tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post2816782041023979834..comments2024-03-28T20:04:18.471-05:00Comments on Somewhere Only We Know: Discussions Only We Know: Repetitive ThemesSomewhere Only We Knowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301973028870770126noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post-80264646344026916752015-02-17T19:41:00.300-06:002015-02-17T19:41:00.300-06:00I agree. Each genre seems to have their own repeat...I agree. Each genre seems to have their own repeating themes. I do try to rotate genres when I'm reading to help break up some of the repetitiveness, but often I find that I'm in a mood for one genre or other, and I just have to roll with it. Even fantasy has some repeating patterns and even similar worlds sometimes, but you're right, because there are so many other things to focus on, sometimes the patterns aren't as obvious.<br /><br />I do love when an author can handle one of these themes in a way that is different from the usual. Surprise me. And even if it is the same old, if it is done well then I'm okay with it.<br /><br />I think you're so right. It feels more to be like the gay characters are there because the author or publisher has an agenda--trying to change the public's thoughts/feelings towards homosexuality--and often (though not always) not because the character genuinely fits the story. It just feels forced sometimes. Like exactly what you said...the author/publisher is trying to create acceptance. Personally, I think there's a big misconception in the world today that just because someone doesn't support homosexuality means that person is full of hate or discriminates. I know that to be false. <br /><br />I do think you've made another great point about race. I don't seek to read books about people who are *only* like me, but it is proven that the reader often tries to put themselves in the role of the main character. That's more difficult to do when the main character isn't like you--race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, etc. I'm not a reader who makes a big stance on how there needs to be more diversification in books when it comes to those things (race, gender, etc) because I don't read for those things. I read for the story. <br /><br />Great thoughts Mandy! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Knowhttp://sandyfarmer.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post-40336290201215528912015-02-17T19:26:41.791-06:002015-02-17T19:26:41.791-06:00Ugh yes! Miscommunication/misunderstanding can be ...Ugh yes! Miscommunication/misunderstanding can be so frustrating to the reader because since the reader has more information than the characters usually do it just seems like such an easy fix.<br /><br />OH YES! Your number 2 was a great point! I hate in paranormal books when everyone but the main character knows what's going on but no one will clue him/her in! <br /><br />Haha! Yeah, I can see that being a frustration too! <br /><br />Thanks for your commenting Shannon!Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Knowhttp://sandyfarmer.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post-86036916845162734062015-02-17T19:24:49.313-06:002015-02-17T19:24:49.313-06:00I think you're right Lola. If the themes are r...I think you're right Lola. If the themes are repetitive, it doesn't even matter if the author handles them well. I do love a love triangle that keeps me guessing as long as the main character is actually conflicted and not all in with both characters depending on which one he/she's with at the time.<br /><br />I completely agree! It does seem like often authors write in a break up just to throw some kind of conflict into the story. It often feels forced and not genuine at all. <br /><br />Yes, I think again with the gay characters for me is that it usually also feels forced. And sometimes it just feels like the author/publisher is trying to include them because the topic is so popular right now.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and commenting!Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Knowhttp://sandyfarmer.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post-50233748104982799742015-02-15T13:10:02.923-06:002015-02-15T13:10:02.923-06:00Great topic! I think that, depending on the genre ...Great topic! I think that, depending on the genre of the book, they are more likely to have repetitive tropes coming through. ie, if it's contemporary, it's more likely to follow the romantic genre tropes of hot guy falling for average girl/love triangle (though props must be given to S. C. Stephens on managing to portray a love triangle in what I imagine must be the closest to truth I've read so far. She pulls no punches on the pain and guilt aspects, and that was refreshing - if painful as hell - to read). <br />I do find myself leaning less and less towards contemporary romance stories because of that; I seem to find that fantasy genres (and derivatives, so dystopia, etc) tend to have more variables in them, simply because the world construction is so much more a part of the story, meaning the romance aspects get a backseat to the world and characters. Some great examples of this are Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series and Sara Raasch's Snow like Ashes books - not to mention The Hunger Games - all of which focus more on the characters and their journey (which by necessity means they're less likely to repeat, since each author creates different worlds and characters) than the romantic aspect.<br /><br /><br />I do have to disagree with you on one aspect, though, and that is the homosexuality in novels. I think that just because only 1.8% of US population is publicly gay, doesn't mean there aren't many, many more people out there who are, but are afraid to come out. Representation is a big issue in literature, and one that isn't commented on enough. Obviously, for stories that take place in say Norway or Russia, it's expected that most of the characters would be white, but once you leave that kind of place, it's unfair of us to expect that 100% of characters should be white or heterosexual. Especially for homosexuality, that is still fighting for recognition and acceptance, representation in literature aimed at young adults can be crucial in helping to create a more accepting, open-minded generation that is less likely to discriminate and spread hate. So maybe it is shown too much (though personally, I think it's not enough, especially in the big series that will reach wider audiences), but it's all fiction - it doesn't need, nor is it trying sometimes, to accurately represent real life and numbers. I do agree that there needs to be more depth and actual reason for the gay character to be there (a great example of gay characters that are actually useful to the plot can be found in Magnus and Alec in Cassie Clare's books), rather than just for the author's conscience that they've added diversity by putting them there.Mandy Rosasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post-22354288282883633162015-02-15T00:48:17.562-06:002015-02-15T00:48:17.562-06:00I love this post! I've been noticing a lot of...I love this post! I've been noticing a lot of repetition too. Some of the ones that really annoy me are:<br />1. Miscommunication. I cannot stand it when romances go sour because of a misunderstanding that can be cleared up in one conversation. <br />2. When a character knows something about another character but won't explain anything. This happens a lot in paranormal books. Usually when a girl character is introduced to a previous unknown paranormal element and a mysterious boy comes to protect her, but refuses to actually tell her anything.<br />3. I am tired of the "special snowflake" routine. It makes me roll my eyes so hard when a girl is thrust into a new and strange situation and suddenly everyone loves her and she changes all these things and always wins whatever contest she is involved in.Shannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611036570698926101.post-79617485380790124642015-02-14T15:25:14.415-06:002015-02-14T15:25:14.415-06:00Great post! There certainly are a lot of repetitiv...Great post! There certainly are a lot of repetitive themes in books, but it really depends on how they are beign handled. I actually don't midn the love triangles as much as I did, I am currently readign the second book in Siobhan Davis her True Calling series and I actually like how she handled the love triangle, one moment I think I got it figured out and then somethgin happens that makes me wonder if the other guy does have a chance after all.<br /><br />The repetitive theme I dislike most nowadays it the obligatory break up, some days it seems like eveyr romance book has these, usually towards the end when you just think they are together and the only drama thing left to try it the break up and ofcourse they get together after that. I always think that break-ups are so drastic, sure it can be a bit rocky for some time, but you don't immediately have to break up. You can stay together and work throguh those issues.<br /><br />I don't mind the gay character, but it seems like they are always the same. He's always a side character, like the author just added a gay side character so there is diversity. Sometimes it feels natural, other times not and it's a bit exagerrated. I also can't stand the miscommunication and how it feel like the whole plot or drama could be prevented if they just talked it over. Or the keeping secrets that come back to bite them later on.<br /><br />I think most of these themes are real indeed and it's difficult to be really original, although often I am alreayd happy when these issues are handled in a less predictable way or at least a bit original. Especially when I read a lot of books in a short period of time I feel like every book is the same, but nowadays I have that less as I only read about one book a week.Lola Rnoreply@blogger.com