Finding a new favourite book is delicious. Finding a new favourite AUTHOR is doubly delicious. It’s about as fantastic as eating the last chocolate sandwich in the universe — only to find there are potentially more chocolate sandwiches out there. Potentially with added sprinkles. JOY DOES NOT DESCRIBE THE DISCOVERY.
Because favourite author = more books (!!!!) from them in the future (!!!) for us to obsessively devour, discuss, and howl over.
But what happens when an author’s books all feel very similar? Is this a GOOD or a BAD thing?
Most authors have trademark voices or styles that you can expect. I mean, you can sniff a John Green book a mile away, right?! And no one would confuse a Rick Riordan book with a Rainbow Rowell, despite their names being alluringly alliterated. (Seriously they should co-write just because it’d look awesome on the front cover.) Most authors have a voice we come to expect and recognise. Although some are definitely more trademarked than others.
Also, authors tend to stick to one genre. NOT ALWAYS OF COURSE. (And I do whisper quietly to you, fiendish pineapples, that publishers often want authors to stay within one genre to build their brand. That’s why sometimes authors will write under a pseudonym when they switch genres. FUN TRIVA FROM CAIT MOMENT. Ahem.) But you usually pick up a book by a certain author and expect certain things. It’s logical!
Examples of Authorly Trademarks
- JOHN GREEN: Eloquent (pretentious?) spoken teens who like obscure things and have spontaneously BAD IDEAS ALL THE TIME. (Also everyone dies.) Themes often centre around thinking people are more than people…and this gets you into mega-big-trouble, so don’t do that, okay? Okay.
- MAGGIE STIEFVATER: Beautiful lyrical writing that you WANT TO STUFF IN YOUR MOUTH AND EAT. Complex characters. Slower moving plot. Expect magic and sarcasm…sometimes even magical sarcasm. And usually something really WEIRD: like searches for dead Welsh Kings or professional bagpipe playing. Also there will be cars.
- RICK RIORDAN: Dorky, sarcastic, and witty protagonists with a huge sidedish of mythology. Expect quests and monsters and prophecies. Intelligent girlfriends being 10000% done with their goofy boyfriends. Dialogue is the biggest awesome here. OH. And let’s not forget the random quirky craziness — like gods who watch soap operas or blue coke or magical hijabs.
- CASSANDRA CLARE: Angels and demons and stabby stabbing. Teens with epic hair and witty one-liners. And oh yeah…MASSIVELY HUGE WEAPON SIZED BOOKS. Plus obscure mythology references and biblical myths and prophecies.
I wouldn’t pick up a Louise O’Neill book and expect to laugh my head off. She writes about super tough topics and critiques society and discusses feminism. I wouldn’t pick up an Ally Carter book and expect to sob. She’s more for light-hearted fun actiony spy sequences.
….BUT. That all saying…
Does this mean we can assume author’s books are going to be similar to their previous works? SHOULD we want that? Are we going to critique their books if they’re too similar? Will we be blindsided if they’re too radically different???
HOW DO WE EVEN COPE WITH THIS? HOW. WHERE IS THE CAKE WE NEED HELP.
You know what we need right now?!
OBVIOUSLY A PROS AND CONS LIST FOR AUTHOR’S BOOKS BEING SIMILAR TO THEIR PREVIOUS WORKS.
P R O S
- YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. Lots of people like surprises, but come ooooon. There are TONS of pros to knowing what to expect! Time is precious. Most of us pick up books we want to enjoy. If I loved previous Awesome Author’s books…my excellent Sherlock skills deduce I’ll like the rest.
- IF YOU LOVE THE AUTHOR’S STYLE = YOU GET MORE OF IT! Where is the downside to this?! We often get mega-excited over books because we like the author’s style.
- IT CAN SATISFY A PARTICULARLY CRAVING. Which is handy for the mood readers.
- YOU GET TO EXPLORE A WORLD IN GREAT DETAIL. Because some authors do write massively within one universe which means you get to see moooooore of a world you might previously have fallen in love with and wish to marry at dawn.
C O N S
- THE BOOKS CAN SOUND TOO SAMEY SAMEY AFTER A WHILE. You get the deja vu moment of “Waaaaait, Bob, haven’t I read this before??????” and then you feel slightly cheated for waiting for an epic new story from Awesome Author only to feel like they’ve given you nothing new.
- IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE AUTHOR, IT BUGS YOU THAT THERE ARE 93839 MILLION BOOKS OF THEIRS EVERYWHERE. Okay! This is a kinda petty one!?? But it’s still an issue, right?! When you don’t like the author and they always right the same sort of stuff…there’s no point trying them again, right?! If they changed things up, maybe you’d be enticed to read. But as is? NOPITY NO.
- IF THEY STAY VERY CONSISTENT, YOU MIGHT GROW OUT OF THEIR WRITING. It’s sometimes a case of “Hey I grew up and you didn’t, Bob”. But it can be disappointing when the author’s writing/style doesn’t change and mature. Plus if they write things that are VERY much the same, you can get bored and decided to feed yourself to a squid for some variety in your life.
Personally? I really like knowing what to expect from an author.
I want their books to be different, OF COURSE, because I don’t want to re-read the same story. But I’m totally down for reoccurring themes and similar worlds and settings. I’m not going to throw down my chocolate sandwich in a rage because an author writes similar books. To me, it makes sense. We expect it from mortal-human-people-creatures right?! I know serious people and bubbly people — and while they have different moods and good days vs bad days…I still know WHO they are from how they act. Books are kind of like people in that way. Except less demanding for socialisation and easier to stuff into a bag and kidnap * if you like them a lot.
* What?!? You mean to tell me you’ve never kidnapped a book?! I have kidnapped books from my sister’s room and quietly never returned them. I’m like a really ninja sneaky BOOK THEIF within my own house.
Authors have to be mammothly talented to write copious amounts of books. Because they continually need NEW STUFF (especially if they want to make a career of it — and I say HUZZAH AND HURRAH to authors who are lucky enough to get multiple book deals and live off their passion!) and be NEW PEOPLE and imagine NEW SOCIETIES and put forth NEW ISSUES TO SOLVE. It’s kind of huge.
Obviously, too, we sometimes like ONE book by an author but then despise their sequel with the strength of 9 angry dragons. So there’s no “ONE ANSWER”. (Dangit. Why do all my discussions have 72 angles to view it from?? #help) But I do think it is perfectly acceptable for authors to write similar stories to their previous ones. They build a brand. They present their style. Not to say they can’t break out of the box, but I do so like to pick up a book and say “OH OH THIS DEFINITELY FEELS LIKE A BOOK BY [INSERT AWESOME AUTHOR HERE] AND I AM EXCITED FOR IT LIKE I AM EXCITED BY THE IDEA OF CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES”.
* FYI, I have never had a chocolate sandwich. Do such things exist???? Is the bread made from chocolate or is it chocolate between bread? And can I have one? Like now thanks?
I like knowing what to expect from the books too, Cait! And that’s why I love Cassandra Clare’s books so much. Her writing is so gorgeous! But my favorite will always be Rick Riordan ❤ His witty characters and dialogue is just 😍
Have you read his latest book? The Hidden Oracle?! I just completed it and it’s so great! It’s about Apollo 😊
YESSS, me too about Cassandra Clare! I GET SO EXCITED EVERY TIME SHE WRITES SOMETHING NEW. More Shadowhunters! That is what I NEED in my life. <3 And same with Rick Riordan. They're two authors I can honestly say I want to read everything of in their worlds. 😂 I HAVEN'T READ HIDDEN ORACLE YET!! But I'm going to buy it soon!
HEY this is an interesting topic! I should definitely pester my reader friends about this 😛 Anyway, I like authors who are consistent… but if and only if the characters DON’T have the same personalities or are just cardboard cutouts of each other and the plot seems recycled with the same pacing and dynamics.
One author I’m really excited about trying new genres is Marie Lu. Starting with Legend (sci-fi/dystopia I believe), The Young Elites (Dark fantasy), and now Warcross in 2017 (Cyberpunk) !!! It seems like every genre she writes she just gets better.
Ooh and guess what I picked up? Front Lines! I remembered you posted about it and realized I NEEDED it and my life and thus… I have it now XD
I TOTALLY AM WITH YOU ON THIS. *nods* I think I even am more okay for very-similar plots but not for the characters?!? Because the characters are the ones who CARRY the story, so they need to be different! Or it just feels like a replay, right?!
ZOMG I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT WARCROSS *shrieks* I need to go and add that on Goodreads immediately then. 😂 AHHHHH I’M SO GLAD YOU HAV EFRONT LINES. hehe. Let me know what you think of it?!?
I love your writing style and voice. All of your posts make me smile. I agree, especially early on when I’ve discovered a new awesome author. I want to read everything they put their pen to. However, after the third or fouth book where they all begin to sound the same and I can guess the ending a third of the way in – I’m done. I love a good story but don’t bore me.
Awwwww, thanks, Sheila!! <3 THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. heeh. And I totally get that after a while, with an author who writes too much the same, it can get tedious. *nods*
I like it when the voice of an author stays the same, but for me they don’t have to keep to one genre IF they’re good at more than one. I mean, if a contemporary author writes fantasy and it’s fantastic, that’s great, but if it’s not, stick to contemp plz. It doesn’t really matter to me as long as I enjoy their book and it has things I expect from said author that I actually like. However, there are a few authors that stick to one genre and one type of story and I am getting bored with their books (examples: Colleen Hoover, Katie McGarry, J. Lynn, K.A. Tucker & basically all NA authors). So I would like something different from them.
I myself don’t stick to one genre. I haven’t found “my voice” yet I think? But for me the characters are always the most important, even when I read. So there’s that. But so far my WIP’s range from YA Contemporary to YA (Urban Fantasy and Fairy Tale Retellings, so. All of them have wonderful characters that I love dearly.
I totally get that!! I kind of feel like that with Sarah J Maas?! I was SO shocked when ACOTAR was like the same world/style/faerie-vibe as Throne of Glass. Like it’s her THING, obviously, but I wanted something a little different. (But now I can’t even say anything because I’m just all turned off those books. ahah. 😂 BUT I DIGRESS. Ahem.)
*whispers* I don’t stick to one genre either. 😂 I’m either contemporary or fantasy mostly. HEY WE ARE TWINS IN WHAT GENRES WE LIKE TO WRITE *hi fives*
HAHA yes we are! I think it reflects the genres I like most when it comes to reading too. Because I’m always split on YA Contemporary and YA Fantasy when they ask my fave genre to read. So I think it’s natural to write in genres you love.
