“The more you do something, the better you get at it.”
We’ve probably all heard that at one time or another. But is it really true? Especially when it comes to writing?
Can we honestly say that the more an author writes, the better they’ll get?
I’d like to believe that the longer I write and the more books I have under my belt, the better I’ll get.
But is it true?
Recently, I read a book by popular author that has been around for a long while. I’d read some of this author’s earlier works and liked them well enough at the time. So when I picked up this book after all the years had passed, I expected I would enjoy the author even more.
But the sad truth was that I was very disappointed. The story didn’t captivate me and the writing had large chunks of backstory as well as pages of repetitive exposition with very little action or dialogue.
So in this case, I can say that this author didn’t get better over time—had perhaps even atrophied.
So do more books equate better stories and writing?
Yes and No.
YES, most writers are likely to get better to a degree over time.
Consistent writing can help strengthen a writer’s creative muscles. I’ve found that when I’m writing every day, I have a much easier time sitting down to my laptop and jumping back into my story-world than those times when I’m sporadic.
Not only does the daily writing help the flow of my story, but I also find that regular writing enables me to think of words quicker, find plot solutions easier, and weave in descriptions better. Overall I’m able to write with more ease.
The creative parts of our brains are similar to any other muscle in our bodies. The more we engage them, the stronger and more flexible they become.
Regular writing can also help us improve our speed. I’ve also found that over time, I’m able to challenge myself to higher daily word count goals (and weekly totals). With my first published book, I made myself write 500 words a day. At that time, with a baby, toddler, and three elementary children, that was all I could manage.
With the book after that, I increased my daily word count goal to 800 words per day. During the next several books, I challenged myself to 1000 words a day. Slowly, over time, I’ve worked my way up to doing even more. In order to improve, we have to challenge ourselves to operate in the zone where it’s just slightly uncomfortable.
NO, writing in greater frequency for long periods of time doesn’t guarantee success.
Just because we’re doing something all the time, doesn’t mean we’re getting better at it. Think about a person who jogs every day. Perhaps they’re perfectly content to jog two miles in twenty minutes for an entire year. That doesn’t mean they’re getting faster or gaining endurance. After a year of jogging at the same distance at the same pace, they aren’t automatically going to be able to run a 5K and finish in a decent time.
The same thing is true of writers. Just because an author writes 1000 words every day for an entire year, doesn’t necessarily they’re getting better. If we want to improve (in anything) we have to make concerted steps to push ourselves to do and learn more.
The longer authors write, the more potential they have for stagnating. They can grow too comfortable with their style, voice, and stories. Their books can start to have a cookie cutter feel. Instead of pushing themselves to think deeper and harder and find fresh ideas, they stick with what they’re used to.
My Summary: If we really want to get better at something, then yes, we need to keep doing it day after day. But we can’t stop there. We have to consciously challenge ourselves to grow in our skill too.
Have you ever been disappointed by an author who seemed to stagnate? How would you encourage authors (or anyone to grow) in their skills?
Jody Hedlund
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I recently read a book by a very popular author. I, too had read her earlier books with relish. This latest book did disappoint me. Predictable plot , it just didn’t resonate with me. I came to the conclusion that it may have been a very early work that was brought out and dusted off but not reworked or rethought. Another idea came to me that since this author is so prolific, maybe it was ghostwritten? I will still continue to read this author. This particular book was not my cup of tea, and as such I do not recommend it to anyone. Thanks for the insight . And just to be clear…. I have lived EVERYTHING that I have read of yours. You are in my top twelve! Sorry I can’t narrow it down from there.
I’ve come to understand that most writers have a critique group, which should provide constructive feedback. I would think that reading other excellent authors’ works in the genre that an author writes should provide the opportunity to learn from other skilled writers. Attending authors’ conferences and workshops should also be stimulating. As you mentioned, an author’s challenging himself/herself to grow should be key as well.
You are so right, Jody. We must constantly strive to better ourselves and our writing. I also find that the more books I have under my belt the more difficult it is to find new, fresh ideas. I fear that all my plots will start to feel the same, and I desperately want to avoid that trap. So I press myself not to accept the first, easy idea that comes to mind but dig deeper for better ideas. Like you said, it’s not comfortable, but it’s necessary if we want to keep producing quality stories.
One of my favorite authors (for over 20 yrs.) was a fantastic author when she started. Now her books all sound the same. To make it worse, she now writes with a family member & the voice doesn’t match her work. Even when she writes without the family member, her books sound stale. She was one of the authors I would buy in hardback – couldn’t wait for it to come out in paperback. Her writing got so disappointing that I took all of my books (had her whole collection) and donated them to an assisted living home. However, another author I found about the same time just keeps getting better and she’s still my favorite author for about 30 yrs. now. Her books never seem stale or lacking.
