Ryan Field's Blog, page 521
November 11, 2011
A Blog You Might Find Interesting...Matthew Darringer Writes
I try to gear people toward information they might enjoy. Sometimes it's publishing oriented, other times it's not. And I don't focus only on m/m fiction. It's a big universe out there and there's a lot going on that interests me. I also believe objectivity is a lost art in this country...world...and I try to remain as objective as I can.
I came across this blog through a facebook friend. It's written by an author I know little about, Matthew Darringer. But it's smart, and I like smart blogs as much as I like smart people. I normally don't recommend blogs often. But this one is different. And the author of the blog seems to know exactly what he is doing.
In other words, there are no questions about what you're reading or getting into. He's presenting himself, without apologies. When I worked at bestgayblogs.com in the beginning, this was the kind of blog that always caught my eye.
I came across this blog through a facebook friend. It's written by an author I know little about, Matthew Darringer. But it's smart, and I like smart blogs as much as I like smart people. I normally don't recommend blogs often. But this one is different. And the author of the blog seems to know exactly what he is doing.
In other words, there are no questions about what you're reading or getting into. He's presenting himself, without apologies. When I worked at bestgayblogs.com in the beginning, this was the kind of blog that always caught my eye.
From Freedom To Marry: Veterans Day Post
Here's an e-mail, and links, that I receive regularly from the Freedom to Marry organization. If the links don't work, you can copy and paste them into your browser.
Ryan,
My name is Jeffrey Correa and I am Development Director for Freedom to Marry. I'm also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
It was nearly 20 years ago on an otherwise unremarkable November day that I began my life-changing six years of serving in the Air Force. Each Veterans Day, I remember the proudest moment of my life: the day I stood up in front of family and friends, raised my right hand, and took a vow to defend my country.
This Veterans Day, I am asking you to stand with me and other veterans and support Freedom to Marry's work to overturn the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, the last remaining direct discrimination by the government itself, now that we have ended "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Because of DOMA, servicemembers, veterans, and their families still experience discrimination -- the sting of inequality, the burden of actual denial of tangible protections - while serving our country. Will you make a donation today in their honor?
http://freedomtomarry.org/VeteransDay
I know firsthand how it feels to be treated differently in the military. Halfway through my enlistment, I came to terms with the fact that I am gay. Serving under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," I became immediately aware of the additional dangers I faced because of sexual orientation discrimination by the government -- losing a job I loved and the only life I knew.
After serving in silence for a number of years, I knew that I could not continue to work and prosper under such government discrimination. I had no choice but to leave the Air Force. Shortly after, I started on a new path, attending college on the GI Bill, starting my career in non-profit management, and, so luckily, falling in love.
In 2008, I found myself living what would be the next "proudest moment of my life." It also took place on an otherwise unremarkable November day when I again stood up before friends and family. But this time it was to vow to love and honor my husband for the rest of my life.
We were one of the lucky 18,000 couples that got married in California before the passage of Prop 8. Within days we went from the joy and elation of celebrating our wedding to watching as voters stripped away the freedom to marry in California.
In that moment my life changed forever and I became an activist, dedicating all my strengths toward one goal: equality. But whether or not I am successful in my new mission here at Freedom to Marry depends on you. We both know the truth: our triumphs can only be achieved if we secure the resources we need to make our case. Can you help make sure Freedom to Marry has the dollars we need from you to win this battle?
http://freedomtomarry.org/VeteransDay
As a community, we've made incredible strides over the past year as we challenge both military and marriage discrimination. Many thought we could never get Congress to act. Many uphill battles were waged in the courts. And when he signed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal bill into law, President Obama honored the sacrifices of so many who had served in silence all these years, as well as those of us who raised our voices and did the work that brought this discrimination down.
And yet families that are putting their lives on the line for our country still continue to be treated differently, which means we have much more work to do.
I hope you will join me by making a donation today.
http://freedomtomarry.org/VeteransDay
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Correa,
Development Director, Freedom to Marry
If You're a Writer, Read This With Caution...
If you are a writer and you're struggling to get published, read this post with caution.
