 | 17 Jul 06 |
I LOVE the Internet. I want to be clear about that. I spend a great deal of time on the Internet. I can’t even remember how I functioned before the Internet.
The Internet brings the personal lives of stars right into our homes via the Internet. There are websites and blogs and podcasts (let’s not forget pictures of Matthew McConahey!) that tell us everything we ever wanted to know about the stars, and the authors, we love.
For some authors, it’s really built their readership. That’s a good thing. Jill Shalvis for instance, she has a very natural blogging voice, her blog is hilarious. She writes fun and sexy romances, and her blog fits her author persona perfectly. She’s built a personal relationship with her readers. I bought one of her books because her blog cracked me up. I enjoyed her book too!
But for some readers, it’s just too much information. They find out that the author they love to read isn’t perfect. They catch her on a bad day where she says something in her blog she later regrets. The Internet is unforgiving that way. Sure, the author can take down the post, but the Internet has it store anyway, and six readers have probably copied and pasted and emailed the blog to several people (without any regard to copyright, I might add).
As a reader, I’ve had the experience myself. There’s an author I won’t buy because of something they did to another author in a blog. Something that I thought crossed the line. And no, I won’t tell who or what the author did. The point is that I learned more than I wanted to know about that author.
Other authors have said things I don’t agree with, but I don’t take offense because it’s just a discussion. That’s perfectly fine, and I enjoy that.
Some flame wars are just silly. One broke out a while ago because a New York Times Best Seller said she doesn’t pay any attention to Amazon reviews on a blog. Several people decided that she didn’t care what her readers thought. That is NOT what she said. But these people were looking for a fight. And the Internet is a great place for combative people to go vent without actually having to face the person they are attacking.
At first, I followed the various brouhahas that broke out on the Internet. Then I realized I didn’t really need to know all this stuff about authors and colleagues (and the people attacking them), and that I was expending emotional energy that is better spent working on my books. So these days, I will surf the Internet casually, laugh at the brouhahas, take a peek at Matthew McConahey and get back to work.
What about you? Do you want to know everything about the authors you love?
Award winning author, Jennifer Lyon, always wanted to be a witch. Since her witch-powers never materialized, she went onto Plan B and now she creates magic in her books. In her new series, the author of the acclaimed Samantha Shaw Mystery Series (written as Jennifer Apodaca) introduces the Witch Hunters, legendary men who must overcome a curse to team up with witches and fight evil.
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Very interesting Karin. I have often wondered about this, and stalking. I daily, or even several times each day, visit the blogs of seven authors whose work I have truly enjoyed. I consider it a form of support, and always make a comment even if it is just a little “Hey, I’m here.” And a glimpse into their thoughts is a treat to myself. I have (at least in my own mind) struck up friendships with them that I believe will last. But I also worry that someday they will think I’m a stalker.
I watch, not only their daily blog, but the on going coversations resultant of their original post. Jake and Natalie both have blogs that are community content. Those who visit there daily did it first because of them, then continued because of the community. I respect their opinions, value their friendships, and take offense when others get pissy at them.
For someone to bash, flame, defame, or abuse someone because they have personal points of view, that is just bad form and I will revert to the – oh so true adage – PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES.
by Cele July 17th, 2006 at 7:57 amHeck no I don’t want to know everything about my fav authors. I’ve had to drop a few because of some really rude things they’ve said/and or behavior on loops or thier blogs. I’m all for everyone having an opionon, but when one goes out with the sole purpose to insult or flame, no thanks.
by Karin July 17th, 2006 at 8:25 amI’ve pulled back on my blog hopping because of this. I have neither the time nor the interest in watching people be rude to others.
