Rants & Raves

Reading Request

Okay, story time. Have a seat.

A couple of weeks ago I received a reading request. It was so friendly and polite, that I considered it. Being picky I scrutinized the book a little bit. Genre was action but the cover showed the two protagonists smooching. Not being a big fan of romance, especially when it is a wattpad book (we all know why),  I asked the author if it really is. She sent me a reply, an essay actually, its gist implied that she hates romance as well and ranted for about thirty-two minutes about how today's generation is so desperate and such which. Special mention to her story that is action-packed, bundled with lots of mystery. But protagonists are in love so she has used the cover. 

Great. I was pumped and I started the book.

Chapter 1 to 10- Character intro.

Chapter 10-20- Build up to the murder mystery and protagonists are in depression because of a misunderstanding they had years ago.

Chapter 20-30- Mystery is kept aside, protagonists are busy finding ways to get together.

Chapter 20.5- They finally get together.

Chapter 20 (the other).5 -Sex

Chapter 21-Murder mystery continues. (and it came with an affordable respite that finally the couple issue is over)

Chapter 22- Sex (Damn it, I was so wrong)

Chapter 23- Family issues

Chapter 24- Sex.

Yooooo! Are you getting my point?

Frustration began to take its position. I asked the author, "Where is the action buddy?"

She replied, very politely, "don't worry, rest of the book is action."

I trusted her again and continued.

Chapter 25-35- Mystery amalgamated with family issues amalgamated with the two tongues that couldn't stay in their respective mouths.

Frustration levels were reaching a whole new level. I decided to give a break and also had gotten busy with my personal life (priorities definitely change). A week later, one fine Sunday morning I woke up and surprisingly found my phone bleeding with wattpad notifications. The author had read most of my books within one night and dropped votes and hell lot of comments. I knew exactly why she had done that. But still, the generous side of me thanked her and I decided to finish her book in a single sitting.

This time my eyes bled. Even though I had my mind made up that this is a romance book, it was still difficult to read. The author was trying too hard to make it non-romantic, but it was filled with puppy nonsensical romance. I was desperate and asked the author why she had included such scenes when there wasn't any actual purpose. Her answer blew my mind- "My other sincere readers are in love with my protagonists and they needed more intimacy between them."

What the duce! Seriously, do you guys request an author to add such immorality when it isn't actually necessary? 

Anyway, somehow I finished the book. There was a glorious "The End" with invisible glitters that I had been waiting to meet with. I was so glad to have finished the book. Protagonists got married and lived happily ever after. But there was another chapter and I had to open it, seriously, I had to. The chapter was stated 'Authors Note'. 

One can never imagine what it was about. - Protagonists and their naked honeymoon pictures! Yay!

Okay seriously, my frustration levels reached the notch above. Glad that my phone costs a million otherwise I would have just thrown it into a gutter. What the hell!!!!

There were two reasons for my frustration here.

1. Why the act? What was the purpose? What are you trying to prove? You like writing romance, so just be proud of what you have written. Simple. This is your hard work. You have put the time and efforts in it. So say it out loud that you like what you like. Why the hypocrisy? There are people like me who actually find solace in reading stories with substance and they get really excited when you promise one.

2. As a writer, I would like to state an important fact. There aren't my words. It's the published authors' who we worship. I got the knowledge only after reading their interviews. 

Dear fellow writers, know your limits. Your characters are your babies, you created them. For heaven's sake, stop peaking into their bedroom and see what they are doing. Do you ask your son or daughter how they are doing it? Will you be happy if your parents ask you how you have done it. It the same scenario. Unless you intend to do 'A Fifty Shades of Grey', stop being an idiot. And if you do, stop propagandizing your story as if it is not.

Romance can be sweet and likable if you use proper, beautiful words. Don't make it sleazy and raunchy. Go. Read. Have some sense. Readers need to stop asking for the stupidity and writers need to stop being so desperate for votes and comments. Period.