5 Red Flags Your Novel Might Be Too Much Work to Read
by Janice Hardy
A hard-to-read book is a book that doesn’t get read.
My mother was a voracious reader, reading one or two books a day. We were talking about books once and she mentioned she'd stopped reading one because it was “Just too much work.” It wasn't a bad book, in fact, she said it was a great idea and well written, but it did some things that made reading it a chore, not a joy, and she'd decided it wasn't worth the trouble.
Ouch.
Not worth the trouble? That's a hard blow for a well-written book.
But it happens. I've also read books that fell into that “too much work to read” area. Series I loved early on that faltered, books by authors I admired, books with fantastic premises I really want to explore. The only thing "wrong" with them was something they'd done that made reading them more work than the story benefit of doing so.
Is Your Novel “Too Much Work” to Read?
Before I go on, it's important to note that there's nothing inherently wrong with a complex or complicated novel, or one that does any of the things I'm about to talk about. Tastes vary and what one reader thinks is wonderfully layered another might find tedious to get through. It's all very subjective, and it's up to the writer to decide if the story is working or if it's becoming unwieldy.
If you’re getting negative feedback, though, and readers are saying they’re having trouble getting into the novel, or they skimmed a lot of it, or they never finished it, then “being too much work to read” could be a reason why.
Here are five red flags your story might be pushing the limits and scaring away your readers:
1. It frequently requires readers to do extra "research."
This includes having to read inserted newspaper articles, poems, songs, etc. that aren't part of the narrative, but contain valuable information the reader needs to understand the story or plot.
The key phrase here is: “Contain valuable information the reader needs to understand the story or plot.” If the extra pieces are more for flavor or setting, and the reader can skip them and still understand the story, it’s probably fine. But if they need to read all those bits to get the story, then it might be a problem.
It's the writer's job to convey that information through the narrative, not to make the reader do all the work and feel like they're doing background research for a report. A short bit here and there is usually no problem, but the more these extra pieces appear, the more likely it is the story is asking too much of the reader.
Books such as epistolary novels, where the whole point is to read the letters or articles don't count here, of course.
2. It has way too many characters.
I stopped reading a favorite fantasy series because the author had introduced at least 50 characters by chapter three and I couldn't remember who was who by then. If readers can't remember who people are, they can't connect to them or even understand why what someone says or does is even important. If it requires a cast of characters list before page one, that's typically not a good sign.
Look for ways to combine or cut some of those characters. Who has to be there?
3. It has way too many points of view.
In the same vein, readers can only remember so much before it all starts to gloss together. If the scenes are constantly changing from character to character, and it's multiple chapters before the same character or plotline comes around again, salient details can and will get lost. Even worse, too many points of view usually go hand-in-hand with too many characters, especially if every point of view has its own cast. It's not long before all those secondary and minor characters are overwhelming.
Frequent point of view switches is also a tension killer, since whatever felt tense and immediate five chapters ago probably doesn’t any more. You might do a fabulous job at building tension, then it cuts to a new character in a new location and all that tension plummets. By the time the reader gets back to it, they barely remember what was going on.
Look for the points of view that are critical to the story, and cut the rest. You can also take critical elements from one point of view and add it to another (with some tweaks so it now fits that point of view, of course).
4. The names are all too similar, or too hard to pronounce.
Names that start with the same letter (Anna, Andrew, Arianna), names that are all the same size (Joe, Ted, Ann), names that look similar, (Lawrence, Terrance, Vance) all make it hard for the reader to remember who's who. Different names with the same ending also feel similar (Jessie, Marie, Ronnie).
It's not a bad idea to list all the names in alphabetical order and see how they look together. It's an easy way to catch potential confusion and change names that might be too similar.
Genre names can really be a problem here, with names that are unpronounceable or impossible to tell if they're a person, place, title, or item. “After the fall of Drelekomor, when Silith bound the Thay’ne’mahi at Calvenrock, even the Ashen dared not awaken Nyrr.” Did a city fall, a nation, a single leader? Who or what are Thay’ne’mahi? Could be a group, a magic sword, or even the name of a creature.
