says:

    Yes, it had been a challenge questions, but very interesting one! :)

    I think you might be right that not all books need to have HEA to make a book so great. As you explain it, I agree with it. Like I just saw a Korean movie call "Sad Love Story", in which is is about two childhood best friend who became lover when they grow up. Life complicated things for them and they always end up seperate from each other. One trying to find the other and thought they lost each other forever until he found out she was with his bestfriend the whole times. She never knew, because she was blind at the times. Surgery had open her eyes. At the end, after all the up and down..they finally got back together again. Only he died at the end (I was mad they didn't get married!). And I cry over that. I hate the way it end but I love the movie.

    I'm okay with movie or books that had tragic love story, But you know me - I want a HEA in my books LOL!


  2. BooksPlease Says:

    This is a good answer and I agree with you. I didn't take the question very seriously, myself!


  3. Anonymous Says:

    I'm with you and BooksPlease, I can think of lots of things I wish hadn't happened in books, but if things had been different then the books would probably never have existed.


  4. Melody Says:

    Julia - I agree this week's question is an interesting one. :) I had a good time thinking about the answer though... The Korean movie you mentioned sounds good, though it's a little tragic. But that's how a good drama serial is, to be dramatic for the audience! LOL. Glad you enjoyed the show.

    Booksplease - Thank you. :) This week's question is challenging but fun. I can't wait to read what other readers have to say on this.

    Table Talk - Those are exactly my thoughts. :)


  5. Julia Says:

    I didn't participate on today questions, but I probably will next week. Korean movies are almost always have tragic love story ending. Why must the main characters die...geez LOL..but it was good movie though :)

    Hope you have a good day and weekend ahead :)


  6. Melody Says:

    Julia, I'm sure there are some other movies which have that dramatic ending too, hehe...

    Hope you've a good day and weekend too.


  7. Anonymous Says:

    I sort of agree with you. However, I very rarely have a problem with how books end. I usually grit my teeth at how female characters go unused or are stereotypes or who some part of an idea isn't explored at all. So sometimes a little bit of tweaking could have made a book better.


  8. Debi Says:

    Not a good answer?!! Melody, I thought that was a fabulous answer!


  9. Amy Says:

    I said reading is subjective too. I did choose a title though.

    Happy BTT! :)


  10. Anonymous Says:

    Some books would fall apart if we change anything. However, I could never go beyong a few pages of Ulysses. Maybe its my problem!


  11. Debi, that's a great answer. I have no idea how I'm going to answer this one.


  12. Alice Says:

    I am a sucker for good endings. I know, I know... I'm so juvenile. Anyway, I echo your thoughts and I couldn't think of a better answer for myself. Well done, Melody!


  13. I think the time when I most wish I could alter a book is when it seems that the author has the characters act out-of-character just so they can get another book out of the series, add an extra sex scene, have the hero win, have a happy or tragic ending, etc.


  14. Samantha Says:

    I don't think books need to have a happy ending either. I think they need to be some how believable and tell a good story.


  15. trish Says:

    I think it goes without saying that I agree with you. :-)

    '...a great story means it captures the reader's attention and never let it go until the very last page of the book.' I couldn't have said it better myself!


  16. I agree! I didn't even play along this week, because I didn't think my answer was really an answer. I am not a published author, so who am I to say that a book should be different?! :)

    Have a great day and Happy Reading!


  17. Anonymous Says:

    Don't apologise, it's a great answer! :D

    I agree with you that editing shouldn't come in the way of how an author wants to tell the story. Everyone has an opinion about a story, but I think it's the author's opinion that counts.


  18. i think a lot of people felt exactly as you did. i was one of the ones who is disloyal to her books and came up with an answer. hehe...check it out.


  19. pussreboots Says:

    I used this week's question to talk about why I stopped reading the Harry Potter series. Happy BTT.


  20. Ana S. Says:

    I think it's a very good answer!


  21. Melody Says:

    Mervi - I've to agree with you on some of the characters in books, or maybe it's the authors' intentions to make the books appear to be more... entertaining? ;)

    Debi - Ooh... Thanks for your kind comments. I'm blushing now. ;P

    Amy - Great. I can't wait to read your thoughts. :)

    Gautami - That's true. I've never read Ulysses, but I've noticed this one is on some readers' list as well. ;)

    Chris - Me too, initially. Don't you think this question is a tricky one? ;)

    Alice - You are not juvenile at all. Each reader has his/her reading preferences after all. :)

    Heather - I can see your point. And sometimes that makes us readers feel a little frustrated, eh?

    Samantha - Yes, those are exactly my thoughts. :)

    Trish - I think we share the same answers! ;)

    Stacy - I don't think mine is an answer either; basically my own opinions. ;) Well, the only person who can say the book to be written in another way is the editor! Hehe.

    Nithin - Thank you. :) Indeed it is.

    Bethany - Each reader has his/her opinions and reading preferences. I'll check your answer in a moment, thanks. :)

    Pussreboots - I've only read the 3rd book of the HP series, so I'm curious to read about your thoughts. :)

    Nymeth - Thank you! :D


  22. Kim L Says:

    I think your answer works just fine!


  23. Melody Says:

    Thanks, Kim! :)


  24. Jane Says:

    Great answer Melody!


  25. I think you put into words very well what I was thinking. Great answer, Melody.


  26. Melody Says:

    Jaimie - Thank you. :)

    Wendy - Thanks. Glad you think the same way. :)


  27. Anonymous Says:

    Great answer!


  28. Melody Says:

    Thanks, Lisa. :)


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