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Blog Archive
Marabou and Glitter
*Sin rummages through a wooden chest and starts throwing things out over her head*
-Ter- “What the hell is she doing?”
-Marn- “I think she’s looking for the glitter.”
-Lis- *puts her hand over her eyes and grimaces* "Or she's looking for the missing part of her skirt. Full moon alert."
*Pirates are snorting with laughter*
-Hellion- *eye roll at the mess* “Maybe she lost Ranger in that mess.”
*Sin shoots Hellion the death stare from over her shoulder* “Don’t go there.”
The pile of junk grew higher and higher until it started to sway in the wind. Lightening cracked over the sky and Sin’s triumphant battle cry echoed over the sea. “Ah-ha! I found it.”
She held it in the air, almost like a scene right out of Lion King. It was solid black. Marabou feathers adorned the edges of wood, silver glitter puff paint on the top spelled out “Sin”. Sin brushed it off and blew on it until all traces of dust were gone.
“This,” Sin said, strutting away from the pile of junk in the middle of the top deck. “I’ve been looking for this everywhere. I can’t have a proper soapbox rant without my soapbox.”
I don’t need a microphone for what I’m about to say. In fact, if you’re past the point of listening to soapboxes, you might want to skip to the bold print below. It’s about to get ugly ‘round here.
I am a faithful reader. I have been since I was old enough to learn what I liked and disliked about books. The first time I realized I loved romance novels, it was an accident. Purely accidently. The historical was mixed in with the pre-teen books. I fell in love with the cover art of a castle on the cliff, a girl with black hair and gorgeous blue eyes being swept away into the sea. I picked it up and snuck it home. I poured over the pages of that book. The second time I got my hands on a romance novel, it was a contemporary (I didn’t know it at the time) and it bored the living socks off me. The difference between the two books was the writing. The author. The amount of feeling and passion and emotion put into the words behind every sentence.
I’m drawn to books that pull me in and make me feel like I’m there. Does that make me crazy? Maybe, but the jury’s been out on that a long time now.
Lately I find myself falling off the bandwagon of faithful readership. Why you might ask? Well, I love authors. I realize the more I meet regardless if it’s in person or through email or interaction online that they are people too. They are just like you, the reader, even though they are the author. They know how to appreciate their readers because they treat them HOW they’d want to be treated if the role was reversed. But it only takes one author to ruin the whole apple cart. One author to act like an ass and pretend like it’s okay to offend her readers because her readership is so vast, who cares if it upsets someone or a group of people who read her books.
I am NOT crazy. I’m offended that you, the author of the series about a character you created and the readers who happen to love this character you’ve created, deems them crazy. That seems a little redundant to me. Shouldn’t you be thrilled that you have readers who love anything you create?
Maybe that’s the problem. Yup, I’ve hit the nail on the head.
Now, I’m not going to name names. Trust me, I want to in the worst way. This author has been on my $*#T list for the past two years now. It’s okay to flaunt that you think you’re readers will pick up and read anything you put out. It’s okay to not give a flying @u*k about story integrity. Where is the loyalty to your readers! The people who put money in your pocket and keep you an author! That’s right! An author !! That’s why you started writing in the first place, wasn’t it?! Have you forgotten already that it takes readers to keep you being an author? And if you don’t want it anymore- STOP writing.
I know I’ve stopped buying.
At this point, there is nothing this author can do to make me want to buy or read another one of her books. She has pushed me so far past my tolerance line that all I do now is hope and pray that other readers will eventually come to the conclusion she just doesn’t give a $*#T anymore.
And I don’t either. I’m done.
*Sin saunters over to her wooden chest and places the soapbox neatly at the bottom. Then quietly closes the top, leaving the rest of the crap out*
We’re not going to name names today. In fact, I’ve probably manage to offend tons of people with this blog. I can’t say I’m sorry. I want to know what you think about authors. Have you ever met an author (online or in person) who seemed very dismissive and it killed your desire to read their books? Any really great author/reader stories to share today?
Remember NO NAMES!
Influenced by this week: I don't give a f**k, Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys- Kings of Crunk
Word.
Books by the Crew
58 comments:
Holy corn flakes! Sin, I'm glad the Atlantic ocean separates us this morning! I can feel the burn from here.
Have you met 'She who shall not be named' in person? It must be a she, for no man would dare set you on fire like this! If so, her ears must be burning like hot coals.
I must say that meeting romance writers on line has been a very positive experience for me. They have invariably charmed me out of my socks, even when I ask the stupidest of questions. I always go away wanting to read more of their work.