Look at your names out of context and see if they all work together. Is there a variety of letters, sounds, syllables?
5. There's not enough backstory or reminders of key details in the later books in a series.
Think about the critical elements a reader needs to know to understand a scene, and treat it like it’s the first book in the series. Remind them of what they might have forgotten in the year since the book came out.
The more accessible your story is, the better the chance that readers will be drawn into that story.
The more complicated the story, the harder it can be, but if you take a little extra time to consider how the reader is going to move through the story, you can make that journey as easy as possible.
Have you ever stopped reading a book because it was too much work? What made you stop? Have you read any good examples of books that did anything on this list?
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About Janice
Janice Hardy is the award-winning author and founder of the popular writing site Fiction University, where she helps writers improve their craft and navigate the crazy world of publishing. Not only does she write about writing, she teaches workshops across the country, and her blog has been recognized as a Top Writing Blog by Writer’s Digest. She also spins tales of adventure for both teens and adults, and firmly believes that doing terrible things to her characters makes them more interesting (in a good way). She loves talking with writers and readers, and encourages questions of all types—even the weird ones.
Find out more about writing at www.Fiction-University.com, or visit her author’s site at www.JaniceHardy.com. Subscribe to her newsletter to stay updated on future books, workshops, and events and receive her ebook, 25 Ways to Strengthen Your Writing Right Now, free.
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58 comments on “5 Red Flags Your Novel Might Be Too Much Work to Read”
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- 5 Red Flags Your Novel Might Be Too Much Work to Read
A very well known author I used to read put out a book with his main superstar character as usual. It had this guy taking a break and deciding to pick up an out of place girl who used to use drugs. The poor “stop reading” point was about three pages of this author’s personal preaching on drug addiction popped up. I was done at that point.
That's a big ole red flag for me too, Warren. Thanks for sharing.
Ooo, not good. That's another great reason to stop reading. No one likes to be preached at when they're trying to enjoy a novel.
Back in the seventies, a potboiler copycat Western saga sat on the radiator in our bathroom. It was badly written, but everyone in my family kept reading it because it was so badly written.
In the space of three or four chapters, the main character spent several hours 1) involved in a shoot-out in which another character was critically injured, 2) riding two hours across the desert to find a specific healing plant, 3) returning with the plant, and 4) preparing the poultice made from the plant and administering it to the injured person.
Every few paragraphs, across the scope of this narrative, the author noted that the sun was just coming up. That was the first time I realized that the sun could sit still on the horizon for six or eight hours at a time.
Hee hee hee hee hee!
LOL that's hysterical. What a great bathroom book!
There was one recent read, which I finished only because it was my book club's choice. Too many pov characters, timelines that bounced back and forth and it was a struggle to read. However, who am I to judge, because the book is an Edgar finalist.
Those are the most painful ones. Readers are so much more forgiving than fellow writers!
I wouldn’t let the Edgar finalist put you off your instincts on a book. You’re probably spot on. There was a New Zealand writer who won the Booker and the book was dreadful. The first sentence alone was about 157 words. Not even kidding. It was tedious.
I was embarrassed as a New Zealander that it won the Booker. In the end, I wondered if it was - quite literally - a literary award. Not a readers book.
I stopped reading a book because of the names. They were all beginning with the same prefix, denoting belonging to the royal family. I had an almost impossible time working out who was whom.
That's super fair. Those books are a slog.
Been there. Sadly, written one of those myself, lol. Luckily, it never saw the light of day.
Loves this. I've tried to read several of these, and DNF'd. (Did not finish.)
I try to be cognizant of all of these things when I am writing. Thanks for the reminders and spelling it all out.
Most welcome 🙂 Anything goes in a first draft, but hopefully we catch all the problems on later drafts.
