Larissa Ione

It Sucks! No, It Doesn’t! Yes, It Does!

Yeah, my subject line is a little confused.

I just finished reading an older manuscript of mine, and I spent a lot of time groaning. I can't believe how much I've grown as a writer…and not just grown, but changed.

But the strange thing was that one day I'd read the manuscript and groan, and then the next, I'd read and think, this isn't so bad.

I've noticed I do that when I'm reading published novels, too. I remember the first time I tried to read the first JR Ward book. Couldn't stand it. Put it down after 5 chapters. A year later, I tried again. Loved it and didn't put it down until it ended. It's possible that so much had happened during the span of time between when I first picked up the book and the next that maybe my outlook on paranormals or life or writing styles changed.

But the same thing happens to books I'm reading over the space of a few days. One day I'm loving the book, but the next…bleh. Mood must play a huge role in whether or not we (or at least, I) like a book. So then I started thinking about movie and book reviews. Had I reviewed the JR Ward book when I first read it…er…it wouldn't have been pretty.

But the second time? 5 stars, coffee cups, hearts…whatever. I've never been one to base my movie viewing or book buying decisions on reviews, but as I wonder how much mood, lack of sleep, time, etc., plays a role in how we read or watch something, I'm wondering how many books and movies might have gotten a different review from someone had they read/watched on a different day.

Interesting. (Yes, okay, I'm WAY overthinking this.)

Anyway, what about you? Have you read or watched something, hated it, and then tried again later only to revise your original opinion? Or vice versa–loved something and then hated it the next time you watched/read?

9 Responses to “It Sucks! No, It Doesn’t! Yes, It Does!”

I’m like you. I have to be in the mood to read something or watch a movie. This weekend I was in the mood to see “Ghost Rider” or “Blood and Chocolate.” Instead I got another movie and hated it. I’ll bet it wasn’t that bad, but I wasn’t in the mood for it. Same with books. I pick ‘em accordingly. Right now I’m in a JR Ward binge. I’m reading the last of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. Hehehe!

by Tempest Knight on June 26th, 2007 at 11:51 am
It never used to be this bad.

Nowadays, I read a few pages of a book, and can’t put it down but do because I HAVE TO. Then when I pick it up again, I don’t make past a couple of pages.

It’s a pain for writing reviews too.

by May on June 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Yep, the first time I tried to read LKH, I hated the book. I picked it up years later and really enjoyed it. (I’m still reading her earlier work.) The same thing happened with Tanya Huff. I wasn’t ready to read urban fantasy. Now, I can’t get enough of it.

by Jordan on June 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I tried to read my first Nora Roberts book and hated it. I tried the same book a few years later and LOVED it. I think it was me who changed.

by Michelle Willingham on June 26th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I’ve had it happen a couple of times. The first time I tried to read the first Elizabeth George I couldn’t get past the guy on the train with the head cold, but once I did I was hooked.

by Ann on June 26th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Tempest–when you see Ghost Rider, let me know! I’m dying to see that!

Ooh, May, I’ll bet it makes reviews a big pain sometimes!

Jordan, I had that problem with LKH too…I need to try again, because that was a while ago!

Michelle, I did that with SEP. Now I adore SEP…

Ann…LMAO at the guy with the head cold!!!!

by Larissa on June 26th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Ghost Rider rocked! Loved it.

I’m usually not that much of a mood reader, but it can happen. There’ll be something going on in my life that makes me sensitive to whatever subject is in a book, so I’ll avoid it until the timing’s better. Or I may be too preoccupied with a story cooking in the back of my brain to focus on something new; this happens way too often, and when it does, I go re-read old favorites.

by Charlene on June 26th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
My mood has definitely interfered with what I’m reading.

I can’t seem to get into Lynn Viehl’s Darkyn novels. The blurbs sound GREAT. I WANT to like these books. But dang if I can get through the FIRST one. *sigh* ??:

I put them away for now and I’ll try them another time, just to see if it IS my mood that is hindering me from reading these.

by Cindy on June 26th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I do that, change my mind from one time to the next when I pick up the same book or different books by the same author. I do think it has a lot to do with mood and I wish reviewers would ONLY read my books when they’re in a good mood.

by Suzanne on June 27th, 2007 at 10:31 am