Comments on: Spoiler alert!

By: Lori Sizemore

Lori Sizemore — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:21:22 +0000

I don’t think I came to intensely hate spoilers until I started seriously writing (more truthfully, learning about craft). Now, I respect that an author lets me know things in the right time to maximize my enjoyment of the story so I am strict about watching every episode, in order, unspoiled.

The same, really, is true of reality TV. They know, I think, before they begin editing and putting the show together who is going to win, who is going to be likable and despised–and they play to that.

By: Clix

Clix — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:43:57 +0000

I am a spoilaholic! When I'm not thinking/wondering/worrying about what's going to happen, I can focus my limited mental powers on how and why it happens, and that's really what I enjoy more. Knowing the ending helps me spot the details that lead there!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 03:17:12 +0000

I dislike spoilers. I hate it when I am following is tv show or movie and someone fast forwards the DVR to expose the outcome of a plot. Suspense is the key to a good story.

By: Giora

Giora — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:38:02 +0000

Thanks Lauren for an interesting topic. Personally, I don’t mind to know the end in advance but I will not bother to go to websites who post the ending. And sometimes, with books I do go to the final chpaters without reading the middle. Some books I read as a “research” to learn how best selling authors, or authors in my genre, write. For example, in the book “The Song of the Silk Road” by Mingmei Yip she has a twist in the final chapters, so after reading the first chapters to comprehend her setting and style of writing, I went to search for the ending. Some movies like “Muriel’s wedding” and “Bridget’s Jones Diary” I can watch a few times, while knowing the ending. It doesn’t really matter. The ending and twists are over-rated in comparisioon to the overall experience .
The only place where spoilrs might be devastining is in sport games for the championship. If you arleady know who will win the Superbowl, for example, you might lose interest in watching.
Have a wonderful weeknd.

By: Rowenna

Rowenna — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:32:51 +0000

Interesting! When it comes to high-conflict, tense books or movies, I tend to get too invested and, by extension, stressed. I am so worried while reading or watching that the guy and girl aren’t going to get together, that my favorite character will kick the bucket, that the winner is going to be the jerk I wasn’t rooting for, that I’d rather just know. I’ve been known to skip to the end just to see who’s still talking. Then I can enjoy the book more–actually read it, savor the language, laugh at the fun parts. This may be why I like re-reading so much–now that I know the end, I can actually enjoy the book.

By: Diane Henders

Diane Henders — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:57:18 +0000

I’ve always avoided spoilers. Then yesterday, I read the article you mention. I wasn’t sure whether to believe it or not.

By sheer coincidence, that same day, I downloaded a Kindle sample. The author had posted a partial synopsis on his web site, and when I read it, I found a few (minor) spoilers.

And, darn it, I *did* enjoy the book more, simply because when characters were introduced, I already had an idea who they were and what part of their journey would be.

I’m not sure if I’m completely converted or not… but it was certainly an eye-opener.