Over the last few days the vicious and snarky comments I've read on social media have me scrubbing my eyes. So many people are all aTwitter about E.L. James's new Fifty Shades of Gray book as told by Christian. One thread ranted that James stole the "as told by" idea from Stephenie Meyers, as if storytelling from a love interest's POV was a historical first. One star reviews are popping up everywhere and the book isn't even set to release until mid-June.
I know that many people didn't love the books. I have heard my fair share of people put it down, just like they did Twilight. But the facts are that those series were phenomenally successful, and nearly every reader I know read them (and bought them ($$)). Apparently readers the world over did because it's sold a whopping 90 million copies.
I mean, my books come out in October, and I'll be lucky to sell 90. Nine-Zero.
I wish our first instinct wasn't to put other people's work down. I wish the author community, as a whole, was more supportive of each other, regardless of our opinions of the others' work. I wish I never heard the phrases, "But, ugh, the writing is awful," or "I just couldn't do it--those adverbs," or "No plot. Take away the sex, whaddyahave?"
Sure, every person--even authors--are entitled to our own opinions, but wouldn't it be great if we weighed the blood, sweat, and tears that go into every author's work against any jealousy we might feel that their imperfect book was a literary phenom while our brilliant baby sits unloved in a corner? Can't we all just get along???
I have to say that I belong to wonderfully supportive, positive, and generous chapter of RWA, the Diamond State Romance Authors. We encourage and support each other, and they provide top-notch advice. They've been there. They know how a new author struggles--how all authors struggle. It's a lot easier when we stick together.
I know that many people didn't love the books. I have heard my fair share of people put it down, just like they did Twilight. But the facts are that those series were phenomenally successful, and nearly every reader I know read them (and bought them ($$)). Apparently readers the world over did because it's sold a whopping 90 million copies.
I mean, my books come out in October, and I'll be lucky to sell 90. Nine-Zero.
I wish our first instinct wasn't to put other people's work down. I wish the author community, as a whole, was more supportive of each other, regardless of our opinions of the others' work. I wish I never heard the phrases, "But, ugh, the writing is awful," or "I just couldn't do it--those adverbs," or "No plot. Take away the sex, whaddyahave?"
Sure, every person--even authors--are entitled to our own opinions, but wouldn't it be great if we weighed the blood, sweat, and tears that go into every author's work against any jealousy we might feel that their imperfect book was a literary phenom while our brilliant baby sits unloved in a corner? Can't we all just get along???
I have to say that I belong to wonderfully supportive, positive, and generous chapter of RWA, the Diamond State Romance Authors. We encourage and support each other, and they provide top-notch advice. They've been there. They know how a new author struggles--how all authors struggle. It's a lot easier when we stick together.
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