*whispers* I’m kinda feeling the same when it comes to Sarah J. maas too, no worries.
OH GOOD. We can huddle in the Maas-less corner and try not to be eaten alive by rabid fangirls. *builds pillow fort around us*
I like to know what to expect from an author in the case of ‘so-and-so just released a new book’ so I can expect a new epic fantasy, etc. I won’t freak out if the author’s books are the same; if I go back for more, I must like their style, right? But if I prefer a bit of difference (I’m so picky) in the plot and types of characters. If it feels like it’s the same book and MC over and over again I might be turned off.
(Also, I don’t know if chocolate ice cream sandwiches count as chocolate sandwiches? Or fairy bread with sprinkles. Both are brilliant, just like this post)! 😀
I totally get this! *nods* I’m more lenient towards plots that sound the same, so long as the characters are pretty varied. Or else it DOES feel ab it like just a rerun, eh?
DUDE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES JUST MADE THIS INFINITELY BETTER. *drools all over laptop*
Personally, I don’t care either way. I’m the kind of reader that if I LOVE a book from one author, I’ll give any book they publish a try and see how it goes.
But that’s just how I roll. 😛
Also I DO NOT (I REFUSE!!!) stick to one genre. Because that’s boring. And me no like boring. 😀 Again, that’s just me.
Yayyyyy. That is a good way to live, basically. 😂 AND THAT IS ME WITH MAGGIE STIEFVATER BOOKS. Honestly, she could write a non-fiction about turtles and I’d still read it.
(No I’m not obsessed why do you ask.)I like knowing what to expect from certain authors, especially when you’re in the mood for something. With Cecelia Ahern, you know you’re going to be smiling a lot and expecting a little bit of magic here and there. With Brandon Sanderson, you’ll get incredible world-building (and about four plot twists). With Kasie West, you get the cutest stories.
On the other hand, should they want to write a different genre for a bit, they should totally do that. Just to spice things up.
Yesssss. Brandon Sanderson is AMAZING and I definitely go into his books wanting epic well-thought-out plots and magic-systems *nods* And I think it’s totally cool when authors show they can write in multiple genres too. Like, TIME TO STAND HERE IN SUPER AWE.
Hmm, this is something I’ve not thought of but probably should have. For me, it really depends on the authors. Like, I love Maggie Stiefvater’s voice, her writing style is great. Libba Bray, Meagan Spooner and Amie Kaufman also come under this – their world building is great. There are differences in the stories, but the style is similar and it’s just wonderful.
But then there are some authors who come across very formulaic because their stories just seem the same across the board. So, it honestly really depends HOW SIMILAR and HOW DIFFERENT their stories are?
Does this make sense, Cait? Lol. But definitely something I should be thinking of more.
YES! I totally agree! Especially with Maggie Stiefvater. <33 Her stories always seem similar but still VERY different in actual plot/storyline?!? WHICH IS GOOD. *nods* Same with Aime Kaufman! So far I expect epic sci-fi things from her, but they all seem unique yet definitely HER.
YES IT MAKES SENSE. 😂 It's a VERY huge question, right?!
This is SUCH an interesting discussion!
I do love when authors keep a consistent writing style. Maggie Stiefvater and Rick Riordan, and I also love the writing of Kiersten White and Rachel Hawkins. They write completely different stories (well, not Rick Riordan…), but you can tell it’s written by them, so I can always be sure that I’ll love whatever they write.
And even though Rick Riordan’s stories are all basically the same, I still love them, because his characters vary so much.
And he’s HILARIOUS!
I even don’t mind when they write a lot set in the same world…as long as it’s done well (I will admit, I’m getting a little bored with Cassandra Clare…City of Heavenly Fire was way too long, and felt too much like a set up for TDA, when it was supposed to be an ending for TMI). But I also sometimes want the authors to do something different, because I like reading different genres, but I also want to keep reading my favourite authors.
Although, it does complicate bookshelf sorting, since I sort by author and genre and if the author writes a book in a different genre I have to put the books somewhere away from the other books by that author and that’s annoying.
Rick Riordan does tend to have very similar stories.😂 BUT YET I’M STILL ADDICTED TO THEM??? So obviously he’s not doing something too wrong. ahha. AHEM. The hilarious totally helps also.😂
But seriously, the shelf sorting is really rude of authors. I sort by colour and get mad enough that publishers don’t make covers all be the same colour in series. SHEESH. Or height? Like seriously, Lady Midnight is HALF A MILLIMETER taller than the rest of the TMI series. #rude
Anne Elisabeth Stengl, one of my top three favorite authors, has a very distinctive style, and I love it. It’s so beautiful and somehow fairy-tale and epic at the same time and I wish I could write like her. And I’d argue that Sanderson’s style is pretty recognizable as well. And, in general, I like when an author sticks to their style and similar themes and stuff . . . or if they’re going to experiment, that they keep something else familiar from other books. That way, I can say “Yes, I know I will love this book!” and read without fear of disappointment. (Though, of course, there’s always the fear of “What will they do to the characters next? Please don’t hurt my babies too much!”)
Oh OH I agree about Sanderson! Although I probably am not allowed to agree because I’ve only read Steelheart and Firefight…and the first Mistborn book. But they still feel HIM?? And his complex magic (or epic) systems really stand out too!!
And I like that knowledge that I’ll be reading something I LIKE when I pick up their book. :’) It also makes buying books unread easier. 😂
I love knowing what to expect too but not to the point where it becomes obvious. Do you know what I mean?
I despise knowing if everyone will die, if there’s definitely going to be a happy ever after or knowing that the dog will always live. I like continuity but not so that it’s obvious because I STILL WANT TO READ THE BOOK, EXPERIENCE THE STORY AND COME OUT OF IT GOING, ‘THIS IS WONDROUS’ and I don’t think books are wondrous when they’re predictable.
I kind of think this relates to all writers, not just authors because I like people having blogging voices. I LIVE for your blogs because I know there will be snacks involved and that I laugh but I like how unpredictable your blog is because I never know what you’re going to end up posting about.
Also, hand me one of those Chocolate Sandwiches!
YESSSS. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN!! Which is why I think I was so happy with Lady Midnight…because it had all of Cassandra Clare’s token things, buuut it was also a murder mystery, which is different to her usual?! SO HECK YES TO THAT. And that’s probably what I want to see from most authors: consistency but a new storyline. *nods*
And omg you are so right about it translating to blogs too. I mean, WOULDN’T IT BE REALLY WEIRD IF I SUDDENLY STARTED WRITING SENSIBLE POSTS AND NEVER TALKED ABOUT CAKE?????? Everyone would think I’d died and my dog had taken over my blog. I do like it when I know a blogger’s style and that they’re consistent too.😂 LIKE YOUR BLOGGING VOICE = EXCELLENT, BTW, I LOVE IT.
*shares chocolate sandwiches with you*
Another great post from you, Cait!
Thank you
I can’t stop smiling and nod while reading this.
I agree with you. When I like an author, I expect them to stay the same for being awesome.
But for author who I hate, I hate them when they did not change. I did not like them before and now they stay the same. Argh!
But human is not perfect. I can not like everyone, after all.
THANK YOU, HANA. YOU ARE SO KIND. <3
And that's so true, actually...for authors we love vs the ones we hate. I'll read books by authors I've previously not liked in hopes that their style has changed. 😂
Rick Riordan DEFINITELY has a trademark style, though I think it’s gotten a lot more zany since PJO. I’ve loved loved LOVED this guy’s stuff since I picked up the Horrible Histories Greeks world book day book when I was eleven/twelve, and flipped it over to find Sword of Hades on the back (best accidental book buy ever). You’ve converted me to Maggie Stiefvater too (can’t wait to hear what she’s writing next 🙂 ). When authors write in different genres, I tend to pick and choose. Joanne Harris has written in every genre under the sun (give or take), but I just read her mythological fantasy stuff.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with stories or characters being similar, just so long as the author’s done SOMETHING different. Play with the concept. Swap character personalities around. Move the setting halfway around the world. Whatever you have to do to turn it into a different story. 😉
AHHHHHHHHHH STIEFVATER CONVERT. :’) This truly makes my day. *shrieks happily* I will read EVERYTHING SHE WRITES OF EVER and I’m so so excited for her standalone. I can’t wait for more details. Omg.
And AGREED. I think there is goodness in consistency too? Like I’m fully sur eof what Trials of Apollo while be when it arrives, and I’m 100% okay with that. It actually makes it easier for me to spend money on books when I know what the author’s going to give me.😂 But yeah…no reruns. But consistency is fine with me too!
OMG CAIT, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS STRESSES ME OUT. So here’s the thing: FRAYED is a contemporary mystery/psychological thriller. But I know that there’s only a very very very small chance I’ll ever write anything like that again. Literally every other WIP I have is either sci-fi or high fantasy, because those are the two genres that I love to death. Don’t get me wrong: I love FRAYED to bits; it was a novel that challenged me SO MUCH because it wasn’t in a genre that I wrote often. But it legitimately freaks me out that I’ll find it difficult to ever publishing anything again because of that, y’know? -drowns in self doubt and pitying-
Awesome post, Cait. 🙂
AHHHH DON’T DROWN, KARA. *sends you life raft made out of chocolate* I actually 100% get this and this post kiiiind of half comes out of me freaking out over the same thing.😂 I’m like a fantasy addict. I AM. But my agent and I are working on a contemporary novel. *frets for a thousand years* I ultimately want to write EVERYTHING but that’s actually really hard apparently since publishers like consistency. Can we just cry together? Yes? CHOCOLATE ALL ROUND.
I don’t mind reading my favourite author’s books if they are consistent or not. I kind of oppose change in my life actually 😅 I love reading Rick Riordan’s books, even if they are only on mythology or Cassandra Clare’s books even if they are only set in the Shadowhunter world. I don’t mind!
Yay for Sherlock references! (Currently trying to not drown in the pool of despair as I wait for the fourth season 😑)
AHHH ME TOO, ALEXANDRA.😂 I actually get worried when my favourite authors start new series and it’s not their usual thing. I LIKE CONSISTENCY AND PREDICTABILITY YES.😂 AHem. Cassandra Clare can write endless Shadowhunter books and I will be happy. <3
The main thing I want an author to be consistent in is their writing. If I’ve read a character’s fantasy novels and they are well written and engaging, then I expect their other books to be just as good and thrilling even if they are written in a different genre. But if I like the genre’s, I don’t care if all the author’s books are in the same one or not.
