There are those moments or pieces or concepts or characters that just don't work in a story. Generally speaking, those things we identify as a problem for us might not even cause a brief ripple in another's reading time.
How many times have you loved a novel and would've given it 4 or 5 stars on an Amazon review and are shocked to read the comments given in a couple of 1 or 2 star venomous reviews? I'm not talking about those 1 or 2 star assessments that are written by readers who will actually admit it's not their favorite genre and manage to make a couple of thoughtful points instead of just ripping the author and story to shreds. It's surprising to see the exact opposite opinions of our own on a book we loved.
However, every so often, an author will include something, a device, a character who turns unexpectedly, something that doesn't work. A mistake. If the publisher let it go or the independent editor overlooked it or maybe the author argued to leave it in the story and won - whatever the reason to have it in the book, many readers agree it doesn't work.
Can you think of something you've read in a story that didn't work for you?
Father, help us to always write our best to honor you. It won't be perfect, but please help us avoid obvious errors. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.