I suppose there always has to be a bad apple in the barrel though.
In a scientific context I have met one or two authors who made me cringe. Any question gets interpreted as criticism of their ideas and they may try to intimidate by implying that the questions are too stupid to deserve consideration.
In those cases I have tended to go away fired up to find fatal flaws in their work! When I have calmed down enough to reflect a little I tend to think it may be lack of confidence or experience makes people like this.....though one or two definitely belong in Hades!
I have yet to meet a woman scientist who had that effect though! :D
PS
André Maurois said:
'On n'aime pas une femme pour ce qu'elle dit; on aime ce qu'elle dit parce qu'on l'aime.'
(translated:'You don’t love a woman for what she says, but love what she says because you love her')
Sin, you need to love the author first! :lol:
Now this is a fun blog...
Yes I've stopped reading authors because of their rabid personalities online.
And I've stopped reading authors who start publishing shit because they think they are kingshit after a handful of books... or is that queen shit since I usually read femmes?
I will name names for this because I adore this person. I met Toni Blake online. Through avon fanlit. I remember being a stupid twit when she was talking about her books, I said I would never read a contemporary, and was very firm about my dislike of the idea of reading a contemp setting. And yet, she was still sweet as pie but we still chatted throughout the contest in the threads (yes insert both feet in mouth, tilt head back chug all the way up the legs until firmly choking) Well I read one of her books out of curiousity---you know standing at the store looking at all the titles doing the meh dance then AHHA, lo and behold Toni Blake right there on the shelf, I know this woman---sort of--she's a doll. I bought it. Immediately fell in love. IMMEDIATELY emailed her, told her what an idiot I was for swallowing those feet and now email her after every new release. And her books have not disappointed me since!
I'm pretty fussy to start with, and have a limited number of automatic-go-to authors. Most of them have been wonderfully warm and generous in BBs and e-mails, particularly Christine Merrill. But I note that my enthusiasm for reading has dimmed the longer I work on my own stuff. I'm much more critical than I used to be.
I try to be cognizant when I'm online that someone might misinterpret something I write (after all, they can't see the sparkle in my eye or hear the tease in my voice), but I'm sure I've pissed some people off and I'm not even famous, LOL.
I definitely have stopped reading people because of this effect. Not so much their persona online, as sometimes that stuff can just be the internet "can't-read-their-tone" effect. But, I have stopped reading people because their books become shotty the longer they write.
I think it's happened to a bunch of authors, not just the one you reference (though I don't downplay the heinous nature of her offense.)
But I sometimes think it could be other things besides just not caring anymore.
I think sometimes they feel pigeonholed, like they can't try new things. Whether it's publishing/editor pressure or just internal, what if people don't like it pressure, I think that they get paralyzed.
Other times I think they just run out of new things to say. Sometimes it seems an author gets stuck on one theme, one thing they can't say enough.
And other times I think they go in the wrong direction with their stuff. One of my favorite paras, I've sorta been harping on her the past month, I think is going to go in the wrong direction with her next stuff, away from the romance and more towards the urban fantasy stuff.
I haven't stopped reading an author due to a rabid personality - luckily, I haven't encountered that yet! - but I have picked up a author's books because they're so nice/sweet/cool/etc online or in person. Sometimes I've really liked them and found a new author to love (i.e. Anna Campbell) and sometimes they've just been okay, but I noticed I read much less critically if I know I like the author as a person.
I have the same problem as Maggie though - the more I write, the more critical I become reading, and the less I enjoy a book. Unless, of course, it's a really stellar one, and thank god there are enough of those to keep me busy.
I love every word of this blog, and I love you for writing it. Nuff said.
Q, I was all fired up still until I got to your PS and you quoted in French and now I'm all starry eyed.
I have met the author in question and yes, it is a woman author. I've met this author twice and each time her attitude is worse than the previous time. It's not like she's new to fame and fortune or anything. It's nice that she just doesn't care; but to not care about your readers to say random crap about them or not even appreciate the fact that they keep you in business? That's just plain stupid.
And you're right. It would have to be a woman because most men don't dare to tread onto my bad side. Except for Mattycakes and it's like a game to him.
I'm loving this blog. Does it feel at all better to get this out. You can't keep this stuff bottled up. It's not good for you. I'm a strong proponent of venting. Goodness knows I do it often enough.