And I LOVE Tolkien. He has a dramatic epic style which I don’t think anyone writes anymore, but which is absolutely thrilling to read.
Also, do ice cream sandwiches with chocolate ice cream inside count as a chocolate sandwich? 😉
*nods* I AGREE. I think their writing/style needs to be consistent. Otherwise we might as well be reading something from a different writer, right?!?
SANDWICHES WITH CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM?!?! I need. In my life. Right now.
I think a Nutella sandwich would qualify as a chocolate sandwhich. I have never had one, but I have eaten it on toast, yummo, and one of the children I babysit eats it in a sandwich with marshmnallow fluff. I think the later you might have to be under 12 to appreciate. Ha! I had never thought about this much before. I think the first time I seriously confronted it was when JKR wrote The Casual Vacancy; which I adored. I would not have read her Galbrath books, knowing it was her or not, because I don’t like detectivey type mysteries. I think it doesn’t matter because there are so many other authors out there. I like both being able to know it will be some of the same content I love and excited to see what they do with a new genre or classification. This is happening right now with my love of A.G. Howard. I really hate the storyline of Phantom of the Opera, and won’t be reading the RoseBlood books, but I am looking forward to reading her Adult Gothic Romance, The Architect Of Song (although I will admit it is scaring me that I won’t like it because… romance). I am also glad some authors switch it up because I hated Vicious by Schwab. Her “superhero” super powers system had too many holes in it for my liking, but her magical system for A Darker Shade Of Magic was wonderful. I can understand when a person likes a certain genre or trope and hates it when a favorite author mixes it up a bit, but then there is the possibility they will force themselves to read the new style writing and find a who!e new type of storytelling they love. Thanks for another superb thinking cap post. 🙂
I MISS NUTELLA. *cries because mild nut allergy* But that would definitely be a glorious sandwich and I’m 100% going to write it into my books at some point BECAUSE REASONS.
I do like it when I end up reading something I wouldn’t have picked up before…just because I’m following around a beloved author!😂 Although aww, you’re not reading Roseblood? I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND!! But I’m super excited for it. Hehe. AND for her adult series. Although I’m scared of that one too because — ADULT SERIES AHHHHHH. Ahem.
I like authors to be consistent, but not write the same story over and over again, just with different characters. My favorite author is Marie Lu, and she does have a distinct writing style, but she still writes in different genres. I also like Marissa Meyer, but I can’t say anything about consistency since she’s only written one series. Leigh Bardugo is one of those authors that writes in one big universe, but the stories have nowhere near the same plot line. I never actually think about author consistency that much, so it’s never bothered me. Great post!
I’m looking forward to reading Heartless so I can see how Marissa Meyer’s style varies. EEEEP. And Leigh Bardugo is AMAZING OMG. I know she’s only written Grisha books so far, but both series have been SO different. <3 But yes! The style still remains and that's what I do love. :')
I don’t really mind authors who don’t stray away from their writing styles. It’s actually quite convenient, especially when I’m on my rare cases of mood reading. If I feel like reading about people dying or just want to read a light contemporary romance, I’d know whose book to read. 🙂
Of course, I wouldn’t mind if authors escape from their comfort zones too. It would be interesting to read a fantasy author try writing a contemporary, for example. Or a contemporary author writing a horror novel. 😀
EXACTLY! It helps us figure out what we want, right?! And I’ll go back to authors again and again because I know their style and that’s waht I feel like devouring at dawn. :’) GOOD TIMES.
I LOVE this post! But before I say anything about it, I have to say that I got completely distracted when I saw The Rose & The Dagger in that first photo. I NEED that book and I haven’t been able to get it yet!
I like when authors have distinctive styles, but not when all of their books are the same, and I think that’s a really fine line. I think a great example of that is Kasie West – all of her books rely on sarcasm for humor and have main characters with strong family relationships and/or friendships. Most of her books are contemporaries, but her Pivot Point duology had some paranormal/sci-fi aspects. And they all feel like Kasie West books, but at the same time, each one is so distinct that I’d never mix them up. I like when authors branch out into different genres, but I like knowing a little bit of what to expect, even if it’s just something as simple as “the writing will be ridiculously beautiful” or “there will be parts that make you cry.”
I NEED TO READ IT. WHY HAVEN’T I, CLARA??? I HAVE NO EXCUSE EXCEPT FOR NERVES. I just don’t want my ship to sink. *howls* Ahem.
I have only read ONE Kasie West book (gaps; for shame on me) but that is really cool that she maintains the style but does different things with it. I think that should be goals. *nods* I DO so like when an author has a really distinct style and I know what’s coming and that it’ll be awesome in that respect. :’)
FIRST, I NEED A CHOCOLATE SANDWICH RN TOO. Hmm I’m thinking fluffy white bread (heaven *wilts*) with like very chocolatey chocolate buttercream frosting type chocolate inside. YEP DONE. I WANT ONE NOW. “…you can get bored and decide to feed yourself to a squid for some variety in your life.” *WIPES LITERAL TEARS* omg dude you know how I was talking about on my blog the other day how when I have bad days/bad moods I have no idea how to make myself feel better??? WELL I FIGURED IT OUT I SHOULD JUST COME O’RE TO YOUR LOVELY BLOG BECAUSE EVERY TIME I READ ONE OF YOUR POSTS I’M CRACKING UP ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IT JUST MAKES MY HEART HAPPY OKAY? OKAY. <3
I honestly have no idea which of these I prefer. I think I'd go with what you said — I wouldn't want the style to necessarily change, but I'd like to see some new plot and characters?? BASICALLY PLOT AND CHARACTERS BEING DIVERSE AND DIFFERENT = ALL I CARE ABOUT. xD “What?!? You mean to tell me you’ve never kidnapped a book?!” << hmmm I know a particular girl with honey halo hair who kidnapped a book once and got into quite a bit of trouble… 😉
STAHHHHHP. YOU’RE GIVING ME A CRAVING OMG. *builds house of chocolate, lives in it, eats it* I actually have never had anything remotely like a chocolate sandwich before?? I think I’m missing out on life.
OMGGGG. *tackle hugs you* THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO HAPPY. <333 ALL THE CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES FOR YOU.
Ahem, anyway. POST. That's what we were talking about, yes. SO! I agree with you *nods sagely*...consistency in style, but we want new storylines.
(And now you see that my writing life and my blogging life tend to squish into each other now and then. #noregrets)
Brandon Sanderson. Aaalllllllllll the Sanderson. It’s actually killing me that he has two books and a novella out right now that I’ve never read (one of which is sitting on my TBR stack but it’s hard to find time to read with two kids. :/ )
AHHH I FEEL THE PAIN. I actually only just started on Sanderson and I’m about to start Calamity! *shrieks* HIS BOOKS ARE SO GOOD.
I do love authors that have their own trademark, like John Green or Rick Riordan, it makes them really unique and different. What I don’t want is author that keep using the same formula within their books. Sometimes it’s okay, but after a while it’s just like “ENOUGH”. I love Clare’s writing, it’s not too hard to understand, with witty and sarcastic comments but really?? Another shadowhunter books? (and 2 more future series I think) Or Rick Riordan. I appreciate that he tries to write about different mythology, but the plot is a bit overused (even though some of them doesn’t exactly follow it, but it’s similar.) It makes the book kind of predictable… I’d love it if they try something new, like new genre or topic but still with their trademarks. I think it’s going to be amazing 😀
TOTALLY AGREE!! We want the voice and the style, but we don’t want reruns. *nods*
But honestly I LOVE Cassandra Clare and every time I hear a new book announced, I get so so excited. 😀 So I think it’s also about which author you like and how MUCH you like them, right?!😂
Ehhh YES MAGGIE STIEFVATER BECAUSE SARCASTIC GREAT PROTAGONISTS AND MAGIC BUT IT’S STILL ALWAYS DIFFERENT. Am I going confuse Blue and Grace or Gansey and Sam, NO I AM NOT.
OK but I have a weird con to add. CHARACTER LOYALTY. It’s when you feel so loyal to one set of characters you don’t like reading about another. So when I read Amber and Milo and Glen bantering, I was transported to Skulduggery and Valkyrie and Fletcher (because those trios are basically the same, I made an infographic to illustrate it.) I would say Landy has a trademark humorous voice so a lot of the jokes/dynamics were fairly similar, but I hated laughing with Amber/Milo because I felt disloyal to V and S? Because I couldn’t stop thinking about V and S, because (obviously) I associated Landy’s writing style with them first and foremost, and so Demon Road was just like the younger sibling of Skulduggery that I couldn’t like as much. IT WAS REALLY PERTURBING. And maybe if he’d not written such similar characters I wouldn’t have been making those (unfavourable to DR) comparisons.
ALSO MY MUG ARRIVED TODAY! 😀 😀 😀
ABSOLUTELY. IT JUST PROVES MAGGIE STIEFVATER IS PERFECTION. The only characters I think who are sort of similar are Cole and Ronan…and even then THEY’RE STILL SO SO DIFFERENT. AFDSJAKLDA. *tries to calm self*
*fails*
Ahem.
Eh yes, I do agree that Amber/Milo/Glen are EXACTLY THE SAME dynamics as Skulduggery/Val/Fletcher. I noticed that too. :/ And it wasn’t that I disliked Amber’s squad? I STILL LIKE THEM OF COURSE…but I did have a small life crisis over it too. So you’re not alone. *nods*
AFDJKSLAD THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BUYING FROM MY STORE THOUGH. <333 YOU PRECIOUS BEAN.
Before we get down to the topic at hand, I will just say: YES TO MAGGIE STIEFVATER WRITING PROSE YOU WANT TO PUT IN YOUR MOUTH AND GOBBLE UP!! Especially fresh off of The Raven King. OMGGGG ♥♥♥ PYNCH FOR EVERRRR!!à
*ahem*
Ok so, I don’t mind at all that authors have a signature style or voice, obviously. If I loved it in one book/series, I’ll want more. I don’t mind certain recurring themes but I don’t want the books to become repetitive either. I feel like Maggie Stiefvater is the perfect example (isn’t she always?!) The Wolves of Mercy Falls, The Scorpio Races and The Raven Cycle all have her signature yummy prose, sass and mystical magical elements, but the stories are nothing alike at their core. Nor are the characters. And that’s why she’s a GODDESS!!! Excellent discussion post as usual Cait^^ xx
*FLAILS IN STIEFVATER APPRECIATION WITH YOU* I JUST WANT TO LOVE AND HUG HER WRITING FOREVER BECAUSE HOW IS IT SO INCREDIBLE??? WHERE ARE MY EMOTIONS??? OMGGGGG.
