42 Responses to “One Or A hundred”

1. I think it depends. I know an author who, to me, writes the same characters over and over again, same people different setting, and people love her books. When I’m in the mood for that much predictability, then I know where to go because I do enjoy the stories. If I like the author’s voice enough, then no, it doesn’t matter and I will continue to buy the books when the mood strikes me.

   Has it happened recently? Not that I can think of. But it has happened a few times. It’s like some authors have a trademark and tirelessly sticks with it. For example, all the characters may talk exactly the same, with the same slang, expressions, etc., so it’s difficult to differentiante between the hero and heroine in a scene. That bothers me. There should at least be differences between the hero and heroine in how they talk - I shouldn’t have to go back and re-read to figure out who’s talking.

   Interesting topic HelenKay. About time someone sits up and takes notice of how prolific Nora is. Even if you don’t like her books, she’s a force to be reckoned with.

   by Stacy ~ on May 7th, 2007 at 5:35 am
   
   

2. I have never come across what Stacy has re the h/h speaking the same way.

   There is one author who’s stories are similiar, h/h characteristics the same (much older hero who fights the attraction & is downright mean to the heroine) and same setting - but I read her anyway; there is just something there that draws me. Can’t figure out why. Doesnt really make sense why I still continue to read her books, but I do.

   by Pat L. on May 7th, 2007 at 6:13 am
   
   

3. Every author has their own distinctive voice and style. If I read several books by the same author, one after another, it can feel a little repetitive or I can feel totally immersed in a different world, especially if the book is a fantasy or historical. There are some authors where the repetition is tiring, so I try to space those books out, but then there are a couple of autobuy authors whose books are like going on vacation. It’s a complete escape and I can’t wait for the next one.

   by Sandy L on May 7th, 2007 at 9:22 am
   
   

4. I don’t think I notice any character been exactly the same when I have read a book by the same author..of course there are usually similar characters eg. alpha, dominant male etc.

   by Lisa W on May 7th, 2007 at 9:46 am
   
   

5. If the only thing changed in a story was the name of the character but everything else seem exactly like each other book written then this certainly would make no sense in continuing to read the books.

   by Shuck Ying on May 7th, 2007 at 9:48 am
   
   

6. I read a lot of Harlequin Presents books from the library. I find many of the storylines are very similar but each author has a different writing style so each story is a stand alone read.

   by Deborah on May 7th, 2007 at 9:50 am
   
   

7. I never compare one book to another. Every author has their own unique way of writing about the story and their characters. If they didn’t you would here complaints all the time and no one would be reading them . I myself have not read any books that were similiar to each other. And I love to read.LOL

   by Kimberly Lane on May 7th, 2007 at 10:23 am
   
   

8. no never, i read variety of book and themes are the same but i don;t really compare, i dont find myself doing that.

   by kim h on May 7th, 2007 at 11:20 am
   
   

9. When I notice that I’m reading the same story but different characters by the same author, I just stop reading their books.

   by Dru on May 7th, 2007 at 11:47 am
   
   

10. There is one author I read where the heroine is very similiar in each story - feisty, dry humor, wise-cracking etc.
    I did stop reading her books for awhile.
    Most of the time, it just depends on what mood I’m in and what kind of storyline appeals to me on that particular day.

    by Sandra M on May 7th, 2007 at 11:55 am
    
    

11. Even if this does occur I still read the book. Each set of characters are someone you get to meet and like or dislike and the situation is different. I can’t recall very many, if any, situations that I have come across like this; thank goodness!!!

    by RobynL on May 7th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
    
    

12. I’ve never thought about this before but I think there is a difference between noticing some similarities to a previous storyline or character and feeling that it is the same story, different book.

    by Maureen on May 7th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
    
    

13. There was only once thus far that I read a book that I said was just like another one the author wrote. It was between two Amanda Quick ones. . . but the second one I read I liked a lot better than the first. LOL (If I remembered the titles I’d put them, but I’m not in the same room with the books right now) While they were quite similiar, there were the differences that made me kind of like the first but really like the second. But other than those two, I really don’t remember ever thinking of it.

    As a general idea though, I’m sure it happens to plenty of authors after a while, but as long as it’s different enough from the other, then it’s okay. Besides, even more generally, you could say everyone uses the same ideas, there are no new ones anymore, it’s just a matter of what an author does with them.

