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The Gabbers  JMC"JMC is fascinated by the politics of romance reading and writing, and by the genre’s position in the publishing and media worlds." read more...
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Five Things I’ll never Say – confessions of an avid reader
« October’s Gab Giveaway | Home | Second Chances »  1. I wish Author A would write faster. I’m always slightly bugged when I read this on a message board or other places. While there are authors I love who don’t put out books that quickly, I never want them to ‘write faster’. Each author writes at their own pace. Some I adore, like Nora Roberts, are very prolific and have no problem putting out five or six books a year as either Nora or JD Robb, her alter ego. This is the pace she is comfortable writing at. Other authors I love are much slower; authors such as Jo Goodman or Rachel Gibson. They usually only publish one book a year. That’s the pace they are comfortable writing at and I am fine with that. I would rather have one book a year with quality writing then two or three more with sub par writing, who bow to readers demands. So when I see readers complain I always want to chime in and say ‘be happy with what you get – at least they are authors you love!’ 2. Author B deserves to win This often comes up around RITA time or at other places that have some kind of voting. In my opinion, the word ‘deserves’ has been hijacked and it used way to often. Too often it seems as if the commenter is saying ‘this is who I like the best, ergo, they should win, as if the commenter has some kind of more qualified judging skills. The only reason anyone ‘deserves’ something is if they have done something outstanding such as saving lives at the risk of their own lives, firefighters or cops or soldiers for example, or an ordinary person who does something truly spectacular. I love So You Think You Can Dance and read their message boards and the question was posed – who do you think deserves to win and this was my response: 3. I will never read ‘that’ kind of book I often see poster say they would never read a book with ‘this’ situation or ‘that’ kind of character or a book written in genre Z. Some almost seem to have a smug, superior attitude going. There are certain story lines that are hot button with me; mothers who deny decent men the chance to be fathers is one of them. Stupid heroines is another. There are certain genres that don’t appeal to me in general, but I’ve read enough exceptions to my own bugaboos and have enjoyed them, that rather then eating crow, I’d rather not say I’d never read……… 4. Author C writes crap (or some other definition). I realize that almost every author has their detractors. But they also have readers who enjoy their work. I may not enjoy author C’s writings, but just because I don’t, doesn’t make it bad. Even if I and many others don’t like their writing, chances are there are some people who enjoy it. Even Laurel K Hamilton and Cassie Edwards have readers who read them. 5. Oh, I don’t visit message boards anymore because of such and such a reason or I don’t visit blogs because of such and such a reason. I’m an equal opportunity community member. I enjoy different aspects of all the different ways of communicating with other members. Of course my favourite is meeting with fellow romance fans in person, but with us scattered all over the world, this will never happen. The romance community is a fascinating mix of readers and I don’t want to cut myself off from any type of group now. This entry was posted by Kristie(J) on Thursday, October 8th, 2009 at 7:00 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. 14 Responses to “Five Things I’ll never Say – confessions of an avid reader”Leave a Comment |
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October 8th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I love this post. I often wish *I* could write faster, ha, but when I’m reading a book, I’d rather have the author take however much time they need to get it right.
And there are plenty of authors who don’t work for me AT ALL, but they are working for other readers — so I’m definitely not going to begrudge them that book, or ask why it’s being published. And the blog/message board debate just makes me sigh.
What it comes down to: there’s something for everyone, and everyone has different tastes. I’m quite happy with that idea.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Way to make me feel lower than a subterranean slug, Kristie! ;-p
I have uttered every single one of those things at one time or another. Although, in my defense, I say #1 in jest. Let’s face it, if *my* authors wrote faster, I’d just read them faster and then I’d complain because they didn’t have the next one done fast enough, greedy Reader that I am. ;-D
As to #3, I feel no guilt at all. Regarding YA, I will never read THAT kind of book! Maybe when I’m old(er) and grey(er) I’ll cave and read one, but with a house full of teens, I can honestly say that I have no intention of EVER reading about MORE of them in a YA. *shudders*
October 8th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Uh oh, I’m with BevQB on this one. But in my defense I have really changed my ways since finding the book blogger community.
I have no serious reader friends so over time I became more and more selfish and stuck in my ways. Reading is an individual hobby, you read alone! And I had no one to share it with so this is specifically regarding #3. Wow I thought I would never read paranormal, sci-fi, graphic novels, even erotica and I am totally whistling a different tune now.
So thanks for posts like these that help us to be a better part of the bookish community!