I suppose there are two ways to look at it. In the blog post where I read it first the blooger seemed to think it was something writers should read for inspiration.
Frankly, I don't buy into that. I think it's just more babble to confuse writers. I prefer my inspiration to come from success, not from failure and rejection.
But that's just a matter of opinion. And there are obviously people who would disagree with me.
I suppose there are two ways to look at it. In the blog post where I read it first the blooger seemed to think it was something writers should read for inspiration.
Frankly, I don't buy into that. I think it's just more babble to confuse writers. I prefer my inspiration to come from success, not from failure and rejection.
But that's just a matter of opinion. And there are obviously people who would disagree with me.
New Adult Fiction: The Computer Tutor
I don't have a cover yet. If I did, I'd share it. But I posted the generic photo above because there is a basket full of Christmas puppies in this novella. I had to add the puppies to balance all the sex in the book. There's enough to make a certain book reviewer shudder and cross her legs again. You can read more about that below in the blurb.
But I did just get the edits for this new Christmas Novella, THE COMPUTER TUTOR.
I will continue to post about it as I go through the long editing process. Something of interest might be that I'm calling this New Adult Erotic Fiction. I'm growing fond of New Adult fiction across the board, and I'm going to be writing more of it myself in the future. I'll also be working well into the night many nights in the upcoming week on this novella so this story will be out by December.
I'd like to see THE COMPUTER TUTOR out by Thanksgiving weekend. But I can't promise that. There's a lot of time and effort that goes into putting out a novella like this and it also involves a great deal of collaboration.
And I love my editors at Loveyoudivine.com, Janet and Dalia, and I'd rather they take their time and do what they have to do to help me get this book out as a quality e-book.
Blurb:
For the first time in young Drew's life, he can't wait to go home for the holidays as an adult instead of a college kid. He's just started a new job, working as a veterinarian at a 24 hour emergency care clinic. But his boss at the animal clinic tells him he has to work Christmas Eve and a good part of Christmas Day because the other ER vet broke her leg. Then it starts to snow on Christmas Eve and Drew's assistant asks if she can go home to set up gifts for her children, leaving him all alone in the clinic with two older dogs who are recuperating from surgery. Drew is bored out of his mind, feeling sorry for himself because he's all alone on Christmas. But it all changes fast when a handsome young man with black hair storms into the clinic with a basket full of newborn puppies in his arms and he begs Drew to save the mother's life.
November 10, 2011
Konrath, Self-Publishing, and a Different POV from Tobias Buckell
I'm remaining objective here. I'm still curious about self-publishing and I want to learn more about it. And this isn't because of Konrath or any other self-pubbing success stories I've heard about.
My interest is strictly one of curiosity with regard to author control and empowerment. When it comes to publishers, I've had to concede more times than I've won on issues I've felt strongly about in the past twenty years. And although I was right every single time, I've had to smile and move on for the sake of keeping the peace. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it stings and you don't forget it.
This is an interesting blog post by Tobias Buckell. I don't agree with all of it, and sometimes it's all over the place with regard to the central theme of the piece. But it's an interesting take. You can check it out and see for yourselves. And if you're so inclinced, here's a link to Joe Konrath's blog.
Whether you are a published author, a new author, or an author thinking about self-publishing, I think you'll find Konrath's blog more than interesting.
My interest is strictly one of curiosity with regard to author control and empowerment. When it comes to publishers, I've had to concede more times than I've won on issues I've felt strongly about in the past twenty years. And although I was right every single time, I've had to smile and move on for the sake of keeping the peace. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it stings and you don't forget it.
This is an interesting blog post by Tobias Buckell. I don't agree with all of it, and sometimes it's all over the place with regard to the central theme of the piece. But it's an interesting take. You can check it out and see for yourselves. And if you're so inclinced, here's a link to Joe Konrath's blog.
Whether you are a published author, a new author, or an author thinking about self-publishing, I think you'll find Konrath's blog more than interesting.
How To Get People To Unfriend You On Facebook...
