Friday, June 21, 2013

No Dumb Down

As a reader I love books that challenge my intellect. I read a lot of historical fiction and the more real history I learn the more I love the book. I read lots of mysteries and suspense. Nothing keeps me turning pages like the clever weaving of clues and connections. Science fiction and fantasy? Create a world or science that sounds plausible and stays in my thoughts for days or months until your next book comes out.

Even better, introduce me to a new word, not a big show off word, but a rarely used word that is perfect for the scene. I have a little spiral notebook that I write down words that I like and intend to use one day when they fit perfectly. Whatever you do, don't dumb down the prose to fit me as a reader.

People who read books are smart. If a reader opens a book expecting a historical mystery in the time of King Henry VIII, keep the facts straight and teach me a little history woven within the plot. If you're writing science fiction, give me a little real science to make the fictional part more believable. Challenge the reader whenever you can. Never underestimate the intelligence of the people who might read your books.

Have you ever put a book down because it insulted your intelligence? Have you ever read a book where you felt the author was showing off by using big or obscure words when a simple better word would do? Do anything special for this longest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere?

13 comments:

Ted Cross said...

I remember reading a book popular at the time which was a thriller based around the theme of chess, yet the author clearly had no idea about the details of competitive chess, and so I really didn't enjoy the read. I also love good historical fiction -- Gate of Fire, McCullough's Rome books -- and it's important to get the details right.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've definitely read ones where the author selected a big word just to show off.
Sorry, you won't learn any science in my books. Epic Ninja fail there.

Maria Zannini said...

$10 dollar words are more irritating than impressive.

I do a lot of research, whether I write historical or science fiction. For me, part of the fun is sharing some little known tidbit of information. It's like finding treasure.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I love big words and lovely language and learning something new, but I don't want anything to distract from the story itself. I don't want to be pulled out of the book's world.

mshatch said...

I don't mind a few big words sprinkled about but too much and it looks like the author is just showing off and that's a big turn off. And you WILL learn a little about history in my historical/time-traveling/romance/mystery :)

Cate Masters said...

I actually like obscure words. If they fit the context, the reader will get it. Especially these days, when texting is dumbing the language down to phonetics.
And yes, I love learning things from stories!

Unknown said...

I too like obscure or large words that challenge my reading. It usually doesn't occur to me that the writer is trying to show off. I figure, like me, they just love the juiciness of unique words-- there are so many to express what we see or experience. Michael Perry is one of the writers I love because his vocabulary challenges me every time, yet his story telling skills are wonderful!

momto8 said...

I like historical fiction the very best., or the classics. But my book clubs insist on the NYT best sellers, which I can read in the van with fighting kids and barking dogs and still completely understand the plot and depth of the characters....so I read those books for the social aspect and my books for the intellectual aspects.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Most of my fiction books didn't require a lot of research, but I did have to get a lot of sports facts straight. I probably researched most for the last one. Even got to converse with the head coach of Clemson's women's basketball team.

Tonja said...

I think it's best to use the right word - the perfect word for what you're trying to say - if there is one. If people have to look it up, that's what the internet's for, right? :)

Robin said...

Ah... the right word at the right time. So elusive, yet so important.

About that Longest Day thing. It has rained nearly all day here and been very overcast. It is feeling like one of the shortest days because it has been so DARK. The irony is lovely.

Mark Means said...

I haven't, yet, put down a book because it insulted my intelligence....but I should have, a couple of times.

I tend to read 'low brow', anyway :)

The Happy Whisk said...

It's been awhile since I read grown-up fiction, with twenty dollar words. So I can't really say.