Timely! Yesterday I stopped reading a murder mystery (my favourite genre) by a well-known author. But, by p.12 I'd had to read 16 character sketches... Three had similar names, four had androgynous names, 3 had the exact same occupation... Sigh. I read at least 4-6 books a week - a lifetime habit - and do genealogy in the rest of my time (retired), so reading and writing personal meaningful sketches is a constant, daily. In the book's early pages, I found it confusing and irritating - not enough context or interaction for me to be interested or surprised or thoughtful or sympathetic or...
Finally, I closed the book, making a note of the author. I might check out another book in future... Maybe. Likely not. 🙄
I've read those kinds of books too Celia. It is confusing and irritating. And I almost never pick up the author's next book.
I would have put that down, too. And it's a great example of too hard to read. 🙂
Thank you for a thoughtful article... My 4th novel may have had a few too many characters, but only a handful of majors... Five do not enter the story until the last third of the book...
But there is a solution... Before introducing the last group, I killed off half of the first! 😱😁🙄
LOL that certainly cuts the cast down 🙂 "And now for the second shift..."
Thank you Janice for this important reminder. Yes, I've come across books that are just to much work to read. I offered a suggestion to a writer that his viewpoint characters had names that were too similar. He argued back that they were twins so they "had to" have those similar names. I hope he eventually realized how difficult he was making it on his readers. Personally, I work hard to avoid the kinds of problems you mention in all the stories I write. (often during the editing process!)
You're most welcome. That "but this is how it would really be" argument is a challenge sometimes. Yes, it's often true, but that doesn't make it a better story.
My pet peeve is books that repeatedly start without progressing. The author dangles the story above me, making me reach for it. Instead of playing this frustrating game, I simply close the book.
Oh, I can't stand those either! I've set a few down due to that as well. I'll have to remember that if I write about this again.
Great article, and it certainly red flags things I've been concerned about in my stories.
I've never been deterred by complexity, although Umberto Eco and Frank Herbert have made me go back a few pages more than once to re-read and lock in information. Moreover, I'm usually more intrigued by complexity, involving multiple characters and plot lines. In SciFi, my modern favorite is Larry Nivens (and his co-authors), who weaves such stories, while keeping you turning the pages. So, I shoot for that in mine.
Writing speculative Sci, I agree with Carl Sagan it is important to keep things accurate. So, there's a certain amount of science I have to explain as part of world building. I didn't do this as well in my first book as I did in its sequel. Nevertheless, to sell the difficulties of detecting deep fakes in book two, I had to provide a certain degree of tech talk. It's touched upon three times, out of plot needs for characters to share the information. To avoid the effect of droning, I broke up the details so readers wouldn't have to read everything all over again. The main purpose was to show the difficulties involved, so readers understood even governments–with all their assets–could still struggle to prove a video faked.
I have the same ensemble of protagonists in both my novels, but because the challenges faced are complex, they deal with other cast ensembles. So, I do use a list of characters for readers who might want reminding, but it is organized by group (ensemble) name–e.g., Terran Council, Washington DC, California, Russians, etc.
Mostly, though, I try to cut away to scene to scene by hooking each with humor, tension, or new questions to keep thing rolling. Also, I like to use short chapters with teasing titles that hint what's coming next.
Managing POV is something I had to learn, when I first started (thanks, critique groups). For the stories I'm writing, 3rd person omniscient is needed to follow the plot and sub-plots. I have a couple of rules I follow when showing more than one POV within a scene, and pay special attention to avoid the pitfalls.
I have only two characters whose names might get confused (done it myself during writing). While I haven't changed either name. I've gone back to the chapters they appear in to double down on differentiating them–and they've never appeared together in the same scene.
During critique sessions, I learned some members had missed or forgotten some of the (considerable) foreshadowing I've built into my stories. So, I began adding slightly less subtle reminders in the scenes immediately preceding major twists or "reveals."
In truth, your points are all spot-on. These are potential pitfalls that really demand consideration, but can be treated. Of course, how well I've covered my tracks will be up to my readers.
Thanks! There's nothing wrong with complexity, but it can be a fine line sometimes between complex and confusing. Sounds like you're doing everything you can to keep it as easy on your readers as you can and still tell the story you want to tell. That's great!
