Consistency can be a problem for every author, including those on the New York Time best sellers list.
I've just finished listening to an audio book by such an author. This particular person has published over thirty books in as many languages, world wide. With those credentials, who am I to make comments on their style?
Simply put, I am a reader, or, in this case, a listener.
The story was decent. But the use of worn out cliches, followed by $37.59 words, was a distraction. This dichotomy of phrasing left the impression that a novice writer had searched a thesaurus to wedge in a few "look at how many words I know" tidbits. This attempt to lend credence to the manuscript didn't work.
There was a full cast of characters (fifteen introduced in the first three chapters) of varying ages. The use of so many players is problematic at best. The author had kids doing kid-speak and adults doing adult-speak. But the author lost themselves in the writing and sometimes the adults used kid-speak. However, the author balanced these misuses with $37.59 words and one that was worth well over $63.00.
This person has devoted followers. This person has written good books. It is easier to gloss over a bit of inconsistency when the words are on the page and not being heard. But, no agent and no publishing house will forgive this indulgence from an unknown.
If you must, record your text and listen to the playback. Strive for consistency. Dream big dreams and reach for your goals. And, whatever you do, keep writing.
As promised, I'm including the first chapter of "My Dead". You can read more about this story in the current projects section of this site. Site navigation made easy by clicking RwriterN at the top left of this page or the site map at top right.