I've seen a lot of people in the LGBTQ community get blocked, reported, and basically, kicked off facebook for very ridiculous reasons. Some posted risque photos, some made risque comments, and some just posted about something that had gay content in a general sense that had nothing to do with sex.
In most cases, the photos and comments were all in fun. This isn't hearsay. I know this because I've seen the photos and read the updates myself. And, just for the record, I was once kicked off facebook myself and I was never given a valid reason. The kind people over at Facebook restored my account and apologized. But I can tell you for a fact that I've never even posted the slightest hint of anything risque or sexual...unless it's a book cover. And these books covers, in most cases, are about as risque as an underwear ad in GQ Magazine. I recently saw an ad in my latest Architectural Digest for a design firm, with two naked men and a naked woman playing cards in bed. My covers are tame compared to that.
But last night, after dinner, I signed into Facebook and the first status update I read went like this: "I have had my *blank* eaten *blank* so many times in the last ten years..." You can fill in the blanks yourself. You can finish the thought yourself, too, because I'm not going to quote something like this on my blog. But I can tell you it was the most out of context, offensive comment I've seen to date on facebook and I didn't appreciate it...especially not on a full stomach. Needless to say, I unfriended this person fast. I figured if he can write something like that in public, there's no telling where he's going to go next. And this wasn't the first time this person did this. It was the fourth or fifth and I'd had enough.
And I'm no prude. My books speak for themselves and I never make any apologies to anyone regarding the content of my fiction. But it's fiction, not real life. I write erotic romance novels and each one has a storyline that's strong enough to support the book without the sex scenes. In other words, if I was asked to remove all the sex scenes in every book or story I ever wrote and re-write them as pg-rated scenes, the storyline would still be able to support the book.
As an erotic romance author, I take this very seriously. And I take the way I conduct myself in public just as seriously. I don't make highly charged sexual comments on social media just for the sake of getting attention. I could. But I don't. I think that diminishes the genre and lowers the expectations of readers in the long run. And the erotic romance authors I know and like, including erotic romance editors, know how to conduct themselves professionally in public.
I'm not saying funny, sexy photos and comments in social media shouldn't be done. I laugh every time see one and wish I'd thought of it first. And if it's done in the right context, smutty, funny things are absolutely harmless. I have one good friend, my blogging buddy, Ryan, who has literally made an art out of posting hysterical photos and comments on social media. But he does it in good taste and he makes people laugh. And I've never been offended.
But I couldn't care less if a budding erotic author has had his *blank* eaten *blank* a million times. Just the thought of that makes me cringe, especially when I have to see his photo at the same time. Some authors might think this is a way to get attention. And they might be right in the beginning. But in the long run it just might be the best way to get people to unfriend you on facebook. And you certainly aren't going to score any big points within the publishing industry.
In most cases, the photos and comments were all in fun. This isn't hearsay. I know this because I've seen the photos and read the updates myself. And, just for the record, I was once kicked off facebook myself and I was never given a valid reason. The kind people over at Facebook restored my account and apologized. But I can tell you for a fact that I've never even posted the slightest hint of anything risque or sexual...unless it's a book cover. And these books covers, in most cases, are about as risque as an underwear ad in GQ Magazine. I recently saw an ad in my latest Architectural Digest for a design firm, with two naked men and a naked woman playing cards in bed. My covers are tame compared to that.
But last night, after dinner, I signed into Facebook and the first status update I read went like this: "I have had my *blank* eaten *blank* so many times in the last ten years..." You can fill in the blanks yourself. You can finish the thought yourself, too, because I'm not going to quote something like this on my blog. But I can tell you it was the most out of context, offensive comment I've seen to date on facebook and I didn't appreciate it...especially not on a full stomach. Needless to say, I unfriended this person fast. I figured if he can write something like that in public, there's no telling where he's going to go next. And this wasn't the first time this person did this. It was the fourth or fifth and I'd had enough.
And I'm no prude. My books speak for themselves and I never make any apologies to anyone regarding the content of my fiction. But it's fiction, not real life. I write erotic romance novels and each one has a storyline that's strong enough to support the book without the sex scenes. In other words, if I was asked to remove all the sex scenes in every book or story I ever wrote and re-write them as pg-rated scenes, the storyline would still be able to support the book.