    Lois

    by Lois on May 7th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
    
    

14. I don’t like books by the same author to sound like the ones she has written in the past. That’s why I love Nora’s books! They are always different and always good!

    by Carol on May 7th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
    
    

15. I get turned off on a book when it is too predictable. I like to be wowed and excited about the books I read. If a book is similar but offers different details, I can still like it if the writer’s voice is compelling.

    by Stephanie S. on May 7th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
    
    

16. If I’m really being swept along by the story, I don’t get too caught up in little details.

    I read a lot of paranormal romance & *do* tend to get annoyed if/when the books start to sound similar, but yes, the book *can* wind up being a keeper if it’s well written enough and I enjoy the story.

    It takes quite a bit for me to knock a favorite author off my “autobuy” list.

    by Karen W. on May 7th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
    
    

17. I would definetely stop reading the book if it felt too similiar to the last book by that author. I dont know if they think, ”ok this is my winning formula, I must stick with it!” or if the authors dont even realize they’re doing this. I once heard someone say reading Janet Evanovich is like reading the same book over and over but with a tiny difference in each book. It’s like fill in the blanks and having the same story again. Now dont get me wrong, I love Evanovich, but it is true. I think they just found a winning formula that everyone likes and they think, ”if it aint broke, why fix it?”

    by RachaelfromNJ on May 7th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
    
    

18. I’ve tried reading Evanovich’s out of series books or her early books and all of the main characters seem so much like Stephanie Plum. It’s like she only has one character in her head and can’t write anything different.

    On the other hand…Nancy Bartholomew is a favorite author of mine. She wrote a series that consisted of 4 books with a character named Sierra Lavotini. Her publisher didnt contract her for anymore books in the series so the series was left cold. I was so dissapointed when reading this, but was happy to read that Nancy’s Stella books sound ALOT like the Sierra books. The main character’s personality seems very similar so I will pick those books up to get my Sierra fix. I know that sounds weird that now I am saying I like that she wrote this character the same as her other! I havent read those books yet so I’m not positive, but from what I’ve seen they seem alot like her other books.

    by RachaelfromNJ on May 7th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
    
    

19. I think this is only normal with an author with a huge back list. I go on a huge glom and read one book after another and then feel they are all the same. I need to give myself a break. I leave it for awhile and try that author again. I love their writing but if you read too many in row, I think the tendency is they sound the same.

    by carolanne on May 7th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
    
    

20. This rarely bothers me. If I like an author’s voice, I’ll keep reading her work. Sometimes I’ll notice that she uses similar expressions in various books, but it doesn’t really bother me since it is part of her voice. And I don’t find that most authors tend to repeat characters much, so that hasn’t been a problem, either. What I do notice (and it really annoys me) is if the hero thinks or speaks like a woman. I’ve noticed that a LOT lately. And once the hero starts to act or sound like a woman, the author has lost me as a reader.

    by Gail Barrett on May 7th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
    
    

21. I don’t have any autobuy authors…but I do autobuy series. I haven’t yet taken a series off of my list due to un-freshness, but I could see it happening. I guess I’d like to give the author the benefit of the doubt that the next book will be more original.

    I try not to read the same author’s works back-to-back, for the reason that many stated before me… they do tend to sound the same- especially if they are in a series.

    Oh, and I wanted to comment on Rachel’s post. I love Nancy Bartholomew’s Sierra series and was disappointed when it just ended. I could have used one more story just to tie up some loose ends.

    by Jennifer K. on May 7th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
    
    

22. I haven’t noticed that problem but perhaps it is because I tend to put quite a bit of time between reading boks by the same author. If I noticed that the books were starting to seem too familiar, then I would put more time between books.

    by Linda F on May 7th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
    
    

23. My first thought is that if you love an author’s voice, you have to accept that there will be the occasional overlap of characters from one book to another. But if you’ve ever followed an author’s work from one decade to another I think you’ll notice this not to be a problem. People are changed by their experiences and for an author it gets reflected in their writing. Maybe the trick to reading a favorite author is to NOT read their work chronologically, but to mix it up.

    by Sue A. on May 7th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
    
    

24. I think that most stories have been told in some way, but I think that the individual characters are what make the book unique. I’m not saying that every book is similar but of course at the end of any good romance, the couple will have a happily ever after.

    by Patty L. on May 7th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
    
    

25. Yes, when I read books, I definitely get caught up in all of the details of the book. I enjoy reading a lot and I love how every author has their own unique writing style. I love reading books by various authors including Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Danielle Steel, and Gail Gaymer Martin.

    by Emma on May 7th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
    
    

26. I make a point of putting a little time between most of my authors. sometimes they give me no choice lol. At the moment my favorite author is Jodi Picoult. I’ve read 6 or 7 of her books so far and each one is totally different but yet there is always something there that seems to be meant for me. I’m not a big series reader either so maybe that’s why I have come across that repetitiveness.

