Why is it so difficult for authors to settle on a happy medium? It just doesn't make any sense to me.
They must either write a long, boring, literary, character based snooze fest, where nothing happens, or a ridiculously paced action-packed meaningless glob, where action is used for the sake of action, and where characters are so shallow and cardboard-like no one cares what happens to them.
Whatever happened to telling a good story where meaningful, well-drawn characters are shaken out of their daily complacency and forced to grow in a significant way in order to solve their problems.
Action for the sake of action is silly; deep character studies for the sake of complexity are just boring.
All great writers are able to find a happy medium.
They create compelling characters, with interesting problems, from which action just flows naturally.
These writers create memorable scenes that are not easily forgotten.
It is how true classics are created; this is how unforgettable characters come alive and seem to jump off the page.
I've read many a comic book and dime novel, whose stories and characters are far better than some of the crap that passes for fiction today.
The sad part is that those who attempt literary novels, are probably trying to create something of value by distancing themselves from the action obsessed, violence without purpose, junk that passes for fiction today.
The problem is that in their obsession to create something meaningful, they manage to suck the life out of their work.
What they end up with is a dry husk littered with boring characters, and uninteresting situations that put even the most avid readers to sleep.
Happy medium, please.
Happy glorious, interesting and exciting medium.
It's not too much to ask.