*collapses in a puddle of post-Raven-King trauma*
And yes Maggie Stiefvater is the perfect example of flawless wonder. <3 Her style and voice are ALWAYS THERE but the storylines and plots and characters are always so different. <33 Although I do argue that Cole and Ronan have a lot in common. :') They should never meet, though. They'd kill each other.
I take it you have read Magnus Chase? Because that book is fantastic, and I can’t wait for the next book this fall!
Also, I think there is such a thing as a chocolate sandwich, or at least there could be (I have actually put a lot of thought into this XD). It would be chocolate bread with a melted chocolate spread over it, and then slices of chocolate in between. It would be PERFECTION.
Some authors use phrases over and over until it gets tiring, and then you constantly feel like you’ve already read the book/chapter if there is phrasing or dialogue that is TOO similar. I’m all for “if something works use it again”, but not when it’s taken to that extreme.
YESSSS I’M LIKE 99% SURE MAGNUS CHASE IS MY FAVOURITE YET!! *flails* I seriously want aaall the Riordan Books. <3 I just ordered Apollo too!!
I put a lot of thought into chocolate sandwiches too and the intense amount of variations possible. I feel like the more chocolate THE BETTER in this situation.
It depends on my mood but I would say that most of the time I like knowing what is going to happen in the sense that I’m used to the author’s work. But I also like the element of surprise, so I guess it would be even more awesome if an author could deviate a bit. But i’m good either way,.
So…BOTH. BOTH IS GOOD.😂
I think it’s one thing to work in the same overall genre, like Stephen King and horror or Ann Patchett and contemporary literary fiction. I do have an issue when authors turn into one-trick ponies. For example, the author of Still Alice, Lisa Genova has started writing fictional accounts of people suffering from terrible health situations- it’s getting old. I think it shows much more depth and talent when an author challenges themselves to work in other areas.
*nods* I agree!! I want to see new story lines from authors, even if they stick to one genre! If it gets too predictable then they’re not going to keep old fans right?!?
I think that authors should be able to write whatever they want. If they want to write 1000 books on dragons and they are all different in some way, then go for it. But there is a fine line between writing a book in the same universe and repackaging the same story. I have actually stopped reading books from some authors because I found that they got repetitive after a while. I did not hate their writing or anything, but I kept feeling like I had already read it again. I think that John Green is a good example. He is extremely consistent and I think that he is a fantastic writer, but some of his stories seems to blur together for me. I think that it is important for authors to distinguish between their works, like Rick Riordan. Mythology is his trademark, but he focuses on different facets of it, like Roman, Greek, and Norse.
I really enjoy reading books from authors that are outside of their normal works. For example, Victoria Schwab. She switches from YA to adult, from focusing on villains to magical Londons. Nothing that she writes is ever the same, except for how awesome it is. Most authors do not peek outside of their comfort zones, but a lot of readers would be more than willing to pick up a book from their favorite author that is outside of their normal genre.
Well I suppose it depends on if they’re traditionally published or not.😂 Because they are working for a company (the publishers) so things aren’t generally “do what you want”…unfortunately! BUT YEAH. In a well-ordered universe it would be aaaamazing if authors could just write whatever they wanted, in whatever genre. <3
I do think John Green's books are very very similar. Some of his protagonists DEFINITELY feel like the same person??? Although, honestly, I have the whole of Rick Riordan's first Percy Jackson series a complete TANGLE in my brain because I felt the books were all too similar. >_< AHH VE SCHWAB IS PERFECT AND FLAWLSS. She has such a great style! (But I do whisper again, it's often not the author who chooses not to change genre. :P)
I think it’s fine if an author’s works are similar but if they’re writing in two completely different genres, then I would typically expect them to be different and hope for it. For example, I LOVE Kasie Wests’s contemporary novels. I haven’t read Pivot Point yet, but I’m hoping that it does have a different feel to it since it is a different type of story.
Of course, I’m fine with authors writing similar novels like Rick Riordan. They’re all related in some way/in the same type of vein so I expect them to be somewhat similar but also want to be able to differentiate from them. But then again, Mindy McGinnis is good example. She writes completely different stories but they’re all marked with her specific style, which really pulls her brand together even though she’s written dystopian and historical (I except her contemporary to have the same mark).
I’m opposite.😂 Because even if they write different genres, I still want to see their trademark voice and style. hehe. Like Markus Zusak?!? I can still tell it’s HIM despite him writing wildly different genres. *nods*
AHHH I HAVE ONLY READ ONE MINDY MCGINNIS BUT I NEED MORE.
Some authors I don’t mind if their consistent, and some I do. Like I don’t think there should be another selection book after The Crown by Kiera Cass, unless its a novella. If I really like a author I don’t care if there new book is similar. Like Sarah J. Maas is all about faeries. and I don’t care. I learned about faeries through Sarah J. Maas books, and I need more. Sarah J. Maas is the author I can’t get enough of. Every sentence feels like the best quote I ever read. I feel like Sally Green should write more books in the Half Bad world. Like one of “SPOILERS* Edge’s life, and him growing up *END OF SPOILERS*. I need more Sally Green. I also need more of the Lady Midnight series. How long do I have to wait for the next book?!
I WANT A MILLION BOOKS BY SALLY GREEN. I’m just sitting here hoping to the bookish universe that she won’t be a one-series-wonder OR ELSE I WILL ACTUALLY COMBUST AND DIE. *shrieks*
And omg did you know we’re getting TWO Cassandra Clare books next year!?! FLAIL WITH ME LEAH.
I did not! WHAT?! Afishlaxjidjfjrfififjyeifbfrvoqa! What books. The next book in the Dark Artifices series, I knew about. What is the other one?!
Omg I just checked Goodreads and it looks like it’s been pushed back to 2018 *CRIES* I assume you know of Chain of Thorns? I swore it said 2017 not so long ago…
As long as you can tell the genre is different: the cover and blurb. Than it should be fine for an author to write different genres. There will always be complainers though.
*Pulls out Nutella spread sandwich* Here, this is what I have as a chocolate sandwich. Actually, I think I’ve had bread made with chocolate right in it.
YES there will always be complainers.😂 Can’t please everyone!
I seriously am craving nutella now. WHO STARTED TALKING ABOUT CHOCOLATE SANDWICHES?? THEY ARE A TORTURER. (Oh wait…that was me….)
Fascinating discussion Cait! I don’t mind if authors have a trademark, but if they all sound the same after a while I tend to tune out. Because there DOES need to be something new and fresh to keep us reading right? (Eg. Richelle Mead really lost her spark with me after a while with VA and Bloodlines). There’s something to be said about an author that can still write in a similar way, but keep us on our toes!
*nods* I TOTALLY AGREE. I think they need consistent voice and style? But different content…but then again I’ma rabid fan of Cassandra Clare and Rick Riordan and they keep coming out with VERY similar content.😂 So it definitely depends. hehe.
I like an author who has all kinds of different things up their sleeves. I don’t like expecting what an author will publish, write, or create next. While I can be quite impatient with these things, I also really like being surprised in a book. It also blows my mind when an author is good AT MORE THAN ONE GENRE. However, I do have some authors that always baffle me, despite the similarities of their books.
I do think authors are particularly amazing when they can handle more than one genre! THAT TAKES TALENT FOR SURE.
Oooo this is good. I suppose authors sort of have to be writing similar stuff because of the things you mentioned… May be the publishers demand that… And other times may be the authors themselves feel like they are attached to a certain genre. Take my favorite author for example: Haruki Murakami. He is the kind of Gothic literature with the best kind of magical realism imaginable. And I have come to expect this from him and reach for his books without having to wonder what’s to be in store. I do not get surprises but I don’t get bored either because, while the genre is the same, he deals with different subject matters, which of course, keep things in perspective, and fresh!
All that said, some time ago I read a book by this very same author that had not a single drop of magical of the magical realism I’ve come to expect from him. But I was not disappointed either because the author’s very distinct style was still there and the writing was superb!
I guess I kinda liked knowing that this guy can write normal stuff just as well as his not so normal stuff… Which essentially makes him a better writer, in my opinion.
But yeah, I still dig his trademark style and when in the mood, I know his work won’t disappoint me. Just knowing that is a major relief.
Your favourite author sounds like an EXCELLENT writer, then, if he’s got that balance down perfectly. 😀 I think that is the ideal balance — you know what to expect, but it’s still unique and different. *flails*
Uhmmmm… I never thought of this until now. Oh, yes, I want the author to be consistent especially if she’s writing a series but in another book? Can she/he be like Rainbow Rowell? OH yes, that woman. I don’t usually expect from authors. I expect more of the story, of the book. *Wink and eats the cake prepared by Jenny Han for her sequel of PS I Still Love You!
OMG RAINBOW ROWELL IS AMAZING. *flails rainbowishly* And I love how she can write a gorgeous contemporary and an magical fantasy and IT’S STILL HER AMAZING VOICE BUT THEY’RE VERY DIFFERENT.
(Also *whispers* I just borrowed out To All the Boys :D)
This is a tough one for me – on the one hand, I want the author to stick to what they do best. Sophie Kinsella is a GREAT example of that. Her books are witty, her heroines are a bit daft, but they’re also warm and loveable and you want to be their BFF, and that works for SO MANY AUTHORS and I’m fine with that.
But, on the other hand, one of my absolute favourite authors Paige Toon has a love triangle IN EVERY SINGLE BOOK and that drives me insane. So much so, that I didn’t even finish her latest book The Sun In Her Eyes, or her second Jessie Jefferson book, because I just couldn’t deal with it ANY MORE.
I read a lot of Chick Lit/Women’s Fiction, and the trouble is a lot of those books follow the same formula so a lot of the tropes do get irritating after a while, but in YA I don’t particularly mind so much as I haven’t read as much (yet).
UGH I HEAR YA. So basically it really honestly depends on the AUTHOR and how they go about it and if or if not it works, right?!?😂 I have authors I get frustrated when they’re too similar…and others I DON’T CARE, I JUST WANT TO DEVOUR ALL THERI BOOKS. *nods* I feel like dystopians also follow a very strict formula??? Which makes them a bit dull if an author writes TONS of books in the genre. 🙁
I know right? Most of Cassandra Clare’s books have basically the same characters but slightly different plot lines – fiery female character, the sweet boy and the sarcastic boy. Just because they’re the same family doesn’t mean they have the same personality! And yeah, John Green bases all his books on teenagers who don’t fit in. It’s a good theme – don’t get me wrong! – but it gets a bit tiring after a while. This is an awesome post Cait! 🙂
Bahah. 😂 I mean, I sort of agree (although omg I wouldn’t call Jace “sweet”😂) but I still somehow ADORE all of Cassandra Clare’s books?! I think it’s because I know what I’m getting and I’m 100% okay with that. *nods* BUT YEAH. It’s good to have different themes. I honestly feel like several of John Green’s protagonists are the SAME. PERSON. Which is weird….