    by catslady on May 7th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
    
    

27. okay sorry - I meant to say that’s why I haven’t come across that repetitivess - A lot of times I mix up genres too

    by catslady on May 7th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
    
    

28. I haven’t noticed that problem with the books I read. I do read a lot of books by different authors with the same story line, but they write it different. I do have certain story lines that I love to read over and over again.

    by Amy S. on May 7th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
    
    

29. I have started to read a book that, as I begin, reads very much like a book I have read before. I keep reading and usually find differences in the book…either different viewpoints, characters, and/or messages in the books. This doesn’t happen often, but I have come across similar plotted books.

    by Kathleen on May 7th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
    
    

30. Depends. I have an author that I started reading when I was really young and in her books the h/h have basically the same traits and even though the locations and jobs and whatnot change I know can predict the way the story goes. But I love her anyways and will probably continue to read her in the future. Cause she is someone I can depend on for a nice read. Not exciting but a nice read all the same. Like a security blanket almost. but authors that are new to me I will put down a lot faster that I would her. There was one in particular that I thought her books were getting the same ole same ole and I had decided if the next book was the same then I wasn’t wasting my money anymore. And darn it that wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read of hers and the next one was better still. You just never can tell.

    by Pamk on May 7th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
    
    

31. I can’t say I’ve found it to happen often. I don’t mind if characters’ type of speech, slang, etc. are a bit repetitive in different stories by the same author as long as the plot and individual scenes are unique.

    by Cheryl S. on May 7th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
    
    

32. Depends. If names and certain details or distinctive characteristics/phrasing is the same, it does bother me.

    by Little Lamb Lost on May 7th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
    
    

33. Hmmm, when I did find one author becoming repetitive, I stopped reading her. It’s been a few years but I think there were some Dakota and Alaska books that seemed like they were recyled and I started getting the characters confused. *sigh* However, if I’m only disappointed in one book by an autobuy author, I’ll definitely give her another try.

    by L Byrd on May 7th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
    
    

34. If an author has two very similar books, I would feel cheated especially if I paid full price. I don’t care if the plot is similar…I want different characters and situations. The surrounding people can be featured in previous stories…series…but the main hero and heroine should be unique.
    I do have autobuy authors… if I was dissappointed I would probably give them another try before giving up on them completely.
    Biggest pet peeve: I hate it when old books are given a face lift … a new cover/new title without telling the buyer.
    Another problem I had a few years back was with a category author, it was a Desire, an author who I had read before… it was very short, boring, poor story line, type seemed streched to fill the pages… I couldn’t believe that it had been published!! I NEVER purchased another book of hers! I felt that I had been ripped off by the author and the Desire line.

    by Laurie G on May 8th, 2007 at 5:05 am
    
    

35. Sometimes that does happen and when it does I feel very disappointed. It does make me hesitate when the next book comes out. I’ll wait and see if I really want it or not.

    by Joyce on May 8th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
    
    

36. Sometimes an author has what I refer to as their “formula”. And as along as the story itself is fresh and interesting, I don’t mind it. And many of those authors are auto-buy for me.

    by Angie T on May 8th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
    
    

37. I don’t compare, I read a verity of romance books by a verity of authors. I haven’t come across anything that was the same. Unless it was in a trilogy or series I was reading by the same author.

    by Tammy G on May 8th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
    
    

38. You know, there are so many wonderful books and authors in the world. And it’s bound to happen that some authors write the same type of story as another. Or they get into a frame a mind where a couple of their books might sound simlar. But for me, I never thought that was a big deal. I mean, it’s not as if the author is using the same exact words or characters. And she/he won’t write the story in exactly the same way. It’s only if the certain author keeps writing say over 4 or 5 books that sound exactly the same that I worry. But I really don’t see that happening. Mainly because authors must themselves tire of the same plot. So yes, I will still buy an authors works and stay a true fan. Sometimes you have to hang in there. And most times that wait is well rewarded.

    by April on May 9th, 2007 at 4:12 am
    
    

39. Thanks for all of the great comments. This is just one of those issues I wonder about.

    And…we have a winner Congrats to Shuck Ying (Comment #5). The gift certificate is yours. Contact me and I’ll get it out to you.

    by HelenKay on May 10th, 2007 at 10:18 am
    
    

40. wtg shuck

    by kim h on May 10th, 2007 at 11:14 am
    
    

41. congrats Shuck Ying

    by RobynL on May 10th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
    
    

42. Thank you HelenKay. I sent you an email.

    by Shuck Ying on May 12th, 2007 at 2:32 pm