PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
 |
| George makes an exit. |
I
just finished reading a book by an author I have never read before.
The story grabbed my attention right away. It was fast paced and well
written until midway. A quick and exciting ending could have been
provided at that time. Instead it dragged on and on repeating dialogue,
lots of mush, and recurring events. Every time I would see what I
thought was an ending, it would drone on and on. Why did I keep
reading? Because I couldn't believe this could happen. I would ask for
my money back except it was a library book:)
It was like
being in church and believing the good sermon is about to reach a
conclusion. It has captured the attention of the congregation and most are still awake. The message has been conveyed. Perfect stopping point. Then suddenly the
preacher decides to add something and add something, and add something
else to emphasize a point that had already been made.
It
reminded me of the Seinfeld episode when George would get a laugh from the group and
then linger telling nonsense. He finally learned to hear the laughter
and abruptly walk out of the room at the high point.
It reminded me of.......(see what I mean?)
Point well made an an excellent exit. A good reminder for all of us.
ReplyDeleteI hate books like that - sandie
ReplyDeletePacing is everything!
ReplyDeleteJeanie -- I can belabor a point as well as the next guy. It takes effort to become succinct in my story telling.
ReplyDeleteChatty Crone -- Would you have finished it or put it down?
Susan Adcox -- Yep:) As you know I can tend to get lengthy on my comments as well as my posts. LOL
I find that happens with most sermons I listen to, the preacher makes a good point and then repeats him/herself for another 15 minutes. ZZZZzzzzzzz
ReplyDeleteThen of course I forget what the point was.
One of my bad habits, certainly, but I think I am getting better. Make sure you leave them laughing as they say.
ReplyDeleteHi Kids, when I was younger we had a minister who was the master of this technique. I used to time him. He started at eleven o'clock, made a perfect point about 11:12 and kept preaching belaboring the point till about 11:30. He would say the same thing about 10 different ways for the last 20 minutes.
ReplyDeleteWe're with the Campbells in Denver. Your name has been brought up a few times. All good.
Sadly, the majority of people do not learn this point (truthfully, I can be included, because from time to time, I have major problems in summing up my point. Like now).
ReplyDelete"I would ask for my money back except it was a library book:) "
ReplyDeleteI love that line!
agree
ReplyDeleteWhen writing long pieces it's important to know when you're not moving the story anywhere. Strange that an editor didn't fix that pacing problem up.
ReplyDeleteI prefer strange n unexpected plot turns. Currently reading Lisa Unger's To Die For/
Better luck with the next Library visit.
Mine were all loaned from MB by the bagful. Nearing the end of the bag too-
I know what you mean about the sermon. :)
ReplyDeleteNow I want to know what the book was.
LL Cool Joe --I love watching the choir members as they begin to nod off. Too bad the preacher can't see them and get the message. The congregation works a little harder to stay awake because the preacher is staring right at them.
ReplyDeleteTabor -- Always good to leave them laughing but sometimes it is actually good to leave them crying if the point was a sad and sentimental one.
Cliff -- My mom used to discreetly tap her watch to remind my dad that he needed to he needed to move his sermon along. I caught on to this and once stood up during one of his sermons and tapped my wrist for all to see. Mother kept a better eye on me after that. (Hope it was good conversation. I thought I felt my ears burning.)
G.B. Miller -- I'm pretty sure we all can be included from time to time.
Riot Kitty -- After I said that, I wondered if you can return a book to a store just because you didn't like it? I'm guessing "no" because you obviously had used the product in order to know the book was bad. Reminds me of another episode of Seinfeld when George couldn't return a book because he had read it in the bathroom.
ashok -- You are a wonderful writer and quickly make your point and make it well.
Snaggle Tooth -- Why did you get a bag of books from MB and who is MB. (Have I not been p;aying attention?) Right now I am starting CUTTING FOR STONE recommended by kenju aka Judy.
Lynn -- The pastor we have now does and excellent job of breaking his sermon into four points. When he says "four' you know it's almost time for lunch and you can count on it.The book was RUNNING SCARED by Lisa Jackson. I picked it out without any recommendation or previous knowledge. The title should have been a clue because it's not very original and I think there are other books and movies with the same title. I kept on reading even though the ending had been disclosed long before because I thought there must be another zinger that is going to pop up. Nope, no zinger, just blah, blah, blah. Amazon reviews yield a 3.7 overall rating and the woman has several books with high ratings so you just never know.
LL Cool Joe --I love watching the choir members as they begin to nod off. Too bad the preacher can't see them and get the message. The congregation works a little harder to stay awake because the preacher is staring right at them.
ReplyDeleteTabor -- Always good to leave them laughing but sometimes it is actually good to leave them crying if the point was a sad and sentimental one.
Cliff -- My mom used to discreetly tap her watch to remind my dad that he needed to he needed to move his sermon along. I caught on to this and once stood up during one of his sermons and tapped my wrist for all to see. Mother kept a better eye on me after that. (Hope it was good conversation. I thought I felt my ears burning.)
G.B. Miller -- I'm pretty sure we all can be included from time to time.
Riot Kitty -- After I said that, I wondered if you can return a book to a store just because you didn't like it? I'm guessing "no" because you obviously had used the product in order to know the book was bad. Reminds me of another episode of Seinfeld when George couldn't return a book because he had read it in the bathroom.
ashok -- You are a wonderful writer and quickly make your point and make it well.
Snaggle Tooth -- Why did you get a bag of books from MB and who is MB. (Have I not been p;aying attention?) Right now I am starting CUTTING FOR STONE recommended by kenju aka Judy.
Lynn -- The pastor we have now does and excellent job of breaking his sermon into four points. When he says "four' you know it's almost time for lunch and you can count on it.The book was RUNNING SCARED by Lisa Jackson. I picked it out without any recommendation or previous knowledge. The title should have been a clue because it's not very original and I think there are other books and movies with the same title. I kept on reading even though the ending had been disclosed long before because I thought there must be another zinger that is going to pop up. Nope, no zinger, just blah, blah, blah. Amazon reviews yield a 3.7 overall rating and the woman has several books with high ratings so you just never know.
I think I would try to return a book I hated, but it'd have to still look new and be less than 1/2 read for me to feel justified in doing so.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I used to read books like that (ones I'd finish just because I started them) I'd always think, "hey, anyone can write a book. Maybe I should try."
Funny, I just found the Memoir writing book by Natalie Goldberg in a box. It's called "Old Friend From Far Away." I should get my butt in gear! :)
I work with a couple of people who don't know when to stop talking. I get their point, and I even look at them and say "Okay, I get it," but they re-word, and run on, until I'm ready to strangle them. Sometimes, when I'm really busy and I don't have time to humour them, I say "Okay, thanks," and walk away while they're still talking. They don't seem to be upset by this tactic. Maybe I'm not the only one who's done it to them.
ReplyDeleteTo the point is always nice. LOL
ReplyDelete