I am a professed and convicted bibliophile, sentencing my mind to forever reading both good and crudtacular novels. I love books. I love good books. I even love good bad books I love learn from truly horrifically written novels.

Like: V.C Andrews. Her first two series, anyway. (The NUMEROUS series written by her ghostwriter are dull and duller. No incest or anything intriguing like that. Please, Gentle Reader, sense the sarcasm in the last sentence.) She cranked out the Dollanganger and Casteel series before she, unfortunately, passed away from cancer. They are rather poorly constructed, and of rather dubious worth in the literature world. Well, other than as an example on awful yet interesting writing.

Yet….there is something compelling about those two series; I think it’s called “morbid fascination.” Like a wreck, it’s hard to look away. I, am sad to say, love reading them. I am not lying when I say they are a good example of poor literature. I guess they give me hope that I, too, can be published and become a much beloved author.

And, off the record, I think V.C Andrews had some serious issues she needed to address with a licensed counselor. She was FAR too interested in half-uncle liasions for my comfort.

Anne McCaffrey/Todd McCaffrey:. I think the Pern (a sci-fi series that features genetically engineered dragons fighting space debris that consumes anything organic. Whew! What a mouthful.) novels were great fun. In the beginning. Before she let her fans bug her for more! More! MORRRE! And before she let her kid come on board as a co-pilot.

Ugh.

Not that he’s a bad writer, but I have the idea that writers need to come up with their own ideas, characters, and worlds. His writing doesn’t quite….fit and it shows. Note to popular authors: Make your wanna-be writer offspring come up with something original! Oh, and my words of wisdom also applies to you also, Brian Herbert. Stop plundering your father’s (Frank Herbert, author of my beloved original Dune books) legacy. Ok? Thanks! Bye!

Thomas Harris. The Silence of the Lambs is probably one of the best fictional crime novels with the most unforgettable and chilling character ever to grace both the printed page and big screen–Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

But, with subsequent novels about the homicidial Lecter, Mr. Harris seemed to be so fascinated with his own creation, he forgot to keep in mind several things.

• When to let go of his character.
• Too much development can be a bad thing.

I was happier not knowing where Hannibal Lecter came from, thank you very much.

What say you?