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Richard Donnelly's avatar

"An exquisitely written, quiet novel ... is still going to have a hard time in the marketplace." Exquisite and quiet are the hallmarks of good writing. If it doesn't sell, why do teachers, coaches, agents insist on good writing?

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Kate McKean's avatar

I disagree that quiet is a hallmark of good writing. I also believe that there are many, many definitions of good writing and there are many reasons different books sell. The point is itтАЩs not only prose quality that readers look for in books.

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Richard Donnelly's avatar

Thank you Kate. And yes, it's a matter of category. But when it comes to upmarket (a very large category), don't readers want exquisitely written and quiet? I mean, think of the opposite : )

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Kate McKean's avatar

Why not exquisitely written and exciting, engrossing, dynamic, or thrilling?

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Richard Donnelly's avatar

Maybe the movie : ) Yes that would be a well written book

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