I have met a few, very few actually, authors who haven't had the best personality online. As Marn says, sometimes that's more the drawback of everything being the typed instead of spoken word. But I can't think of an author I've met in person who wasn't incredibly sweet. In fact, that's part of the reason my TBR shelves (yes, as in more than one!) are so packed. I've met great authors online and wanted to buy their books, just never have the time to read them. *sigh*
This reminds me of a blog that was brought to my attention last week. It was by an author I'd never heard of or read and after checking out her blog, I never will. This woman was so negative and snarky, and downright rude, I would never pick up one of her books now. The irony was that as far as I could tell, most of her blogs had no comments at all. So I guess she just likes to hear herself blog.
Tiff, you know the thought didn't even cross my mind that this blog might offend someone. Not that it offended you. You of all people I knew would love this blog. LOL
I love Toni Blake as well. I've not spoke with her to the extent that you have; but she's always been just so super sweet and kind. And I must mention Pamela Clare is the same way. The woman is priceless. I love her to pieces. I'm afraid if I ever meet her in person I will kiss the ground she walks on.
Sometimes we have to eat crow. It's okay. We all do it. I open my mouth to insert my foot all the time. I'm lucky I don't get hoof and mouth disease.
Maggie, I'm with you. The more I write my own stuff and realize what goes into the whole process, the more exclusive I get with my own reading. I've cut out a lot of authors I used to love because once I realized what I was looking for, they no longer provided it to me.
And it's good to piss people off. Gets the blood flowing and all that jazz. LOL
I think if Hal stopped to think about it for a second she'd really know who I was talking about, Lis.
PS. I wrote this blog for you babe.
Marn, *LOL* you're not downplaying my rant. I agree. There are a lot of reasons for an author's writing to go downhill. Publishers (At least I think it's them, but what do I know, I'm a lowly peon) start looking for a certain thing from them and it doesn't allow them to grow and be creative with their writing process. That isn't this author's problem. She couldn't write in the first place and then happened to just hit the jackpot with this series. It's her characters that keep her in business and not necessarily her writing.
That's what I love about the Internet, Hal. The chance to meet really great authors and interact with them to the point that you run out and get their book regardless if it's a genre you would normally pick up. It also helps broaden your reading horizons and all that.
Ter- In my venting, I'm also very sympathetic. I wonder why the blogger was so snarky? It makes me sorta upset for the blogger that they've not had any comments. But I've not read the snarkiness either. I might get all fired up again if I do. LOL
I don't vent often. It was just after an interview I heard of this author and a culmination of interviews where this author has said the same thing repeatedly that I found it intolerable. Yeah, she may be a bestseller, but you got there because of your "crazy" fans. *eye roll* Obviously this is a case of you've forgotten where you used to be and where you came from.
I've certainly stopped buying a particular author's books when several in a row failed to work for me. I believe in the author's autonomy to write the book she/he needs or wants to. I believe Elizabeth George had the right to kill off that character. I believe in the reader's autonomy to buy what she/he wants as well. I don't buy EG any longer.
The only time I remember being angry with a writer involved a mystery writer,whose series I had loved, ending a series with a book that I saw as a nose thumb toward her readers who had begged for an end to the story. I think a writer owes the reader respect and the best book she/he can produce.
I don't buy authors who dis romance either. I am especially offended when a writer who started as a romance writer makes derogatory remarks about the genre. On the other hand, although I don't read thrillers, I recommend Tess Gerritsen's books regularly to family and friends who do read thrillers because I appreciate her attitude toward romance.
My experience with romance writers online has been 99% positive. Most of them are kind, gracious, intelligent, funny women. I can think of only one whose rudeness and arrogance made me pledge never to buy her books. There are also a couple of curmudgeons around, but I'm so hooked on their books that I forgive them. :)
Sounds like it would be the same as a singer saying people who bought their music had no taste. Or a movie star saying anyone who saw their movies weren't very intelligent. Why would you insult your audience like that?
Makes you wonder.
I'm an empathetic soul in most cases, but the stuff this woman was writing I could in no way empathize with. Very self-righteous, woe-is-me, I'm better than all of you stuff. I would email you the link so you could see for yourself, but I don't want to set off that twitch again. LOL!
Oh, I forgot the blogger, Terri. I did buy her books. I even recommended her to others because I thought she was an under appreciated talent. The blogs crossed her off my list too. That level of bitterness is poisonous.
See! Thanks for the backup, Janga. Bitterness is the perfect word for that mess. And I really had never heard of her before the blog came up.
Wow. Even Janga wrote her off and Janga is like the most empathetic person I know. At least I like to think of her that way. She's the one who keeps me from spouting off nasty words all the time and reminds me to mind my manners and what not.
*blinking* Okay, I have to see this blog. Are her books good?