Actually this is one I worry about as a WRITER because, you know, I like to write ALL the things. I’m just greedy like that. I wouldn’t want to be stuck writing contemporary my whole life. But I DO love when authors have a trademark style – like Jodi Picoult, for example. I always know I’ll get an epic court battle and feels. Which is good.
But authors who can write in multiple genres are just GOALS.
*whispers* Me too. 😂 As you have seen with going from Blood to Tremolo. AWK. Ahem. But YOU DO GENRE SWITCHES SO SO WELL TOO. And I think your style is very strong *nods* So even though, like I read a cancer-bucket-list story from you and flipped over to a nonsense-magical-retelling…it still felt YOU and I think that’s awesome. :’)
I’ve had chocolate sandwiches that are just bread with chocolate sprinkles. They were delicious.
That sounds beautiful and divine and I NEED ONE IMMEDIATELY.
That moment when you sneak in a John Green reference when talking about John Green seamlessly. *high five*
This is such an interesting topic because I *think* I want to know what to expect from my favourite authors, but I don’t like the idea of them shackled down to one genre. Unless they’re Sarah J. Maas, in which case she can stay right where she is and keep pumping out the books. I feel like I’m most relaxed when I know they’re writing stuff along the same lines because they’ve already proved that they can do it and therefore I don’t need to sit up at night worrying that they’re going to do historical non-fiction about the Pope who then accidentally gets eaten by a dragon. That could get confusing.
I love with Colleen Houck how her new series – the Reawakened series – is drawing on Ancient Egypt and her first series – the Tiger’s Curse series – is on Ancient India. These things are nice and compatible and pretty looking. *nodding*
AHHHH YOU CAUGHT THAT. *extra cake for you* 😂 #winning
And YES. I do like it when an author has passed the “prove yourself” test and you just are happy to read whatever they write. Although, c’mon it’d be a bit weird of Sarah J Maas started writing fluffy contemporaries, right?! 😂 (But dude, the Pope gets eaten by a dragon would be an intensely interesting story….)
I STILL NEED TO READ REAWAKENED. The covers = <3 I love how her covers are consistently GORGEOUS too.
I totally am a mood reader so it can be really nice to know what to expect. For example if I want to read something dark with maaany very beloved and soon to be very dead characters I read a book by Marie Lu. Or if I’m in a good mood I read a book by Tolkien who btw is my favorite author. I love anything he wrote because while the story may be different his writing style is not and ahhh I love that writing style of his (although I can understand why many don’t: it is rather full of descriptions and purple prose but who cares?). So yeah, there are quite some positive aspects if an author’s work is consistent. Another beloved author of mine -Kim Harrison- completely switched genre after finishing her Rachel Morgan series: from fantasy to scifi/thriller….and I can’t say I’m happy about it. 🙁 But I actually know an author who constantly writes about very, very different topics and I really like it! Alison Goodman wrote about aliens, a filmmaker, dragons and right now she writes regency and magical stuff (Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club). So it can be nice if an author writes something completely different (and I imagine it can be fun to do something new?) and you are surprised -in a positive way- but mostly I like to know what to expect (sorry…).
Omg “soon to be very dead characters” <--- THAT IS THE BEST DESCRIPTION OF EVER RIGHT THERE. 😂 Ahem. But yes, I totally agree! I LIKE knowing what I'm going to get from an author, because half the time it's why I pick up their books. You wouldn't pick up Marie Lu and expect a fluffy contemporary. It would be weeeeird.
What I’ve found is that even if an author writes more than one genre, if I read one of their books and find that I like it, there is a good chance that I will like their other books simply because they are good at writing. For example, I am currently reading Carry On by Rainbow Rowell and I LOVE it and I also read Elinor and Park and really liked that too (not quite as much just because I’m not as into contemporary romance, but it was really well written) and those two books are of totally different genres but I knew that anything by Rainbow Rowell would be good after I read her first book just because I could tell she was a good author.
YESS I THOROUGhlY AGREE! And I also LOVE how Rainbow Rowell has a very distinct style…like nerdy/contemporary/ish. But it still translated to Carry On JUST FINE. Yet that was completely different to what she usually writes. (She is talented omg.)
Nutella and bread = MOST PERFECT COMBINATION EVER!
I like knowing what to expect from a certain author. I’m a mood reader, so it helps to know what author will evoke what emotions. I especially love authors that write similar-esque characters in their different books/series. I’m reading Tamora Pierce right now and she always writes really strong-willed female characters who aren’t afraid to stick up for themselves and others. But she also writes the funny-breaking all the rules-getting into fights-charming male characters that you just want to squeeze!
DUDE. YES. OF COURSE. *summons dragons to hunt for nutella*
Ahem. But yes. YES. I think it’s nice, sometimes, to know what you’re going to get from an author?! It’s comforting. 😂
I don’t mind if an author does different things with plot or theme. If I pick up a book by an author I’ve enjoyed in the past, I’m not necessarily expecting the same sort of story… but I would be a little perplexed if the voice and writing style were totally different.
Diana Wynne Jones is an author whose books are kind of similar… and yet not. She wrote quite a few that drew on mythology or were inspired by fairy tales… but then she also wrote some that were more original (but still fantasy). I liked knowing what you were going to get when you picked up one of her books.
Charles de Lint is another author whose books are similar… and yet not. Many are set in his own fictional city of Newford, but his stories range from incorporation of Celtic myths and Native American myths to stories about people getting caught within a computer system.
One author I’ve been a bit confused by is Lauren Oliver. There’s a definite difference between her YA titles and her MG ones. And I’ve heard there’s a real difference in quality between Before I Fall (which I loved) and some of her other YA books (which I can’t bring myself to read for fear I’ll be disappointed).
So totally agreed! I mean, you go BACK to an author because you liked what they gave you to start with, right?! So if you wanted something 100% different…you might as well pick up a different book. I just like knowing what STYLE I’m going to get from a certain author. Like Rainbow Rowell writes mostly nerdy contemporary…but then when she wrote magical realism it still WORKED because she kept the nerdy-contemporary tone and just added to it.
Omg, yes Lauren Oliver does have HUGELY different styles. I’ve read 3 of her books and they could ALL be written by different authors. (Vanishing Girls was aaaamazing though and I STILL need to read Before I Fall! Isn’t there a movie coming out?)
Great post, Cait! For me, I think it’s all about balance. Sure, an author can have their trademark style, but you’ve got to make sure each book stays fresh. I think romance and crime genres in particular are guilty of the same-sounding work from authors. For me, Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame is a good example of getting the balance right – her trademarks are some aspects of magical realism and French-infusion, but her plots are all startlingly unique.
ENTIRELY AGREED, HANNAH. *nods* I want their style but not repetition. ;D
Oooo, I like this topic. It’s something I’ve thought about briefly, but never consistently when it comes to authors as a whole. I will admit to having thought about it with authors like Clare and Green who use the same formula over and over again. Personally I have lost interest with both, but that doesn’t mean I won’t ever pick up another novel by them. I just don’t feel the need or longing for their novels anymore. I think that being a consistent writer is a good thing. I know when I pick up a Vonnegut novel to expect weird, but satirical aspects that deconstruct humanity and I like that because it’s always so far out there it seems impossible to imagine. That’s a style of consistency that is never repetitive and I love that style. At the same time, I like when authors can showcase a different range of writing and are able to tackle different concepts that almost seem like a completely different writer has written them. I think that takes skill an ability, but that is also a very uncommon trait in writers. I believe most writers have some formula they follow, whether it’s something simple in wording, plot, or setting; so their stories retain that same semblance of that author within the work. Great discussion post!
It DEFINITELY takes a special ability to be able to write so wildly differently. *nods* Although I often get confused by it?! It might be just me though. 😂 But like if I wanted a John Green novel and I opened one and it read more like a paranormal horror…I’d be thrown! Because I wouldn’t have gone for John Green if I didn’t want contemporary, right? So in that respect, I do like it when authors are at least semi-consistent.
Generally, I love knowing what to expect, but I also know that authors are creatives (just like bloggers!) and they need to stretch and change and grow. Too much similarity is bad/redundant, but having too much randomness is like discovering a whole different author.
Speaking of author expectations – I just read a ridiculous review of a Philippa Gregory book on Amazon, which basically said “I hate this book, it’s a children’s book not a novel”. It was very clear that the book was intended to be for children. People can be dumb.
Agreed! Anyone who writes (bloggers and writers alike 😂) will change and grow over time. Aaaand, I mean, you go back to an author (OR BLOGGER!) because you liked their style, right? So it would be weird if you suddenly got a personality switch and never saw that style again.
Ugh, those kind of reviews make me mad. 🙁
I’m with you! I think it’s okay for authors to write about similar themes in all of their books. People tend to like certain things and therefore obsess about it over and over. BUT I also think it’s awesome when authors write more than one genre, like Neil Gaiman and Rainbow Rowell. You still know what to expect from their writing, but you also get to experience something new from them! Double win!
~Sara
NEIL GAIMAN IS LIKE THE LORD OF LITERATURE. 😂 But you can still always 100% tell when it’s a Gaiman book because of his style, right?! So that is awesome!
I totally get what you say, I also think Rainbow Rowell has a very distinct writing style too! Rick Riordan is a solid example too, it used to be on my author I would auto-buy from list but since I didn’t really like Magnus Chase I’m having second thoughts on him and IT HURTS. i think it’s okay they have a style, isn’t that something authors actually aspire to have?
Anyways, off to make myself a chocolate sandwich.
Aw, it sucks when a used-to-be-favourite-author lets you down. *pats shoulder* *feeds you cake* That’s me an Sarah J Maas. I thought she’d be an auto-buy author for me?! But now I refuse to read her books. *CRIES* I diiiiid love Magnus Chase though BUT I STILL UNDERSTAND THIS PAIN. And I agree: I think authors do need a distinct style.