I’ve read my share of “dialed-in” books and stories. My thought is that the author isn’t interested in the story, characters, plot, or much of anything pertaining to the book. Maybe it’s an issue with being bored by the genre, time period or whatever. I think of an old milk commercial where the pig wanted to be a cow. Possibly our beloved author wants to be in another writing place and time. I am part of a critique group where we question our own interest in the story. If the writer is bored, how can the reader be anything else. Except maybe loyal. 🙂
Sometimes I think long-established authors begin to dial in their books because their goals and priorities have changed over the years. In the beginning, their goal may have been: write an excellent book. But, as success flowed their way, their goal may have become: build a business (or ministry) empire. Now, they’re speaking, and taking long book tours, and blogging, and doing a radio shows, and putting out twice as many books per year as they once were. There’s no way for one person to manage all that while keeping the quality of the books the same. So they let the books slip in order to prioritize what’s become more important to them.
This is purely speculation on my part. 🙂 And if there is any truth in my conjecture, I’m not knocking the author’s choice. It’s possible she’s reaching more people through the speaking, book tours, radio shows, etc, than she was through the books alone.
That said, I’ll say that my own heart is fully focused on writing the best book I can through the Lord’s equipping. And I hope that never changes.
Well said, Becky.
I recently read a book exactly as you described – established author, popular works that I’d previously enjoyed – and then suddenly poorly written, no stakes, info-dumps, and more. Since there was a gap in writing and a change in publisher – honestly my thought was that this author had shopped around to find a publisher that would cave to their weight as an established author and allow them to write what they wanted with minimal editing.
I’ve experienced with disappointment with authors I once enjoyed, but I assumed that it wasn’t them, it was me. I’d learned more about writing and become a harsher critic. Like how a circus might entertain a child while boring an adult. My expectations rose. What I used to consider “magic” has now become a simple trick that I could probably perform better. That’s life, isn’t it?
As an avid reader of Christian fiction I would have to agree with many of the comments above.
I think many authors who have written for long periods in the same genre often do start to sound stale or repetitive.
I think if an author is making a living at writing books there is probably some pressure to keep turning them out, sometimes 3 or 4 a year. I am not a writer but to me it’s just not feasible to have that many great high-quality books in a year. When thinking of two of my very favorite authors, they each normally release just one book but they are worth the wait!
As a reader I think we do become more discerning overtime of quality and just become a little more picky and I reading. I am much more likely to not finish a book now than I was saying 10 years ago. There are so many good books waiting on my bookshelf and I’m not going to waste the time on a so so book.
Yes, I have been disappointed in authors, but try to give them another chance if they have been favorites. Sometimes they’ve written a successful series and change to something totally different. In that case I think it’s just that it doesn’t reach what I liked in the first place.
I am not an author, but I know that authors are under extreme pressure from publishers, so I really empathize. Some publishers have encouraged authors to stop writing successful series and embark on stand alone books – not always with success. One of my favorite authors, whom I have read and loved for years, said she does not read anything for her personal reading that is in the genre she writes. She wants her writing mind to be separate.
Thanks for a very thought provoking post.
Since Betty and I have a shared taste in books, and have read few together, I’d whole-heartedly agree. One author I have loved changed publishers and they told her to wrap up her current series – only 5 books in and very good – and begin something entirely new. The new beginning was nothing like her previous one and a huge disappointment to me. Just an example of what the publisher can control.
And Jody, you’ve given us plenty of food for thought and brought up some great points!
I followed an author for a while. She writes many books in a year but they started to get repetitive and my focus strayed. The story lines felt familiar and tired and predictable. But I follow other writers, whom I love and never tire. Their work is fresh and creative. I believe it depends on the author and their inspiration. Sometimes they find what people like but then they don’t take risks and challenge themselves in new areas. I take a break from their work but I do revisit later. Often I am pleasantly surprised.
I have witnessed certain authors’ stories get worse over time, and after reading so much in the Christian publishing industry, I often chalk it up to just a desire for sales or pressure from somewhere within the publishing company. Honestly, if I could encourage an author with their writing, I would encourage them to keep the discipline of writing regularly, but for the author to also seek out faithful readers’ advice. It doesn’t have to be a complete stranger. I enjoy reading Relz Reviewz and other trusty bloggers who give their opinion, because it matters to the me, the reader, whether it’s worth the buy. I have followed certain authors for a very long time, and as soon as their writing takes a dip downhill, I hesitate to buy a book until I get a solid take from other trusted reviews. Also, fans who have been long time followers of an author could possibly be a very good go-to source. They have read all the other books and know what they do and don’t like. I think these opinions could serve an author and even motivate them to have the same energy and dedication they once had. That’s just my two cents. 🙂