As an erotic romance author, I take this very seriously. And I take the way I conduct myself in public just as seriously. I don't make highly charged sexual comments on social media just for the sake of getting attention. I could. But I don't. I think that diminishes the genre and lowers the expectations of readers in the long run. And the erotic romance authors I know and like, including erotic romance editors, know how to conduct themselves professionally in public.
I'm not saying funny, sexy photos and comments in social media shouldn't be done. I laugh every time see one and wish I'd thought of it first. And if it's done in the right context, smutty, funny things are absolutely harmless. I have one good friend, my blogging buddy, Ryan, who has literally made an art out of posting hysterical photos and comments on social media. But he does it in good taste and he makes people laugh. And I've never been offended.
But I couldn't care less if a budding erotic author has had his *blank* eaten *blank* a million times. Just the thought of that makes me cringe, especially when I have to see his photo at the same time. Some authors might think this is a way to get attention. And they might be right in the beginning. But in the long run it just might be the best way to get people to unfriend you on facebook. And you certainly aren't going to score any big points within the publishing industry.
November 9, 2011
I Guess Everyone Has An Expression or Word They Hate
For some reason, words and expressions have been following me around all day.
I read a rant on a comment thread earlier today where a person used a word a lot of people didn't like. I knew it was a joke. It reminded me of the time I read a phrase about two gay men "sharing coitus" in a m/m romance and I posted about it on facebook. One gay guy I know, who has the biting wit only a gay man can have, left the comment, "Isn't coitus something you fry up in a pan with brown sugar?" I couldn't stop laughing, both at my facebook friend's comment and that anyone would write about gay men sharing "coitus."
But I know a lot of people wouldn't laugh. And I often wonder when people lost their senses of humor. I didn't find the word I saw earlier today offensive and I'm a gay man. But the people who jumped all over this comment were braced for battle.
Sometimes I think we've become a little too PC. Other times I think people who frequent the Interwebs don't take their meds on schedule.
Then I signed on this evening and I saw that a well known reporter made a comment and everyone was jumping all over him. He only said two words, and he clearly didn't mean to offend anyone. But the media jumped on him, along with a few loud groups who I think sit and wait for people to slip up, and he issued an apology for something he never intended to hurt anyone with in the first place. And, I don't think the words were bad. In fact, I wouldn't have even "gotten" the implications if someone hadn't called attention to it.
After that, I started to think about my own pet peeves when it comes to words and phrases. I guess we all have them. With me, one phrase I despise is "Modern Woman." It sounds like the title of a bad TVLand sitcom. It's also trite and cliche to the point of sickening...to me. I think it bothers me because I come from a long line of women who worked and had careers. My grandmother always worked full time. And my mother's career as a full time counselor/therapist kept her too busy to think about whether or not she was a "Modern Woman." My sister works full time in education, so do all the women in my extended family. And, like I said, they've all been too busy working hard to bother worrying about PC phrases like "Modern Woman."
So I guess we all have words and phrases we don't like. But, trust me, I don't go ballistic and pull out the heavy artillery when I see the phrase "Modern Woman." Life's too damn short.
I read a rant on a comment thread earlier today where a person used a word a lot of people didn't like. I knew it was a joke. It reminded me of the time I read a phrase about two gay men "sharing coitus" in a m/m romance and I posted about it on facebook. One gay guy I know, who has the biting wit only a gay man can have, left the comment, "Isn't coitus something you fry up in a pan with brown sugar?" I couldn't stop laughing, both at my facebook friend's comment and that anyone would write about gay men sharing "coitus."
But I know a lot of people wouldn't laugh. And I often wonder when people lost their senses of humor. I didn't find the word I saw earlier today offensive and I'm a gay man. But the people who jumped all over this comment were braced for battle.
Sometimes I think we've become a little too PC. Other times I think people who frequent the Interwebs don't take their meds on schedule.