CAN I COME OVER AND MAKE A CHOCOLATE SANDWICH WITH YOU TOO? *puppy dog eyes*
I was super interested to read this. And now I have read it. And now I shall say – I never write the same kind of book. I never do. I cAN’T HELP IT I’M SorryeveryonewhoisterriblyconfusedatPaperCrownswhentheywereexpectinganotherMonster but I just can’t bring myself, unless I’m working on a series. In which case the novels better at least be recognizably similar to the last. Mostly. BUT even though I wrote novels of all different kinds, I think every author (myself included) ends up with a list of similarities anyhow. Like, Asia/Snark/Angst/Feisty Girls, for example. (Also, lots and lots of coffee. Coffee everywhere.) IN SHORT, I LIKED THIS POST. IT WAS AN INTERESTING, A+ POST.
OMG IS THIS MIRRIAM ON MY BLOG *GASPS* 😂 😉 Thanks for commenting! And also: I totally get what you mean! And I think it’s entirely admirable that you write so differently and wildly…although (from what I’ve read at least!) I still think your style is pretty consistent, which is awesome. ;D
Great post! I agree with a lot of your points, pretty much all of them. This is why I’m not a traditional author, and I do something most authors WILL NOT DO. I genre-hop, all under my one name. I think my readers know what to expect from me — something Japanese or Asian related with an HEA, but that’s about it. I do scifi, cozy mystery, magical realism, contemporary romance, and probably fantasy soon! I like being about to play in different genres. So with traditional authors, if you don’t know that they have a pen name that they write under (and many do) you may fall prey to the same-old-same-old with them. I think self-publishing is changing this, though, so I expect many things to shift in the next five to ten years!
That just shows how flexible you are to be able to write so widely right?!? *sprinkles confetti over you* THAT IS AMAZING AND I ADMIRE YOU! I’ve written in a ton of YA genres, but my comfortable areas are definitely fantasy or magical realism, and I’m doing a lot with contemporary now too *nods*
I kind of wish it wasn’t such a big deal for traditionally published authors to write more widely? I mean, I know it’s not really in THEIR control. But gah! It’s so confusing sometimes when they have pen names.
Great post!! Personally, I love the signature authors leave on their novels. It’s nice to be able to identify and expect specific aspects from their novels. I’m a huge fan of parallelism, and foreshadowing. And authors with distinct signatures write books filled with that and I want to eat it all up! Cassandra Clare is definitely that kind of author and I LOVE HER BOOKS!!!
BUT. (because there’s always a but with me) I hold no tolerance for novels that have the EXACT same plot, and the EXACT same type of character. Especially, when an author tries to play it off as a different novel. Mm, I don’t think so. Thank god I haven’t been across too many like that, so I mostly stay in a happy world of bliss where I indulge in the same genre, same author style, and same awesome literary world *cough* SHADOWHUNTERS
Yesssss. I AGREE. And honestly the reason I’ll go after books by my favourite authors is because I’m looking for MORE of what they’ve already given me. If I wanted something completely different, I’d go for a different author, right?
CASSANDRA CLARE IS AMAZING. <3333
I have a similar post about readers reactions when an author switches genres scheduled for later this summer 😛
I think some authors have trademark styles while others have formulas. For me, Colleen Hoover has a trademark style. All her books feel like unique stories to me but they all have similar underlying elements. Whereas Jennifer L Armentrout has a formulaic style to me. She seems to have the same characters in the same set of story-lines but in different settings and it gets a little monotonous as a reader to read about time after time.
That being said, your favourite or must read authors obviously have something that appeals to you so at the end of the day, what does it matter? If you enjoy it, you enjoy it!
Ooh, I can’t wait to read your take on it, Lauren! 😀
And YES. I think the trademark vs formulas makes a lot of sense too *nods* And I’m definitely with you that the trademark style wins, because at least it’s different, if comfortingly familiar?
AND SO TRUE: if you love an author to bits, then who cares if they write stuff that seems the same?! IF YOU LIKE IT, ENJOY IT.
I am such a conflicted person, sometimes I want the same thing. Other times I want fresh and new. I can’t keep myself happy so I don’t blame authors when their books don’t meet my impossible standards.
Hehe, you’re hilarious and wonderful. 😂 And honestly this is the most relatable comment of ever. I CONCUR.
It’s really great when authors manage to strike a balance. There’s always going to be some common elements (and that can be fantastic), and it’s great to hear a talented author writing in a new character voice!
P.S. Not going to lie, I’m petty enough that I get a little bothered when Amazon JUST KEEPS telling me about every single book James Patterson publishes, edits, or has anything to do with… It isn’t so much that he’s writing as that he’s cluttering up my inbox, though…
BAHAHAH. Amazon can be a bit persistent right?! 😂 And I’ve heard James Patterson is kinda notorious for writing a gazillion books a year…and yet I’ve read zero of them. *gasps at self* BUT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ANYWAY! There’s going to be common elements, but it probably varies from author to author. 😀
I think it depends on the author AND genre of the book. I find this problem often occurs in genre fiction like Romance and Crime, after all both categories can be very formulaic. It’s the reason I no longer read anything by James Patterson and Lee Childs, to me they’re just re-printing the same story over and over again, However, it’s understandable if it’s an ongoing series, the author is going to put a lot of long term investment into it (hopefully), but each book in a story needs to add something new and different to the story (a different pov to the same situation or a new problem that’s evolved beyond the old solution or a new solution to an old problem), Character growth is vital for a long term investment series. I won’t keep reading if I feel that the author isn’t contributing anything new to the genre or the characters are just doing the same thing over and over again. Great post, definitely an interesting subject 🙂
That all seems very logical and fair! I’ve never read James Patterson (I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START) but I do understand that when you have a gazillion books out it’d be hard to come up with something uber fresh after a while. 😳
I’m going to take a risk and say Laini Taylor. I’ve only ever read her Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, but the way she writes feels like *her* rather than specific to those books. And considering the description and extract of her next novel, Strange the Dreamer, I think it’s safe to say she has a very particular style, and OH MY GOD, I LOVE IT!
I’m a fan of similar styles; a writing style, or a feeling evoked by an author’s particular brand of story telling. I love all that. What I’m not such a fan of is when you feel like you’ve read htis story before. Different character names, different setting, different specifics to the plot, but the same story, really. I actually can’t think right now of an example, I just know I’ve come across it, and been very disappointed.
Saying that – and again, I can’t think of an example right now, I just know I’ve come across it – I don’t like it when you’re reading a series, and all of a sudden a book comes along that doesn’t *feel* like it’s part of the same series. Like it could have been written by someone else. The style changed, or pacing, or it went from being a series based in politics and strategy, a smart, thinky kind of series, to a series that is all quick, fast action with people making humongous mistakes when they were so clever and painstaking about such things before. THIS IS NOT OK! When you’re expecting a certain kind of story and get something different when it’s not related to previous books, I could maybe forgive that, but in the middle of a series? NO! What is that?! Why?! UGH! I am not happy when this happens. At all.
Awesome post, Cait! It was really interesting to think about! 🙂
I totally think you’ll be right about Laini Taylor! Plus Strange the Dream just sounds os very HER after reading DoSaB! And that’s awesome I think…we know what to expect in terms of style/world-building and I liiiiike that. 😂 (Okay but can you tell I like knowing what to expect?! HAHAHHA. #noregrets)
Consistent style is definitely better than slightly-too-similar-content *nods*
And I’ve had authors do that sudden-change-of-everything-mid-series to me and I’ve ended up really disliking their books as a whole. You DO have deliver what you’ve started off promising!! It’s too confusing otherwise. 🙁
Personally I like it when an author’s works are more or less consistent, although I will not complain of they decide to change things up, because it’s good to try new things!!!!!!!! Usually. Basically, I don’t really mind either way. Like if Rick Riordan decided to write a story without any mythology in it, I’d be down for that! (as long as it didn’t suck)
I totally get that!! And when it’s a REALLY favourite author then honestly everything they write is prone to be gold, right?!? hehe. (Although it WOULD be weird if Rick Riordan wrote like a really gory, bloody horror with zero humour though, right?! We kind of expect mythology and laughs from him!)
Rick Riordan is so hilarious that I doubt he could ever write an non-funny book. A gory bloody, murder horror story with a side dish of sarcasm and one liners sounds cool……….. XD
Out of your 72 angles, I agree with almost all, like 71 of them, we do tend to know what to expect and are often pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised when the results are unexpected. Also, there’s no guarantee that we’ll love every book the author writes just because we sacrificed our soul and formed a parabatai bond with her previous works, whiiiich brings me to Cassie Clare and my best example of this. As you know, I despised Jace with a fire and it sort of ruined TMI for me (But I do love Isabelle, I really do!) yet, I decided to give her work another chance and tried Clockwork Prince and Jem came into my life and Will and I was sold. So now I have this delicious anticipation with Lady Midnight and the new series because I could love it like TID or hate it like TMI and it’s all up to chance and how masochistic I am 😀 But that brings it all back to us readers holding out our bodies for our favourite to disfigure and maim and that was not your topic was it Cait? 😉
It’s so hilarious because I LOVED Jace and HATED Will so bad (omg I’m like probably the only person ever who much prefers TMI over TID?!?!?😂) But that’s great, though, because Cassandra Clare has appealed to a wider audience by writing different sorts of characters! ALSO LADY MIDNIGHT IS AWESOME, IF THAT HELPS> 😛
That was totally my topic. I’M SO GLAD YOU SEE WHAT I WAS REALLY TALKING ABOUT HERE.
I think it really depends. Like, if I were to someday pick up a Maggie Stiefvater book and it was missing her trademark writing style and snarky, sarcastic characters, yeah, I’d be disappointed. But at the same time, if all Rick Riordan ever writes is retellings of ancient myths, yeah, it’ll eventually get old.
I TOTALLY GET THIS. I think it goes of style vs voice, right? Like Maggie Stiefavter’s style is ALWAYS THERE. But Rick Riordan always writes the same plot structure.
HMMM! I’ve been following PaperFury while NaNoWriMo-hiatusing, naturally, so I’ve read this post when it was out. And I thought I’d come up with a concrete argument by the time I got around to commenting on it, but… nah. I AM A TWO-HEADED LEXIE, AND IF YOU CUT ONE OFF, TWO MORE WILL GROW AND I’LL BE ABLE TO READ MY TBR SUPER SUPER FAST.
Having said that, don’t cut my head off. That hurts.
I weirdly don’t feel like Maggie Stiefvater falls into the ‘similar books’ category. I don’t know if I’d even RECOGNIZE the same mind behind Shiver as the mind behind The Raven Cycle if I didn’t know beforehand. (Not that either is BAD – I WORSHIP ALL THE STIEFVATER BRAINCHILDREN.) But maybe that’s simply because in general I tend to respect authors more if they can write A VARIETY of fantastic books. (Probably why Victoria Schwab is my #2, after The Stiefvater.) Which would point to my being on the ‘authors shouldn’t have a niche’ team. (Also, I’m that bitter espresso bean who hates it when authors expand finished series or rewrites them from another POV. I just feel like it unbalances something about them.)
