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Pop Tart
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 122
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 Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I'm speaking in terms of writing a post to the author in hopes they see it and perhaps can pick up on a readers suggestions without said author asking or even wanting it. Or even reaching out to author on your own when again the author didn't seek out your "approval" of her works |
I'm with Ladynaava in that I don't think any of what you're mentioning is wrong on the part of a reader. I don't think I've ever said that an author should or should not have written a book in some way. I have said, 'this book would have worked better for me if...' and I have said things like 'I don't like this book because...'. If an author saw what I posted and thought, 'wow a lot of readers have said that same thing, maybe I should think about it', great. If they see what I posted and say to themselves 'that Pop Tart is a loon, my books are perfect as is' then that's just fine as well.
When I write a post here, a review for Goodreads, or a review in my professional capacity (I'm a librarian) I'm writing with other readers in mind, not the author. I don't write a negative (or positive) post with the idea that the author will listen to me, only me. I write in hopes of having a discussion about books. In this case romance books. |
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Eliza
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
Posts: 713
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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Some musical lyrics written by George Harrison came to mind that are possibly relevant to this thread. Literally speaking, the song was supposedly about Paul breaking up the Beatles as a band, but like all the better songs, novels, etc., it has more to say than just that of a single event or what may "seem" obvious. Here are just the opening and closing lines to "Run of the Mill":
Everyone has choice
When to and not to raise their voices
It's you that decides. . .
. . .Only you'll arrive
At your own made end
With no one but yourself to be offended
It's you that decides
(I obviously liked George the best!  )
A quick thanks to everyone for such a lively discussion. Some family business has just come up and since I don't know how much I'll be online for a bit, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed it and hope to be back soon. Be well all. |
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Islandgirl2
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 273
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 12:25 am Post subject: |
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| Pop Tart wrote: | | Quote: | | I'm speaking in terms of writing a post to the author in hopes they see it and perhaps can pick up on a readers suggestions without said author asking or even wanting it. Or even reaching out to author on your own when again the author didn't seek out your "approval" of her works |
I'm with Ladynaava in that I don't think any of what you're mentioning is wrong on the part of a reader. I don't think I've ever said that an author should or should not have written a book in some way. I have said, 'this book would have worked better for me if...' and I have said things like 'I don't like this book because...'. If an author saw what I posted and thought, 'wow a lot of readers have said that same thing, maybe I should think about it', great. If they see what I posted and say to themselves 'that Pop Tart is a loon, my books are perfect as is' then that's just fine as well.
When I write a post here, a review for Goodreads, or a review in my professional capacity (I'm a librarian) I'm writing with other readers in mind, not the author. I don't write a negative (or positive) post with the idea that the author will listen to me, only me. I write in hopes of having a discussion about books. In this case romance books. |
Once again if you do so in that way I see nothing wrong with that and stated such. I'm speaking in terms of people calling out authors perhaps writing them letters and going to their site seeking them out to let them know they didn't like their creation. As stated in many posts here I did state it was fine to vent as we all need to. Just not in an antagonistic way. You provided examples I believe that Eliza opened up with in the tone of discussions for what worked for your personal likes and what didn't. If the author is taking it upon herself to come onto a forum to see those posts and wants to take into consideration the readers thoughts great for the readers who were hoping the writer would take their opinion and use their advise for future works. (Though I just don't understand why you'd want the author to change and not just change the author to someone that fits again your likes better). It almost feels like some would try to teach them to write better. That I find a bit hard for any author to take in as it would feel a bit condescending to the writer as if their skill were lacking and they are back in school hearing how their work was still not up to par with the expectations of.... I wouldn't think they'd enjoy that aspect from those they hoped to entertain.
Also if someone is using a site to sway their agendas on authors then I just think it becomes something the authors will be told eventually to filter out and not pay attention from friends/family/agents etc. who probably will defend them don't want their feelings hurt and the advise just won't be taken seriously. I again just feel like many will start taking the attitude of t.v. producers in stating we can't follow what they say on the internet because we will never satisfy everyone. And they'll most likely just tell them about the praise. It really is frankly probably not the best outlet to get the specific books you want and again why not just write the agents and publishers...