Janga, I don't like author's who dis another genre. I just think it's rude and disrespectful to the written word. Everyone has to work hard at what they write, regardless the genre, and writing romance is difficult. It's just not all fluff. I don't get people who think that. Obviously they buy into the bad reputation. Romance is one of the best things about life.
BTW - I forgot to mention that I love the fact this blogs ends with "word."
LOL!
LMAO. It's because of the Lil Jon song. It doesn't end with *word* but I couldn't let the blog end all proper like without something to tie it all together with a big F you bow. LOL
I know exactly who you're talking about, and I agree with every word. I had the same reaction when I met her, and I'll never buy another of her books. (I might fight to get myself close to the top of the library check-out list, cause I'm curious, but I'm not giving her another dime of my $$)
Actually, we were talking at school last week about authors who don't bother to grow and change their characters, and how they fall of the bestseller list when that happens, and this particular author was one such example, and an author whose fans are so unhappy she won't stay up there much longer. It wasn't even me who said it (I promise)!
I'm glad we're not the only ones that recognize it. That's all I have to say about that. She's greedy. That's what her first and foremost problem is and she's not shy about saying it either.
It's not just us.
*hal puts up dukes and shuffles foot to foot* The bitch is going down! *she takes a wild swing and lands face down on the deck*
Okay, so she's going down when I've had less rum. *holds up rum cup* While I'm down here...
LMAO. I totally just had a cartoon moment and you were more of Olive than Popeye. LOL
Someone email me and tell me who the heck you are talking about! I must know!
Done, Tiff. Look in your inbox.
All I have to say is: Thank God for fanfic.
Amen to that Geisha
Do think this is one of the pitfalls due to the internet community? I mean, back in the 80s, I never would have known if any of my favorite authors were not so nice. (No one needs to point out that they were BORN in the 80s, thank you.)
Of course, in this case, the shotty work is also a problem which has nothing to do with the internet.
Ter- I suppose it was easier to be a writer in those respects and probably harder to get your name out there and self-promote yourself. It's a double-edged sword.
Nic!! Nic! I was just thinking about you last night. How you doin' girlfriend? How's the writing going?
Sin!! Sin!! *bear hug*
I'm doing good. The writing is going...slowly...but constant. Took a break from it to come and read this blog. It's so comfy on this ship :)
*huggles* Omgosh. It's been a while since I've seen you around. I figured you were hunkered down for the winter writing your little fingers to the bone. I'm glad the writing is going good for you. Still working on Marissa's stories?
I wish I was hunkered down writing stories, but I got promoted to an adjunct professor and so my writing time has been all but consumed by knuckleheads teenagers whose spelling makes me want to beat them over the head with my dictionary.
Yes, still working on Marissa stories. That girl is hard to keep up with. I had to introduce a new character to keep her on her toes because she almost broke Tyler. But I don't mind, cause Marissa is always fun :D
See? This is what "that author" needs. Passion for her characters. Passion to the point where she gets the big picture on how her characters' lives work, and not just random things she thinks would fill up 300 pages.
Amen to this blog. Don't apologize.
I can see both sides of the case. I think as an author you shouldn't "sell out" your integrity to make your readers happy, necessarily, IF (and only IF) you actually have a plan about your story's over-arcing development. People who I don't think sold out and did the story series they wanted despite rabid readers: JK Rowling, LK Hamilton, Colleen Gleason...
I'm only naming them because I think it's great they stuck with their ideals.
But as a reader, I do feel very insulted by some authors who do give the impression they don't care. Or do suggest we're mental for thinking something is true, when the author has purposely been leading us a merry chase to think that. Don't insult my intelligence when you've laid actual groundwork to make us think that and have given us no fundamental reason or shadowing to think otherwise. It's why I got sick of watching LOST. There was no rhyme, no reason, and after 3 seasons, I ceased to give a crap.
Yup, don't apologize. Rant all you want. I did this a couple of years ago when a very well-known author killed off the heroine and then brought her back as a ghost. (I know you all know who I'm talking about). LOL. But, I thought it was the stupidest idea ever; I was pissed and betrayed. This was a heroine who actually had backbone and what happens to her---she's killed off?! I'm still mad about that; I think there are slight misogynistic tones to her writing and that all the heroes in her book should just come out of the closet already and have one big orgy-fest. C'mon, you know you've thought it. *g*
And amen to J.K. Rowling. She's one author who stuck to her books and ideals and actually made her characters grow and learn. And she probably angered a lot of people on who she killed off, but it made sense and plus, she's just awesome.