AND YET. When I really LOVE an author with a niche, or if I really LOVE the world they’ve created, I WANT MOAR IN THAT VEIN. So their tendency towards similar material tends to work for me.
So… *nods* EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS POST MAKES SENSE. And it’s good I have two heads, because I can stick them on each side of the argument and nod synchronously.
DUDE. GO FOR THE TWO-HEADED THING IMMEDIATELY. *NODS* You could tackle your TBR with one head and write several books with the other. Where is the downside? BECAUSE I SEE NONE. (Also see?? Because so many heads??? GEDDIT??! *Shushes self*)
Ahem.
But seriously?!??! I see the Stiefvater style over ALL her books and I think it’s so so strong! I’m actually going to do a post and do a quiz and see if people can recognise the author from their writing style. hehe😂 But I digress. But so basically what you’re saying is: WE NEED BOTH. And we want different things from different authors. Honestly authors should just read our minds so they know exactly how to make us pleased. *nods*
This is a neat discussion. For me it depends on the author. Some author’s I like it when they branch out others I like it when they stay in their brand. Also I’m about to read the first Raven Cycle book. ^ ^ I thought you’d like to know. You convinced me. XD And I think a chocolate sandwich would be two pieces of white chocolate (they look like bread) with dark or milk chocolate in the middle personally. 😉
AHHHHH I SO SO HOPE YOU ADORE THE RAVEN CYCLE. *screams* NO PRESSURE OR ANYTHING BY OMG I LOVE IT SO MUCH. <3 And duuuuude, I want to try your version of a chocolate sandwich asap.
I like it when authors stick with a brand. (Also, I totally plan to stick with a brand myself… and I’ve always known what my brand would be. xD There’s one type of storytelling basically that I’m PASSIONATE about, even though I ENJOY many many kinds.)
Ahem! Anyway, yes, I like branded authors, I just don’t like it when the story structures are the same. Or even worse: When the author seems almost incapable of writing about more than one kind of protagonist. UGH. I like it when authors have diversity and uniqueness about their stories, so they aren’t predictable… but there’s always a consistent FEEL to their stories. Something we can expect and look forward to. ^_^
A long way of saying I AGREE!!
Yesss, brands are good! AND NEEDED I THINK. Because they stick out, right?! Whereas authors with weak or just average voices kind of are forgettable.
I’m glad you agree!!😂
I feel like maybe it is weird that I never actually considered this? But now I am, so look at that, you’re making me think! I think all your points are valid. Like, I am over Shadowhunters, so no, I am probably not ever going to pick up another book like it from that author. And it IS nice to have some idea I guess… though sometimes for me, the fun of it is knowing that I am going to have NO idea. Like even within their own niche and voice, I still know it will be different from the last thing they’ve done, you know? (Looking at Neal Shusterman and Patrick Ness, among others). But then I look at an author who does a “thing” really well- like Cat Winters being the actual queen of historical fiction) and I think “don’t ever change!”. So I think what I have learned from your post is that I think it really depends on the author. Maybe some LOVE staying in their niche, while others crave variety, and it shows in their work? That’s my official stance on this.
GO ME. MAKING PEOPLE THINK. I probably deserve cake for that, right?? *nods*
Omg Patrick Ness is DEFINITELY one you have no idea what he’ll come up with next.😂 But still has his voice/style. *nods* SO TRUE. But I’m with you: it depends on the author and how much we love them. and I mean, how many books has Cat Winters written compared to Cassandra Clare?!?? So it’s probably quantity too. Like I don’t feel like I’d ever get sick of Michael Grant but he’s written STACKS of books and they usually are similarly creepy.
I LIKE YOUR OFFICIAL STANCE. VERY OFFICIAL.
I really like what to expect as well! If I loved a book from an author, obviously I will have expectations regarding his/her second, third book etc etc, especially to be taken away with a beautiful writing, greatly shaped characters or stuff like that. But yes, I have to admit that it’s really annoying when you come to find ALL of the EXACT same things and tropes in books after a while, it can make me very frustrated. I’m glad so far this didn’t happen, well, not that I can remember of, and always found some kind of originality in author’s books.
Such a great post, you are the QUEEN of finding amazing discussion posts.
*nods* THOROUGHLY AGREE BASICALLY. Consistent style = yes. Too-similar plots = no. I mean, otherwise it does get boring, right???
AWww, YOU’RE SO NICE. <3
It depends on the author I guess. I have some favourite authors who have books that are very different. But a lot of my favourite/auto-buy authors write VERY similar books and I LOVE that <3 – Colleen Hoover, Jodi Picoult, Sarah J. Maas. I know what to expect and I LOVE their writing so I look forward to it. I also love authors who change it up.
I think it’s awesome knowing what to expect, too!! Particularly if you ADORE it and want more and there are no other books doing what that-certain-author-is-doing, you know?!?!?
I like knowing what to expect from an author. BUT-sometimes the books are just TOO similar. I mean COME ON ALREADY, I’VE READ THIS BEFORE!
Ugh. Does everybody love Rick Riordan? He starts his books off exactly the same way EVERY time, which gets VERY ANNOYING after five, six, seven, twelve, etc. books.
Yes, so I no longer read his work. I much prefer Tui T. Sutherland, who is a master of character and description. I am so glad to have found someone who doesn’t botch up both. It’s almost a miracle. AND ALL THE CHARACTERS IN HER WINGS OF FIRE SERIES ARE DRAGONS!!!! So yeah, of course, she’s the greatest author on earth.
Hehee, YES. 😂 I did notice that with Rick Riordan. He LITERALLY HAS ONLY ONE PLOT STRUCTURE. I binge read ALL his books last year and I was getting a bit frustrated…>_> (I mean, I still think they’re hilarious and I love them, but I am waiting for the day the plot will change. 0_0)
DID YOU SAY DRAGONS??? WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD OF THIS AUTHOR BEFORE.
I’m like you, I like knowing what to expect in a sense. Let’s use Maggie as an example: I’ve read The Raven Cycle and The Scorpio Races. Both books are radically different but they *feel* similar because they *feel* like Maggie books. The details, the writing style, the depth of the characters. So I’m going to assume that I will find something to like in Shiver and Ballad, even if they are very different from what I’ve read. And the new Morgan Matson book that just came out: I know I’m going to get a really sweet, thoughtful, in depth book about family, relationships, friends, and summer. Her books are all different but they have threads that tie them together. In my opinion, even if an author drastically changes what they are writing, you should still be able to see them in the work. I haven’t read JK Rowling’s mystery series yet, but before she was discovered, people STILL found the similarity in her sentence structure and interesting characters, even though they couldn’t be more different from Harry Potter. So while I might get sick of seeing a bazillion books from one author if they’re all suuuuuper similar *cough* CLARE *cough*, I like when authors venture into a new fantasy world/sci fi/contemp setting but you can still tell that they wrote it. It doesn’t mean you’ll love everything, but you’ll know what it is. Anyway. Yeah. hahahah.
YESSSS EXACTLY. Maggie Stiefvater has such a distinct voice! And Shiver/Lament series are both really STIEFVATERY too. *nods*
But, I mean, I love Clare.😂 I’ll be happy if she writes a million books in the same world.
But YES! I think it’s awesome when the style carries through…and probably if the plots/stories get changed up more. Although I suppose the handy thing with people like Cassandra Clare is, you can like start anywhere in her serieses?
That’s such a good point! I still want to try the Infernal Devices series.
Ahh, I like this. I’m not personally sure what I prefer — maybe I’m okay with both, idk??? Although I’m thinking that when I become a published author, I’m going to be one of those with three detective fiction series, two epic fantasy trilogies, a fairy-tale retelling, and five contemporary drama novels all in different styles and moods. Because I have all that diversity in one brain, and that brain happens to be in my head and screaming at me to write all that. I lead a burdened life.
THAT WILL BE AWESOME THOUGH. 😀 I honestly write in a TON of different genres myself? But I hope my style sort of carries through…But I think there’s too much to explore with all the awesome genres out there. We POOR SOULS and our burden to write all the fun things. *sends chocolate*
Haha, that Maggie Stiefvater description. “Also, there will be cars.” How did I never realize that she is so obsessed with vehicles? The Pig, and that weird orange one in The Scorpio Races… #mindblown.
Personally, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I enjoy a similar style with authors. I could spot Sophie Kinsella’s writing instantly, because it’s slightly panicky with oddball characters and gorgeous love interests. Same with Sarah J. Maas, although her style is a bit more dark, with lots of sexiness and twisted, hilarious dialogue.
Actually, I’m reading ACOMAF right now, the sequel to ACOTAR! Have you read that series yet? It’s based off the Beauty and the Beast story. Being a SJM fan, you probably have…
Anyways. Totally agree, and thanks for another amazing post.
Have you ever read her tumblr or facebook page?!?😂 SHE AS A PERSON IS GENERALLY OBSESSED WITH CARS. It’s so awesome omg. Ahem.
Hahah, I’m actually not an SJM fan and I’ve sworn off her books, sorry. 😛
I’m sure someone has already covered it, but in my neck of the woods (okay, in my house. who knows if anyone else does this) a “chocolate sandwhich” is a sandwich consisting of Nutella (or “hazelnut spread,” because you know, Nutella is like four bucks) and peanut butter, made for my brother who does NOT enjoy PB&J.
They’re actually pretty good. Even more so if you put slice of banana in it.
I totally went on a rant about foot. ;P
OMG. STOP EVERYTHING AND LET ME HAVE ONE OF THESE IMMEDIATELY. I’ve had peanut butter and banana, but adding chocolate to that seems GENIUS.
This is a really interesting point. I personally think I prefer authors to switch itup a bit, but their voice is still recognizable.
AGREED. That’s the perfect compromise!
I think it’s good because yeah, you know what you’re expecting, but I guess it really depends on the author for me. Like, I’m really not a fan of John Green but then I love Cassandra Clare and all her books. I feel like Nicholas Sparks definitely falls into this category. His books all have a romance and there’s either a death or something really bad happen towards the end… They all follow the same route, but I still enjoy reading them! Oh and then there’s J.K Rowling’s books… The detective ones are nothing like Harry Potter – in both the storylines and the writing age/style, yet they definitely still have her voice in there.