Then I signed on this evening and I saw that a well known reporter made a comment and everyone was jumping all over him. He only said two words, and he clearly didn't mean to offend anyone. But the media jumped on him, along with a few loud groups who I think sit and wait for people to slip up, and he issued an apology for something he never intended to hurt anyone with in the first place. And, I don't think the words were bad. In fact, I wouldn't have even "gotten" the implications if someone hadn't called attention to it.
After that, I started to think about my own pet peeves when it comes to words and phrases. I guess we all have them. With me, one phrase I despise is "Modern Woman." It sounds like the title of a bad TVLand sitcom. It's also trite and cliche to the point of sickening...to me. I think it bothers me because I come from a long line of women who worked and had careers. My grandmother always worked full time. And my mother's career as a full time counselor/therapist kept her too busy to think about whether or not she was a "Modern Woman." My sister works full time in education, so do all the women in my extended family. And, like I said, they've all been too busy working hard to bother worrying about PC phrases like "Modern Woman."
So I guess we all have words and phrases we don't like. But, trust me, I don't go ballistic and pull out the heavy artillery when I see the phrase "Modern Woman." Life's too damn short.
Gay Men Love Their Toys, too!
I'm not talking about those kinds of toys, so get your minds out of the gutter.
I'm talking about how some gay men love the same toys straight men love. For the most part, men think alike, gay or straight. I know I can't pass a marina without checking out at least one jet ski. And I'm fascinated by this "thing" that produces snow...whenever you want snow...so much I'm about one step away from ordering it. I know it's just a toy. I know we will probably get plenty of snow here this winter. But what if we don't? I'll have my snow machine to make winter worth while.
There are certain things that make me cringe. I'd rather read an erotic romance that was recommended by a well known book reviewer/blogger whom I won't mention by name than go shopping. This book reviewer has hideous taste in erotic romance, but I'd rather read a recommendation from them than go to Macy's. In fact, shopping makes me cringe so much I can't even look at a parking lot in a mall without getting a little nauseous. When I go to the store, I buy what I need. I don't shop. I don't have the patience.
But put me in the middle of a Home Depot or Lowes and I'm in all my glory. And I'm not even all that handy. It's just being surrounded by all those toys that gets me excited. It's hard to explain. And my latest toy is a home generator. That's what's in the box on my garage floor in the photo above. I wanted to get a close up but I used my phone to take the photo and it was too dark inside the garage to get a closer shot.
I've owned my home now for nine years this month. We had a rough nor'easter come up the east coast about two weeks ago that dumped over seven inches of heavy wet snow where I live, in New Hope, Buck's County, PA. No one was prepared for it. We all lost trees and went without power for days. And when you live in a somewhat rural area and you don't have power that means you don't have heat, water...or anything.
I'm always stocked with plenty of firewood and I have a huge walk-in fireplace, so my living room was nice and warm. I had my Kobo e-reader and my new iPhone to keep busy. And in the past nine years, this is the first time the power has ever gone out for longer than a few hours. But I started thinking about the fact that it could happen again. And then I started talking to other guys I know who have their own generators. So I decided to get a generator, too. It's my latest toy and I'm loving it. I'm having even more fun with this than I am with my new tablet. And this way, if the power ever does go out, I'll be prepared. I'm almost looking forward to it.
Could I have lived without a generator? I guess I could. It's not like I'm living in the middle of nowhere. New York is an hour away; Philadelphia is a half hour. There are many busy suburbs in between. But a toy is a toy, and sometimes you have to have it. Even if you're a gay man who doesn't like to shop.
November 8, 2011
The Literature Map: Is It Up to Date?
I came across a link to something called "The Literature Map" this morning. It's interesting because you can enter in the name of an author you like, it does a fast search, and then it matches other authors with the name you entered.
In other words, if you love James Patterson, when you enter his name a group of other authors will come up that are supposedly the kind of authors that people who like James Patterson will read. Fans of James Patterson read, X, Y, Z authors, too.
But I'm not sure how accurate or up to date it is. I'm not even sure who runs the site. I read James Patterson and was surprised to see Lee Child came up. I don't read Lee Child and probably never will. It's just not my thing. And I wasn't too fond of the other authors that came up with James Patterson either.