Oops, Jen, I meant Jen. Sorry. errr, so embarassing. Karin, is right though I cut out some of the blogs I visit for the same reason.
by Cele July 17th, 2006 at 8:27 amI enjoy blog hopping. I love the agent blogs, they help you get a little insight to the person to write a better query letter to them. I don’t want to know EVERYTHING about an author, but things like why they wrote a particular book or what they are reading is interesting to know. Little personal things that aren’t too personal.
by Amanda July 17th, 2006 at 8:42 amCele, LOL! I don’t mind being Karin for a day! I have certain blogs I visit almost daily because I have an interest. And some are just fun. I so agree with your PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES…
Karin, rampant rudeness has chased me away from a lot of blog hopping too. A difference of opinion doesn’t bother me, it’s the nastiness I can do without.
Amanda, Agent blogs are great. I hang out at some of those and pick up tips all the time. I like the idea of a few personal tidbits without being too personal, but I just don’t know where that line is
by Jen July 17th, 2006 at 8:56 amI’ve written blogs that never got published, because I usually write them, then think about them. Am I crossing the line? Am I wearing my heart on my sleeve? I particularly worry about sharing too much about how I’m published. I don’t talk about my agent or editor, and only about the publisher in a general way, like “Published by NAL/Signet”.
Still, I bet I’ve upset some people. There are always people who are more likely to take offense, and sometimes, I’m just a little off-guard and say something that’s been on my mind–and I don’t bother to think how it will come out.
As they say in This is Spinal Tap, “It’s a fine line between stupid and clever”.
by J. Carson Black July 17th, 2006 at 9:01 amExcellent post, Jen. I surf a lot, but there’s probably only a dozen I read on a regular basis.
Opinions are one thing–like what we had on Friday about Fluffy. I think everyone handled that debate well. Flaming or personal attacks are another.
It’s okay to not like a book. It’s not okay to attack the author personally because of their book. And I think you’re right in that the Internet gives people a layer of protection so they think they can say anything.
by Allison July 17th, 2006 at 9:07 amJen and the rest, I think you do an excellent job of letting people know you on the blog without KNOWING you. Great job.
by Amanda July 17th, 2006 at 9:42 amJake, I write and delete blogs too. It’s a good way to make sure I’m really comfortable with the content. But for me, that line is slippery.
Allison, I’m with you on reviews–attack the book not the author. There’s a review up at Amazon on one of my books where the reviewer says something like, “I don’t get it, others like this book but I just don’t get it.” That’s fair, the reviewer isn’t attacking me, she or he just does not like the book. You can’t win them all
Amanda, Thank you! It really helps when you all tell us what is and isn’t working on the blog.
by Jen July 17th, 2006 at 9:58 amI’d say meeting and/or interacting with authors on the web has been a 99% positive experience, but that 1% . . .
There are several authors out there whose books I will never buy due to their behavior. Luckily that 1% has yet to include any of my MUST READS. But I think this goes for lots of other stuff to. There are actors I just can’t watch, artists whose shows/work I just can’t appreciate, and musicians I can’t listen to any more.
There’s one actress who is an Oscar winner now that I just can’t STAND due to the fact that she’s a friend of mine’s ex. And she keeps popping up in movies I would have seen with anyone else in the roll, but I simply can not put aside my loathing and pretend she’s a good person (even on film).
So, yeah. Sometimes I really really really do wish I knew less.
by Tonda/Kalen July 17th, 2006 at 11:55 amTonda, you make a good case for too much information. On the flip side, you’re right that it’s really a small percentage that create the negative experience on the Internet.
by Jen July 17th, 2006 at 1:21 pmI definitely blog hop, but only about a dozen or less blogs. It’s been my experience that reading author blogs is a positive thing. I think (for some people) it helps us to realize that authors are just regular people like everybody else.
by ktzmom July 17th, 2006 at 4:19 pmJen and Jake, I’m like you. I’m a blog and delete kind of girl. I do the same thing with email. I never automatically hit send because I’ve learned that I might regret it later. I used to be more rash, when I was younger, but I’d like to think I’ve learned a few things. And so I sometimes write things and then wait before I post them, or before I send emails.