It’s really epic when the author’s voice carries through, even though the genre is hugely different, right?!? I LIKE THAT A LOT. *nods*
The first thing that popped into my head was this: is there such a thing as chocolate sandwiches? TO which I remember that there might be…or if not QUICK SOMEONE MAKE ONE!
I def love this topic, thankyousomuchforbringingitup! I love that authors have a voice. This actually helps in culling my TBR pile, TBH because now I know what and WHO to read. For example, I’m not a fan of John Green’s book trope/type/style even if I enjoyed reading TFiOS but since he writes the same type of things, I have successfully avoided his work! Like Nicholas Sparks books…because I see a similarity here, BTW.
And not only does it help cull, it helps me pick which books to read. Say, books by SJMaas will ALWAYS have ships that will die because she ends up matching someone to someone else by the next book, and the next, and the next! UGH! UGH! UGH! So I KNOW what to expect and I WILL NOT ship any couple in her books because she will ship-kill them! Ship killer! LOL
I also love that some authors write in different genres AND keep the same name. I have a couple of authors that comes to mind, Sophie Jordan and Rainbow Rowell.
Some authors also switch subgenres and that is super awesome, too!
THERE SHOULD BE SUCH A THING AS A CHOCOLATE SANDWICH, AND IF THERE’S NOT, I DEMAND WE MAKE AND EAT THEM ANYWAY. I have a craving. Omg who started this??? SHAME ON THEM. (Wait. It was me.)
And I think it totally does depend on whether we like the author or not. *nods* Like I was mega disappointed in ACTOAR because I thought it was too similar to Throne of Glass.😂 Yet I’ll read any John Green book ever. hahah. AHEM. SO YEAH. SO MUCH SUBJECTIVITY.😂 Rainbow Rowell is AMAZING at switching genres but still having her trademark style. *falls in love with all her books*
I like it when their books are similar, but that doesn’t been they have to be the same genre. Just the same essense to them. I love all that I’ve read by K. M. Wieland. Her books are all different, but I still have some idea of what to expect. There’s still a similar feel to them. The same style of writing.
Me too! I totally agree! It’s the same style I want, mostly. Although sometimes if I dislike an author and they swap genres, I’ll end up liking them.😂 SO IT ALWAYS DEPENDS I SUPPOSE. 😛
I think it just depends on preference. I don’t like John Green. I’ve read 3 of his books & they’re all the same. So I’m over it. Cassandra Clare I’m also kind of sick of. So, I have no plans on reading ALL of her 92382983290209 Shadowhunter books (I’ve read 5 total) But then Leigh Bardugo has two separate series based in the same world and I am IN LOVE. So, yeah, I think it just depends on whether you like that author or not.
I also don’t thnk they SHOULD be similar. There are authors that venture away from their previous books. Erin Bowman wrote a dystopian, then came out with a western. Jennifer Niven has written in 4 different genres (YA, memoir, non-fiction and adult fiction). Even J.K. Rowling has written different genres. So, they don’t have to stay in the same style if they don’t want to & I’ll still read their other stuff.
I guess it honestly depends on if the author works for us, too.😂 I mean, I’ve read 11 Cassandra Clare books and STILL can’t get enough. :’) Leigh Bardugo is wonderful! Although she’ll only have 5 books total in the Grisha world once Crooked Kingdom is out, right? But omg I WOULD SO SIGN UP FOR MORE GRISHA BOOKS AHHHHHH.
I guess I like it when there’s that style that author’s have. It’s almost as if you get a little bit of them through their writing.
I actually don’t mind if author’s books are the same because I always get a range of books because I read loads of different authors. That said, it can be exciting when an author writes something a bit different, but so long as they keep their personal tone throughout their writing, I’m happy. Great post!
Yesss, I totally know what you mean! It’s nice to expect someone to have a consistent style. I mean, IRL people do, right? And I usually keep wanting to go back to an author if I love their style! 😀
You say you haven’t had a chocolate sandwich, but have you had an ice cream sandwich? That might solve your problem to some degree. Plus they come in boxes so you could share one with me.
And THE STRUGGLE OF THIS POST IS SO REAL. On the one hand, I get that when an author writes in a certain brand/genre/style you’re more willing to get their general modus operandi and then can look forward to the stuff they wrote because you like that stuff! But I also agree that if they get too attached to that M.O. then they can be annoying and boring.
For me, I think a lot of it depends on the world that they’re writing about and how similar the stories are within that world.
With John Flanagan and Rick Riordan, for example, almost all of their (YA) books take place in the same world/universe, so that Will and Hal basically go through a lot of similar stuff and Percy and the Kane siblings just live across the river from one another. Making their books in the same universe almost makes the stories the same, which can be frustrating.
And that isn’t a guarantee or anything. Six of Crows and the Grisha trilogy I feel like are very different stories told in different ways, and I know that some people only like one of the two, and so a single universe isn’t necessarily an indicator that all an author’s books will be like that, but it is a trap one can fall into.
Personally, though, I like when authors have the freedom to roam around within an area but don’t necessarily stick to the same old thing every time. Authors like this for me are like Eoin Colfer (for whom Artemis Fowl and Airman and Plugged are all very different while being similar) and Neal Shusterman (Unwind, Challenger Deep, etc.) where there are often common threads but they still make each work its own.
So… Yeah. I can appreciate the pro’s but I’m a greater fan of difference than similarity. *nods*
I actually HAVE had an ice cream sandwich, though it was like 5 years ago and it was vanilla and biscuit without chocolate so I STILL MAINTAIN I NEED A CHOCOLATE SANDWICH *nods*
Anyway. Moving forward.
I totally agree that in the same world, things can get limited. *nods* It needs the author to have a HUGE imagination and lots of things to explore. Like I’m pretty sure the Game of Thrones universe would NEVER get boring with all the cultures crammed in. But yeah, Ranger’s Apprentice and only extend so far. (Although I do also think it depends a lot on how much you like the author too.😂 Like I have zero complaints about more Shadowhunter books and that world isn’t THAT big…but still. My precious Shadowhunter poppets. <3) Ahem.
Oh, I agree with you on this SO MUCH. I like that I know what to expect, and generally if I like one of the books by the author, I tend to like their other books because they have the same tone. Butttt, it can get a little repetitive at times. Great post!!! 😀
SAME! It’s a hard balance to find, right?!?😂 I think it depends on how dedicated we are to an author, sometimes, heheh.
I enjoy when authors write a lot of the same but mix it up a little bit. For example, I know Stephanie Perkins is coming out with a book that isn’t contemporary at all like her Anna and the French Kiss trilogy and that makes me REALLY EXCITED to try it. I love Claudia Gray’s books, And they range from vampires to time travel and it’s delicious. But then I never want Rick Riordan to stop writing greek mythology books. And I really love the Shadowhunter realm! Although sometimes I do find TMI and TID to be a little too similar I don’t mind too much! So I think it depends on the author and what world they have made 😀
Okay, so I may end up ranting about this.
Strike that.
I will end up ranting about it.
I think there’s a big difference between an author’s voice being the same and an author sounding exactly the same. I know that sounds like it’s the same thing, but I don’t think it is. Hear me out. What I’m trying to say is that there’s a difference between having a style and writing the exact. same. thing. Take Victoria Schwab, for example. You’re right, you know what to expect from her, and that’s a great feeling. You go in knowing that you’re going to get good writing, complex characters, and a fantasy element or two. Her writing is distinctive. Same thing for Maggie Stiefvater. All of the things you noted are completely true, but I feel like she’s different than Cassandra Clare.
Because literally Cassandra Clare is writing everything in the same world.
When I read the title of this post, the first two authors who came to mind were Cassandra and Rick, but I’m getting at that John, Rainbow, Victoria, and Maggie do this in a different way. They’re not so guilty. Maggie writes multiple worlds. Even though her themes and her writing is similar, her ideas change and her characters grow in different ways and there are SO MANY PLOTS to love and choose from.
Maggie’s Wolves of Mercy Falls series is really different, in my mind, than The Scorpio Races, which is really different than the Raven Cycle. With Cassandra, her novels all sound the same to me. The character development, the overarching story, the sub-plots, the character archetypes, etc. She changes a few names and mishmashes plot events, and ta da!
I don’t think Rick used to be guilty of this. He used to be my favorite author for FOREVER. Percy Jackson and the Olympians remains one of my favorite series to this day. I also thought that the Kane Chronicles and the Heroes of Olympus series were distinctive and brilliant, although the Kane Chronicles a little bit less so. I was really disappointed when I read the first Magnus Chase book because it sounded super nostalgic to me, and not in a good way. I was reminded of Cassandra and completely turned off from the rest of the series, even though it took me forever to admit it ;-;
Does this make any sense? If it does, then I’d say the kind of same books that Cassandra writes and Rick is starting to write is not what I want to read. I’ve pretty much closed myself off from those authors because of that. If Rick writes something new in the future, I’ll probably try it, but I’m done with Cassandra (I loved the Infernal Devices though!) The kind of same that Maggie, Victoria, John, and Rainbow practice is good. It’s consistent, and it has all the pros that you were talking about.
P.S. YES I WILL READ ANYTHING MAGGIE COMES OUT WITH AS WELL.
P.P.S. You have a gorgeous blog theme! I think I have the same one 😉 Soledad? With a different configuration? Anyway, it looks beautiful.
Thanks for reading my rant XD
I think it honestly depends, also, on how much you love the author. Like I really enjoy and adore Cassandra Clare and Rick Riordan. I know what to expect from them and I love their worlds! (Actually both of their most recent books are my new favourites!!) But anyway! 🙂 I get what you’re saying. It’s all very subjective and different for every reader, right?!😂
Exactly. I have a handful of friends who get what I’m saying, but still know and love the author 🙂 And absolutely, there’s no doubt that Cassandra and Rick are great writers. If you liked Lady Midnight that much, maybe I’ll skim through it to see what it’s all about!
The only problem I had of this was when I was reading older Dean Koontz novels. After a while, the stories were starting to blur together and the characters were starting to become very, very similar in my head. Other times, well, I like series and I’m often a loyal booknerd fan 🙂
I don’t want them to be TOO similar. I love Rick Riordan, but sometimes it feels like he is using a fill-in-the-blanks template to write his books and that gets distracting (i.e – super special metal? check.)
Try nutella sandwiches- nutella with paesano. Chocolate hazelnut, but STILL. HEAVEN.
I like consistency- Maggie Stiefvater (DUH) is one of my favorites, for that style. Can’t get enough!!!
MAGGIE STIEFVATER IS EVERYTHING. And omg that kind of chocolate sandwich sounds divine.