I just feel like it's nice to express dislikes and such with fellow readers rather than a way to thumbs down on said writer.
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Romance my favorite reading pastime. |
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ladynaava
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 938
Location: California
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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From my perspective, authors get feedback and are told suggestions and what readers like all the time in the form of reviews. Reviews are for readers, but if a author reads them they will get indirect feedback and suggestions. ]
"Gee, I wish Nathaniel was in this book, I really miss him, he's my favorite character and Anita only had half her harem in this book.
or
"Gee, I was sorry spot the dog was killed! I hate books where animals die."
or
"I didn't think the love triangle was well written. Character x, didn't stand a chance, and too much time was spent dealing with the heroines personal issues.
All that are suggestions and opinions. Were they written for the author? Perhaps indirectly, but mostly for other fans. Sure, I'd love it, if an author inspired by a positive or negative review decides to give me more face time with my favorite character, or kill a plot device that I hate, but I doubt it is going to happen. |
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Islandgirl2
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 273
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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Why would you doubt it's going to happen? Many times an author states due to much fan mail to see more of so and so they decided to give them a story. Fan mail in I'm sure letters to authors all the time about how much they want to see character X and if it's a popular demand a lot of times it happens.
I'm sure the author is likely to hear the positive over the negative as that's not really inspiring to them. But to each their own I don't see how posts writing negatives on an author helps change anything but I guess others do.
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Romance my favorite reading pastime. |
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ladynaava
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 938
Location: California
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Islandgirl2 wrote: | Why would you doubt it's going to happen? Many times an author states due to much fan mail to see more of so and so they decided to give them a story. Fan mail in I'm sure letters to authors all the time about how much they want to see character X and if it's a popular demand a lot of times it happens.
I'm sure the author is likely to hear the positive over the negative as that's not really inspiring to them. But to each their own I don't see how posts writing negatives on an author helps change anything but I guess others do. |
That's a good point and I agree.
In general, the reason I feel this way, is my feedback to authors comes in the form of review and if they happen to read my posts on a fan site. I haven't written a fan letter in many years, so unless authors are reading my reviews or specific comments about their book, they aren't getting my suggestions or requests such as they are. =-) |
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Tee
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 4046
Location: Detroit Metro
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:37 am Post subject: |
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I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't resist when I saw the cartoon this morning. There are no hidden messages. It's all in fun, ladies and gentlemen--all in fun. 
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xina
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 6627
Location: minneapolis
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:20 am Post subject: |
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LOL! Love it Tee!
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"As you wish"
~The Princess Bride |
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Islandgirl2
Joined: 14 Nov 2010
Posts: 273
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:37 am Post subject: |
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[quote="Tee"]I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't resist when I saw the cartoon this morning. There are no hidden messages. It's all in fun, ladies and gentlemen--all in fun.
LOL well I can tell you I paid more attention to the cartoon with the sign then the arms in air raving ones. 
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Linda in sw va
Joined: 27 Mar 2007
Posts: 4707
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Tee wrote: | I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't resist when I saw the cartoon this morning. There are no hidden messages. It's all in fun, ladies and gentlemen--all in fun.
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I think it's cute Tee, and if we're going to go I say go out smiling!
Linda
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"The Bookshop has a thousand books, all colors, hues and tinges, and every cover is a door that turns on magic hinges." ~ Nancy Byrd Turner |
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ladynaava
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 938
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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| xina wrote: | | LOL! Love it Tee! |
Tee, that is awesome. Thanks for posting this |
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Tee
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 4046
Location: Detroit Metro
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| And, you know, if we can't laugh at ourselves, then who can we laugh at? I hope this site and the people who visit and post on it never totally lose their sense of humor. Reading for the majority of us is probably a combination of serious stuff and enjoyable escapes. So far, we can discuss all aspects regarding these here. |
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desiderata
Joined: 23 Oct 2007
Posts: 226
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| Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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| You're right, Tee, and cute cartoon. |
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