And this had paid off for me in a big way, because I learned how to deal with a large amount of hate mail, simply by not REACTING, and waiting to respond. See, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Great post Jen.
by Natalie July 17th, 2006 at 5:46 pmIt’s interesting what Nat says, because she’s had to deal with a specific problem most of us don’t have. She started *out* with hate mail. We have to work our way up to it. I’m glad to hear that by not reacting, you’re able to deflect them, Nat!
by J. Carson Black July 17th, 2006 at 5:52 pmThanks, Jake. I think if they realized that I really do understand their anger, and that I really DO think it’s funny, and I don’t get mad, they might stop. But then again…..
by Natalie July 17th, 2006 at 5:59 pmKtzmom, realizing how human authors are is an definite upside of blogs.
Natalie, I know some of the hate mail you’ve had to deal with and you always do it with grace and class.
Jake, you’re so right about Natalie!
by Jen July 17th, 2006 at 6:40 pmThanks, Jen. I don’t feel like that, but I have learned, like I said, to just stop and THINK before I react. It’s served me well. Now if only I can learn to do that with my KIDS!
Personally, Jen is one of the nicest, kindest authors I’ve ever met. She sets a good example for me. We began corresponding back when I was just the “POD poster child,” basically self published and she was already published with Kensington, and she never once treated me as though I was any different.
Her example and encouragement is one that kept me going through more than a few dark moments.
by Natalie July 17th, 2006 at 7:10 pmJen is really wonderful, and I can’t wait to meet her in person! Next week! But I have to say, this is one of the most congenial sites around. Good people. All of you.
by J. Carson Black July 17th, 2006 at 8:34 pmMyself, I find that blogs can sometimes be benificial, such as some of the agent blogs out there that talk about the publishing industry, and all of that, but when it comes to author blogs, I think fun is always a good thing.
So far I haven’t stumbled upon any blog of an author that offends me. More often than not, I find blogs that aren’t regularly updated, and that bothers me more than any entry’s offense. I mean, it’s a free country, people can say what they want. And if I don’t like it? Then I’ll just not read the blog. No need for a bruhaha.
And as far as flame wars? Well, I have a rather ostrich-like approach — I avoid them, sticking my head fully in the sand, because frankly, I got better things to worry about than “who-said-what-to-who” stuff.
I’m a hairdresser by trade, and I get an unbelieveable amount of gossip every day at work. By the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is read more. So I read my favorite blogs, post occasionally, and then not worry. If someone posts something I don’t like, I don’t write a scathing retort — what’s the point? They won’t agree with my POV, so why waste my breath? I got other stuff to do.
So I guess I would say I don’t know too much — simply by choice.
by Candice Gilmer July 17th, 2006 at 9:40 pmI usually check blogs of cyber friends and critique partners–who are my favorite authors–and none of them are flamers. So I must choose good friends.
I do check out agent blogs, and they’re smart enough not to flame people.
I’ve rewritten a few of my blogs. Not that I named names, but I’ve mentioned writing that I didn’t care for and thought a friend might see herself in it–even if that wasn’t my intention. Making a point in a blog isn’t worth hurting a friend’s feelings.
by Edie Ramer July 18th, 2006 at 6:38 amNatalie, “POD poster child,” LOL! You are so funny. I did my time with a failed electronic publisher so I can’t throw stones! Thanks for the compliments.
Jake, we have a lot of fun here, thanks for noticing! I know that meeting you will be one of the highlights of conference.
Candince, I bet you are tired of gossip by the end of the day! I’ve been friends with my hair dresser for nearly two decades, and it’s just amazing what people tell her. She never repeats it, I just happen to be sitting nearby so I hear it all. On another subject, I’m soooo guilty of not updating my personal blog. I have to be more consistant.
Edie, I know exactly what you mean about friends seeing themselves in our words even when we didn’t mean it that way. Like you, I value my friends more than making a point in a blog!
by Jen July 18th, 2006 at 7:05 amCAndice I was a hairdresser for six years! They can definitely give women writers a run for their money in the “breed all their own” contest.
Jen…….there’s an author I won’t read for the very same reason. I also write blogs and don’t post them. I try realy hard to think about everything I post but sometimes I can’t help myself.
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