And is it up to date? I don't know. I do know that when I typed in the names of my favorite genre and sub-genre authors I couldn't find anything. Clearly, it's not like doing an amazon search. And I know these authors are people with good sales and tons of publishing credits...not to mention readers.
If you are so inclined, check the site out for fun and find out for yourselves. Maybe I'm way off base. But I have a feeling this might be, allegedly, more of a promotional tool than anything else.
In other words, if you love James Patterson, when you enter his name a group of other authors will come up that are supposedly the kind of authors that people who like James Patterson will read. Fans of James Patterson read, X, Y, Z authors, too.
But I'm not sure how accurate or up to date it is. I'm not even sure who runs the site. I read James Patterson and was surprised to see Lee Child came up. I don't read Lee Child and probably never will. It's just not my thing. And I wasn't too fond of the other authors that came up with James Patterson either.
And is it up to date? I don't know. I do know that when I typed in the names of my favorite genre and sub-genre authors I couldn't find anything. Clearly, it's not like doing an amazon search. And I know these authors are people with good sales and tons of publishing credits...not to mention readers.
If you are so inclined, check the site out for fun and find out for yourselves. Maybe I'm way off base. But I have a feeling this might be, allegedly, more of a promotional tool than anything else.
November 7, 2011
About Pen Names
You folks who are using pen names have every right to use them. Authors have always used pen names and they have good reasons for doing it.
Some don't want a conflict of interest with their day jobs. Some don't want family members to find out what they write. Others like to hop genres so they don't confuse their readers. And the list goes on, and in each case there's usually a valid, individual reason.
So if you're using a pen name, you don't have to expose yourself. There's nothing wrong with pen names. I may or may not use one in the future. It all depends on what I decide to write down the line. I have in the past, and I found it arduous at best to keep up with the pen name. I didn't like *not* being who I was. I probably should have used a pen name with A YOUNG WIDOW'S PROMISE, but I decided I'd rather promote it with my real name. Like I said, the pen name thing didn't work for me. Unfortunately, A YOUNG WIDOW'S PROMISE, which is a historical and a genre I don't usually tackle, might wind up tanking. But I was prepared for that and I have no regrets.
I fully understand how authors in the m/m genre feel about using their own names. There's still a lot of discrimination out there. For me, it was a personal decision to always use my real name and identity whenever I wrote LGBTQ fiction because that's who I am. And I honestly don't give a damn what anyone else thinks. Using my own name also gives me leverage when I'm under attack.
But if you are using a pen name and writing fiction, you have nothing to worry about. Unless you are actively deceiving the public and leading them on in an unethical way, no one is going to fault you for protecting your identity. Just don't abuse the pen name. That can be dangerous.
Some don't want a conflict of interest with their day jobs. Some don't want family members to find out what they write. Others like to hop genres so they don't confuse their readers. And the list goes on, and in each case there's usually a valid, individual reason.
So if you're using a pen name, you don't have to expose yourself. There's nothing wrong with pen names. I may or may not use one in the future. It all depends on what I decide to write down the line. I have in the past, and I found it arduous at best to keep up with the pen name. I didn't like *not* being who I was. I probably should have used a pen name with A YOUNG WIDOW'S PROMISE, but I decided I'd rather promote it with my real name. Like I said, the pen name thing didn't work for me. Unfortunately, A YOUNG WIDOW'S PROMISE, which is a historical and a genre I don't usually tackle, might wind up tanking. But I was prepared for that and I have no regrets.
I fully understand how authors in the m/m genre feel about using their own names. There's still a lot of discrimination out there. For me, it was a personal decision to always use my real name and identity whenever I wrote LGBTQ fiction because that's who I am. And I honestly don't give a damn what anyone else thinks. Using my own name also gives me leverage when I'm under attack.
But if you are using a pen name and writing fiction, you have nothing to worry about. Unless you are actively deceiving the public and leading them on in an unethical way, no one is going to fault you for protecting your identity. Just don't abuse the pen name. That can be dangerous.