I have an idea who you're talking about, Sin. I've never read this series and won't, simply because she refuses to let the heroine grow up.
And I want to know who Terr and Janga are talking about!
Ely, I think I have an idea of who you're talking about. Although, I can think of a few books I've read where the heroine is killed off; but this one in particular was just ridiculous. Not to mention the hero was my favorite until that book.
That was a wall thrower.
Hells, I can name Kim Harrison for doing the same thing. One of her MAIN character is murdered in book 5 and there was a complete uproar but KH sticks to her guns when she's asked about it and even though the character was one of her favorites as well, she couldn't continue the story the way she wanted to if this character was still there. The character couldn't just ride off into the sunset; something had to happen to change the dynamic of the story. And it was SO good. So huge kudos to Kim Harrison.
Nic!! Congrats on the promotion!! You totally deserved it- although since it takes you away from the writing it's sorta a bummer.
I'm going to buy you a wooden ruler to smack the teenagers on the head with when they get unruly. LOL
Grrr! I get not naming names...but I want to know, too!
I'm relatively new to the romance genre, but I know when I was going to scifi/fantasy conventions I was turned off a number of times at authors. Men, (mostly men), who I thought must be brilliant ended up being socially inept a**holes. Several very, very famous names. But I found it impossible to read their stuff with the haunting image of them being idiots keeps floating to the surface.
All but Charles de Lint, he was wonderful...sigh.
And I remember the author ???(blast my memory!) Atwood incensed that one of her novels was called scifi. Doesn't pay to insult the genre you just happened to write, baby. No, she wrote literature... gag.
So far, knock on wood, I haven't hit the reality of romance author twittiness, but I'm sure I will. And Sin, you have every right to kiss off an author that insults you and other readers. Period. The best thing you can do is stop giving them your money, period.
Raising me glass to Sin. Rant away, baby! Yer jus' speakin' ta the converted!
I have abolutely no idea who you're talking about but I do believe that an author's persona would sway me one way or the other when deciding whether to purchase his/her books.
Like many of you, I've purchased books based solely on the author's personality - Toni Blake, Anna Campbell - just to name two off the bat. I can't really think of an author that has been unpleasant online or off.
I'm no marketing expert here, but I would just think it makes sense not to knock romance (or romance readers) if that is what you write and sell. But, hey, that's just me!
Thanks babe :)
I hear you on the bummer part.
*Lowers voice to whisper* But I sneak in some writing in between classes sometimes.
The story must go on.
I've gotten three "who are you talking about?!" emails today. LOL! I love when we stir things up.
I still don't know who it was. I demand an email *glare*
Chanceroo! I love your fire babe!
Nic, I wish I could sneak in some writing. You lucky little babe.
Irish! Darling! It's so nice to see you! Maybe once you get to a point of publishing you're just so arrogant that it doesn't matter anymore.
*shrug* Gosh, I hope not. This is the first time that an author whose characters I loved has ever acted like this. I tend to think she must be crazy herself.
Email coming your way.
Sin, I have to know. E-mail me who it is that has you so full of piss and vinegar! I have my suspicions, and need to know if my brilliant guess is right!
Brilliant guess? OK. I'll go with that... :)
Aha! I was right... Gotta enter that into my diary... "Had a brilliant guess today and it was right. Red letter day, gold stars..."
Knew there was a reason I haven't read the latest, even though they are on my shelf...
You didn’t offend me, SIN. Not in the least. In fact I think that you were fairly fair in how you presented the situation. Professional Writers write material for the reading public.
There are no HEA guarantees in The Real World. You don’t have to agree with your readers views. You don’t even have to like them. But you better damn well Respect them. Because bottom line … YOUR Financial Bottom Line … is 100% dependant upon Readers Buying Your Books.
Whether you want to Believe it or not just about Everyone is replaceable.
Even YOU. The only person that is not replaceable in the publishing world is Me. Me, The Reader, and my money.
Yah, reality sucks. But there it is. You have to act nice … even if its just acting … cuz the world is Full of talented people waiting to take your place. All they need is an opportunity. Ohhhhh …. Like you pissing off your fan base … which Will lead to a decrease in your sales. Try explaining that to your publisher.
Remember. Publishing is a business. So act professionally.
Chanceroo, I don't read SWSNBN that Ter and Janga were speaking about but the other, I faithfully shelled out $27 for a hardback cover on release day. Never again. I won't even wait a year and buy the paperback. Not worth it. Ever.
Jules, thank god I didn't offend you because you're one reader I'd want on my side.
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