The Vivid, Continuous Dream

Author Alina Adams, guesting on Sarah Weinman's blog, writes:

Does an author's personal life affect your enjoyment of their books? ...Does knowing about an author's personal life help or hinder? Have you ever put down a book because of something you learned about the author? Have you ever picked one up?

When I'm reading, I want to be completely engrossed in the author's fictional world (what John C. Gardner called "the vivid, continuous dream"). Too many details thrown in from the author's life, not well blended into the flow of a story, distract me.

For example, almost all of Robert B. Parker's fiction involves complicated, borderline-obsessive love relationships mirroring Parker's own young commitment, separation, and reconciliation with his wife...

The characters and story are most important in fiction. There are other forums if an author wants to unload, discuss personal beliefs, issues, etc.

To answer the second question, I've only avoided reading a book when I know the author is skimping on effort, rehashing old material, or had the book ghostwritten. Otherwise, I can separate authors' fiction from their personal beliefs. For example, I probably couldn't stand Chandler as a man, but I enjoy his fiction.