The Shredding
Has your literary work ever been publicly shredded? I’m not referring to valid criticism, of course. I’m talking about verbal disemboweling, about those vicious, nasty, condescending slams that make your soul curl up in disgust.
I’ve been trying to analyze why I’m fuming after reading comments about the upcoming new suspense novel by SW Vaughn, entitled Devil’s Honor. The author submitted a chapter and synopsis for an “honest” review by a self-proclaimed paragon of publishing expertise. I know this book well and was enraged when I read the comments. Not just miffed. Not just ticked off. Truly and properly livid. I’ve had to wait a few days to write about it, because I was afraid I’d lash out in an unprofessional way if I let the emotions curdle on the page.
I’m not going to detail all of the completely unfounded criticisms this “expert” had to offer. Suffice it to say that the comments were facetious in the worst sense of the word. They fell into the realm of the “I’m better than all of you schmucks and I’ll prove it at anyone’s expense” kind of comments. I’m sure you’ve read or heard critics like this. It’s as if they live to put down another’s work to shore up their flagging egos, or whatever else might be flagging in their lives.
Sure, everyone has a right to his or her opinion. This is America. We encourage freedom of speech, yadda, yadda, yadda. But, there’s a right way to deliver criticism. And this wasn’t it.
Let’s take a look at a fictitious example.
You’ve just read a fellow author’s book and want to provide advice. The novel was filled with highly descriptive scene painting, but the characters were flat. Do you say, “The characters in this book were so two dimensional that I lost interest immediately. Joe seemed to be made from cardboard and couldn’t be more boring, with a capital ‘B’.” Or, do you offer an alternative: “I enjoyed the vivid imagery. However, I wanted to know more about Joe. What was he feeling when he found his daughter? Relief? Anxiety? Sorrow? Tell me more about everything he sees, hears, tastes, and feels. This will bring more immediacy to your work.”
The comments made by the editor about Devil’s Honor were closer to the first example, but tinged with spite.
I took them personally, because I’m actually smitten with Vaughn’s work. Much to my surprise, I fell in love with it as soon as I’d read one chapter in Fallen Angel, the first book in the series. I was all set to be shaken and possibly even revolted. SW warned me. “It’s really violent. Be prepared.” I was prepared, but not for what happened. Vaughn’s books crept up on me in such a way that I found myself craving more. I was besotted with the tight prose, the superb characterization, and the devilishly twisted plot.
And then there’s Vaughn’s evil character, Jenner: one of the most vile and complex literary figures ever imagined. The Indian psychiatrist-cum-sadist is a frightening individual. He scared the hell out of me, then compelled me to read on. It was a peculiar paradox that set the hook even deeper.
Though my genre tends to mystery/suspense, ala John D. MacDonald, Dean Koontz, or Clive Cussler, I quickly found myself embroiled in a world of illegal fight clubs beneath the streets of Manhattan. Much to my surprise, I liked it! Vaughn has a hell of a way with words. The characters and dialogue are enticing. I began to crave more of Vaughn’s world every day. And when I finished one book, I sought out the next, and the next. Yeah, I’m hooked, big time.
There’s a lot of “bad” in these books. Yet within the evil, one sometimes glimpses good. It’s strange, and it’s alluring.
The publishing “expert” predicted that Vaughn’s book wouldn’t sell because it would be impossible to write fight scenes effectively. I beg to differ. The fight scenes are flawlessly executed. I felt the jabs, tasted the blood, and brushed away the sweat. I sensed the impact of flesh on flesh, reeled from the kicks to my ribs, and saw my opponent in double vision as perspiration rolled down my brow. I would say, unequivocally, that Vaughn has actually set the standard for writing fight scenes.
On top of that, Vaughn has already proven him wrong. The first two books in the series were sold to a big publisher. Much to my delight, Fallen Angel and Devil’s Honor are being released in tandem in December of 2005. Check them out at: www.swvaughn.com.
Aaron Paul Lazar lives in Upstate New York with his wife, three daughters, two grandsons, mother-in- law, dog, and four cats. After writing in the early morning hours, he works as an electrophotographic engineer at NexPress Solutions in Rochester, New York. Additional passions include gardening, preparing large family feasts, photography, cross-country skiing, playing a distinctly amateur level of piano, and spending “time” with the French Impressionists whenever possible.
Although he adored raising his three delightful daughters, Mr. Lazar finds grandfathering his “two little buddies” to be one of the finest experiences of his life.
Double Forte’, the first in the LeGarde series, was published in January 2005. Upstaged, number two, is now available for purchase. Mazurka, number three, is ready to go to press. With eight books under his belt, Mr. Lazar is currently working on the ninth book in the series.
More info can be found at: http://www.legardemysteries.com or contact the author at: gusandcamille@yahoo.com
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