It didn't take a long time to realize that "bestselling" in front of an author's name or book did not always guarantee "good" writing. That's not to say the writing wasn't entertaining, but, in fact, at times the writing could be not-so-great. I'll be the first one to admit that coming to that conclusion is purely subjective and definitely can vary from reader to reader, but the fact remains in some works of fiction with a sterling label, the actual writing is not what could be identified as particularly good. Obviously to be a bestseller, the story had to outshine the writing.
What is "good" writing then? Again, that remains subjective, so I'll give you my opinion of what it primarily is not. Good writing expands imagery in unique verbal pictures, avoids the overuse of known expressions, keeps clichés to a minimum while acknowledging them as such, doesn't repeat the same phrases to describe emotions or actions over and over again while stating the obvious - to capture a few examples.
People read novels expecting various outcomes. Entertainment is a key reason to read fiction. However, some of us want the added benefit of "respectable" writing talent. Sometimes the story itself provides the entertainment but the obvious lack in either poor writing, editing, and/or proofreading to eliminate obvious errors subtracts from the value of the experience - for some of us.
That's this Monday's musings . . .
Father, thank you for writing, for stories, for the authors that write them. You are the giver of talents and gifts, and every good and perfect one comes from you. We can't thank you enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.