I have a similar issue my current SF WIP, and doing some of the same things you are. I'm trying to drop in just enough real tech talk to sound authentic, but not overwhelm readers who aren't so tech savvy.
And boy those critique partners are awesome for spotting the areas that don't work and need tweaking. 🙂
I love it when you're with us, Janice! I always get (at least) one "a-ha" and got running to my manuscript. Thank you.
Also, I am an escapist reader these days, because I have to read so much dry stuff in my day job. I need to fall into a book easy these days...or I pick up another one.
Thanks! I love coming back. That's actually a really important thing to consider--who is your target reader?
I tend to pick up easier books when I'm stressed or overworked, because, like you, I want an easy escape. But when I'm not burned out, I'll grab a more complex story I can really get into.
I sense a follow up post for next month!
Excellent! I see your name on June 9th...I'll look forward to it. 🙂
Maybe I'll actually get it in ahead of time for once! >.<
Aloha. All great points. I was reading a man Australian series where the main characters name is Jenny and another character who appears regularly is Penny. And they work together. I kept having to go back to work out who was who.
I love the idea of lining up all the names to see what looks similar. I’m a writer and editor. And I’m guilty of using A names. Lol.
The other thing I find tedious is long paragraphs. Please for the love of god people put in some paragraph breaks. If one paragraph covers a whole page - you need some breaks.
I am reading a great wee series at the moment but sometimes there are pages of no breaks. It’s putting me off getting another book in the series. I just skim the odd word. It’s very tedious to read.
And the other thing is long descriptions of scenery…or weather. Also skipped by me. It’s sunny - great. Let’s get on with it.
Thanks! I have my faves as well. I have two "-ie" names right now, and I know I need to change one, but they fit the characters too well! They're not that similar beyond that, so maybe I can get away with it 🙂
Yes! Paragraph breaks! Totally agree there. It just slows the whole book down and wears you out.
I skim a *lot* of description when I read. I don't even like writing it.
Jenny and Penny....HA! I'll bet that did get confusing.
I one million percent agree about the too many POV's point. I recently edited a book that had about 15 different POV's and it was so jarring to me.
That's a lot! And the shorter the book, the harder it is to read.
That's a lot of POVs in a single story!
Just remember that readers are as varied as writers. I love a "difficult to read" book. Often the more obtuse the better. I like the author to challenge me. Whether it is Hermann Hesse writing three chapters on the shape of a cloud, Iain M Banks creating a pidgin English language in "Feersum Endjinn" that plays with your mind and perceptions, or Peter Watts constantly using acronym's that you have no reference to, or better still his "gang of nine" character, nine minds in a single brain and you never know which one is talking. He leaves you to guess which is conversing with the other characters. Cixin Liu's alien invasion that will get here (due to the restrictions of light speed) in around seven thousand years or Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" Series with 2,782, distinct named characters (many with multiple and very similar names). For me, and a few other readers the complexity of the tale is the draw.
Now, it is worth noting that I said for me and a few others. The books I have mentioned have sold more than two hundred million copies between them.
"Feersum Endjinn" and "Blindsighted" are both in film production at the Moment. "The Wheel of time is now a major Amazon TV series on Prime. Cixin Liu's "The Three body problem" was Netflix big TV hit of last year.
So perhaps its me and a few tens of millions more. A decent audience for a book methinks.
Oh absolutely. And if someone loves to read/write complex books, go for it. There's a reader out there for every type of book you can think of.
I'm not saying complex books are bad. The whole point of this post was to shed light on some things that turn off some readers and hurt some books. Writing is not all or nothing, one rule to rule them all.
Complex novels can also be "easy to read." They make you think, and focus, and wonder, but they don't necessarily confuse you and irritate you trying to understand them.
The Wheel of Time series is actually the one I gave up on with too many characters 🙂 I enjoyed the series for a long time, but then gave up because it did indeed become "too much work" to read. I wanted to enjoy the story, not have to reference character pages to remember who was who.
I've read other books with tons of characters I didn't have that issue with. It's all in how you do it.