October 8th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
1. GUILTY, but in my defense a. I’m not serious and b. there are authors that write too slow–I want more than one book a year from them. And yes, I do understand the “you get what you get when you get it and like it” thing. It doesn’t mean I actually have to like it
2. Unfortunately, I don’t care enough about awards to know who is up for what and when–maybe that is bad of me??
3. Even if I think it, I keep the “… writes crap” to myself. Every author has their fangirls
4. I learned this one a while ago. For every theme you “hate” there will always be one book/author that proves you wrong
5. Whatever floats your boat. When I have time I lurk on message boards, I do. And I haven’t even thought about twittering yet. I’ve been trying to blog hop on a regular basis.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
1. This is a romance-thing and it’s always baffled me. I was strictly a mystery reader for a long time and “one book a year” is still what I consider “normal.”
2. OK, I do bitch about this – but I don’t think I use the word “deserve.” Also, now that I know how the RITA works, I tend to bitch less.
3. I didn’t use to be like this. I’d try just about any theme at least once. But the longer I read within the genre, the more stuck in my ways I get. I couldn’t get past my extreme, rabid prejudice of love triangles to read Jennifer Haymore’s debut novel, and yes – God is likely to smite me for it. And if Jennifer reads this comment – it’s not you, it’s me. I’m an ass.
4. OK, I do say this – and maybe I shouldn’t. But I do. In my defense? My dislike of “crap” doesn’t stop me from buying a ton of it for work
Just cuz I might think it’s crap doesn’t mean there are countless other readers out there who love it.
5. I’ve never been big on message boards, but that’s merely my personal preference. I’ve never said “all message boards suck” or that “nobody should visit them.” I used to love browsing them, but that’s mostly fallen by the wayside. But man, I’ve gotten a lot of questions answered in the past thanks to AAR’s old Reader To Reader message board and the boards over at RT….
October 8th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
This is a romance-thing and it’s always baffled me. I was strictly a mystery reader for a long time and “one book a year” is still what I consider “normal.”
I think Nora Roberts has ruined romance readers with her speed.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Tara: I also think it’s a lack of understanding about the business of publishing. There’s the perception that once you’re published, you’re on easy street – which is a big pile of hooey. How many authors have day jobs on top of their writing gig? Quite a few! Also, authors are people to – so they have things like kids, husbands, family emergencies, illness etc. to deal with just like “normal” people.
Then there are those authors who do get published, and then, for whatever reason, can’t sell another book. Or their publisher drops them. Or whatever. It’s really a mine field. Your average reader on the street? Yeah, just doesn’t know about any of this “stuff.” All they know is that Author X hasn’t had a new book out in 9 months and dagnabit, what the heck is taking them so long?
October 8th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Now this was a post that needed to be out there. Whether or not people agree it’s food for thought about how demanding, and dare I say whiny, we all sound from time to time.
As for authors writing faster, it would be awesome to be given the “next” book as soon as we finish the current divine work. While I pine and wish for books just because I can’t wait to see what happens next I can’t imagine ever bugging an author to write faster.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:44 am
I know I’ve said 1 before and probably meant it but in my heart I know better.
2. Hmmm, deserves…. how about earned it? I think I might squawk about the Oscars but other than that, not much really.
3. Used to say it until I was ‘taught’. Now I know better and try to be open minded. Still, you give me a book with twins and I’ll probably just throw it in the TBR stack and let it get lost.
4. I think I can safely say Twitter isn’t for me. Too much happening for my brain to keep up. I’m at least open to trying things but once I give it a fair shot, once I’m over it I’m over it. Once again, it’s not like I have buried it in cement and walked away. I can always go back
CindyS
4. I’m sure I’ve said it and probably used the word in a blog post. Hopefully I’m clear it was crap for me but you might just love it.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I completely agree with number 4. One of the things I would never say is “That was a terrible book” or “That book was total crap!” I may not like a book, but someone worked hard on it and it would be heartless to say something so cruel. I hate it when people are mean or snarky. That is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I would be flattered if someone said I should write faster. That’s more like a compliment than a complaint. On all other points, I agree! Especially the “I’ll never read…” one. Jessica of RRR just did a review of a book that sounds, well, loathesome, but I hesitate to say “I know I’ll hate that book!” Because, what if I tried it and liked it? There are certain themes and situations that I have negative reactions to, but I try not to judge a book without reading it.
Great post, Kristie.
October 10th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
For sure I’ve been guilty of #1 but it’s mostly when there is a trilogy & too long between the books.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
[...] has a post up at Access Romance Readers’ Gab called “Five Things I’ll Never Say: Confessions of an Avid Reader” which makes me feel, as BevQB beautifully put it, “lower than a subterranean [...]
October 31st, 2009 at 11:44 pm
[...] has a post up at Access Romance Readers’ Gab called “Five Things I’ll Never Say: Confessions of an Avid Reader” which makes me feel, as BevQB beautifully put it, “lower than a subterranean [...]