But you'll see just as many hits with just as many readers with simpler novels, too. As you said, readers are as varied as writers.
Such a great post. Have made almost all of these mistakes...and hated the results in other people's books.Trying to be more of a Mark Twain writer now, and take the trouble to write the short letter.
I would guess most of us have made almost all those mistakes at some point. Thanks for reading.
Thanks! That's one of my favorite quotes 🙂 Shorter is indeed harder to do well.
Thanks for these tips to writing reader-friendly book. The most common problem I see with my clients is number three. Love the example with the names!
You're most welcome 🙂 That one's a biggie for sure. It's probably the one that stops me the most. Thanks!
I love fantasy, so the odd names don't bother me, but when all the names sound alike with endings or syllables or are similar I give up because I can't keep them straight.
And like you, too many characters and points of view and I'm done (Game of Thrones) and will not complete the book. And if YOU haven't done your research and I find too many mistakes, I'll get frustrated and put the book down. And make sure I know what time period I am in if you are time traveling or switching from past to present and back again.
B.A. I'm into science fiction but can relate to the "odd names don't bother me." And poor research or not orienting us to the time period or place -- 100% agree.
Exactly. I'm a huge fantasy fan (read and write it), but quite often I just shorten them to the first few letters or the first syllable. If that's not a "name" that works, I kinda skim it.
Oh, the research one is a great, too, and is the jumping around in time. I totally need second post with all the great pet peeves folks have been posting, hehe.
added to my list of "DO NOT DO" cheat sheet!
Thanks for reading WITS, Claire. Good luck with your writing projects!
Yay!
Don't give the main character multiple nicknames. Takes the reader out of the book.
Oh my gosh, Denise. 1000% agreed. That's one of my big pet peeves.
Agreed, though I AM totally guilty of this at times 🙂 First name, last name, nickname, depending on who is talking to them or about them.
It feels more natural to me, even though I know it's going to lose folks. I always have to go back and edit and make sure I'm not overdoing it.
Thanks for this!
As a young man, I had the belief that if I started a book, it was wrong not to finish it - a sign of some character defect.
Then one day I was sitting at a table in a small branch of the base library system (I was stationed at Camp Pendleton.) I looked around at just the bookshelves visible from where I sat - I realized that if I sat there and read for sicteen hours a day, seven days a week, I wouldn't have time in the rest of my life to read all the books in that little library, let alone all those published while I was at it.
I realized that life is too short to read books that don't do anything for me (yes, I know - thanks for the news flash, Captain Obvious.) Since then I've been comfortable with putting a book down if it wasn't worth my time and picking up another. That was about forty years ago. Those years have included a lot more good books because I wasn't forcing myself to read every book I opened.
You weren't the only one with that misbelief, Jim. I did the same thing. It took me a long time to wake up to the fact that putting a book down that didn't appeal to me wasn't going to cause a calamity of some unknown sort. The good books that came after? Priceless.
Life is indeed too short to read bad books. I used to give a book three chapters, but these days the "sample read" is what I give them. If you haven't grabbed me by then, then book just isn't for me.
Yes, for some of the reasons above. But I recently stopped reading a book I'd actually paid good money for, because every paragraph I wanted to get out my red pen and slash whole sentences. I think I could have cut the book by one third and lost nothing. In fact, since it was supposed to be an edge of your seat adventure story, we'd have gained by cutting.
Sometimes those are the most frustrating books, aren't they Julia? At least they are for me. Hopefully the next one you pick up will have you turning pages as quickly as you can.
Oh, those are rough. I think "badly edited/written books" are a whole other category. I have the same problem with some movies. "Oh, if they'd only done XYZ it would have been so good!" They set up the premise so well and then don't follow through, or they have a plot hole any novelist would have spotted immediately, lol.
This is an excellent topic rarely talked about. Thank you. I've silently felt guilty for years after closing a book and muttering, "This is just too much work to read."
I think many readers feel like you Karen. I know I did for a long time. Now you can let go of that guilt (easier said than done, I know) but with practice it gets better.