R.I.P. Darla the Muse
"Many writers yearn to turn their life stories into fiction... that is the advantage of fiction. The writer isn’t wedded to the truth. We [authors] can change the truth in service to the story. We should change the truth in service to the story, because the story always comes first. We can create characters that combine what we were like with what we wish we were like. If we didn’t make good choices, our characters give us a do-over. Our characters can make the spectacularly bad choices we didn’t make, face the consequences, and grow in the process of trying to recover or make amends. Finally, we can end our stories with hope, even if we didn’t discover that hope ourselves until many years later." --Lyn Miller-Lachmann.
"Darla the Muse" is admittedly my first attempt at writing a fiction novel, albeit one which contains elements of so-called "erotica". (I don't want to shock anyone, but so does real life.) I have found to my dismay that some of my readers have difficulty separating the characters in this book with individuals they know personally (including myself), upon whom they think the fictional characters are based. All I can say to them is: "Get over it!" If you are unable or unwilling to separate the characters within a book from the author (or someone you know personally), the problem is with you... not the book. The characters within any fictional novel take on a life of their own in the context of the story, as they interact with other characters in a fictional setting. Erik Eckerd and Darla the Muse are both fictional characters and have no counterparts in real life, regardless who someone may consciously or unconsciously identify with them in the real world. Nevertheless, I have changed the subtitle yet again and have redefined the story line for those who are admittedly too embarrassed to read past the first chapter or so, because they either know me or someone else personally and have mistakenly identified one or more of the book's characters as a real person.
The people I know who have actually read "Darla the Muse" from cover to cover said they loved it, but most of those haven't bothered to post a review on Amazon -- even anonymously. I'm delighted that some of you enjoyed my work, but forgive me... that's just lame! On the other hand, if you read it and don't like it, I want to know why so I can change it for the better. To say, "I hate your shoes!" is just plain mean. However, it could be very helpful for a friend to suggest something like, "I think black shoes might work better with that outfit." If you haven't actually read "Darla the Muse", you have no right to comment on it either way -- except perhaps to say why not. Anyone who posts a review of any book without having read it is simply being dishonest. I sincerely appreciate constructive criticism and have often used negative feedback to improve what I've written, but those who haven't read this book should keep their preconceived opinions of it to themselves... especially if they haven't read it because they are too embarrassed for some stupid reason, too lazy to spend a couple of hours reading instead of scrolling for hours on Facebook, won't read any book labeled "erotica" but watch "R" rated movies without hesitation, or are simply not interested in the topic... which I completely understand. (Please don't ask me to read a book about golf, video games, women's fashion, or kittens; I could not care less about such topics!)
Rufus Choate, an eighteenth century congressman, wrote, "A book is the only immortality." That may be true of the Bible, but how many of us have read anything else old Rufus wrote? I haven't. Most books die shortly after birth, never to be resurrected. Some authors say their books are like their children, but my family and friends have been and will always be so much more important. Some don't like each other, and some don't like one or more of my books. But so far, all my books have survived the onslaught of negativity visited upon them by the general public. They reflect my innermost thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Like most novel notions, some are better than others. Some change with new information. Others change with better ideas and as I learn new writing skills, but the core ideas contained within them remain unaltered.
"Darla the Muse" is a fictional story about one man's obsession with a woman who inspires his writing. His letter to her and her prayers on his behalf eventually permit him entry into the afterlife. However, his questionable character must be tested a final time to ensure that he has developed an adequate moral compass... or face a second and final death, from which there is no return. (See http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UP8XNGK )
"Darla the Muse" will lie quietly until you open her tome and resurrect her. If you don't, may she rest in peace. I'm fine with that, too! --Kerry L. Barger
(Read Lyn Miller-Lachmann's full article "Separating Writer from Character" at http://disabilityinkidlit.com/2013/09... )
"Darla the Muse" is admittedly my first attempt at writing a fiction novel, albeit one which contains elements of so-called "erotica". (I don't want to shock anyone, but so does real life.) I have found to my dismay that some of my readers have difficulty separating the characters in this book with individuals they know personally (including myself), upon whom they think the fictional characters are based. All I can say to them is: "Get over it!" If you are unable or unwilling to separate the characters within a book from the author (or someone you know personally), the problem is with you... not the book. The characters within any fictional novel take on a life of their own in the context of the story, as they interact with other characters in a fictional setting. Erik Eckerd and Darla the Muse are both fictional characters and have no counterparts in real life, regardless who someone may consciously or unconsciously identify with them in the real world. Nevertheless, I have changed the subtitle yet again and have redefined the story line for those who are admittedly too embarrassed to read past the first chapter or so, because they either know me or someone else personally and have mistakenly identified one or more of the book's characters as a real person.
The people I know who have actually read "Darla the Muse" from cover to cover said they loved it, but most of those haven't bothered to post a review on Amazon -- even anonymously. I'm delighted that some of you enjoyed my work, but forgive me... that's just lame! On the other hand, if you read it and don't like it, I want to know why so I can change it for the better. To say, "I hate your shoes!" is just plain mean. However, it could be very helpful for a friend to suggest something like, "I think black shoes might work better with that outfit." If you haven't actually read "Darla the Muse", you have no right to comment on it either way -- except perhaps to say why not. Anyone who posts a review of any book without having read it is simply being dishonest. I sincerely appreciate constructive criticism and have often used negative feedback to improve what I've written, but those who haven't read this book should keep their preconceived opinions of it to themselves... especially if they haven't read it because they are too embarrassed for some stupid reason, too lazy to spend a couple of hours reading instead of scrolling for hours on Facebook, won't read any book labeled "erotica" but watch "R" rated movies without hesitation, or are simply not interested in the topic... which I completely understand. (Please don't ask me to read a book about golf, video games, women's fashion, or kittens; I could not care less about such topics!)
Rufus Choate, an eighteenth century congressman, wrote, "A book is the only immortality." That may be true of the Bible, but how many of us have read anything else old Rufus wrote? I haven't. Most books die shortly after birth, never to be resurrected. Some authors say their books are like their children, but my family and friends have been and will always be so much more important. Some don't like each other, and some don't like one or more of my books. But so far, all my books have survived the onslaught of negativity visited upon them by the general public. They reflect my innermost thoughts, emotions, and ideas. Like most novel notions, some are better than others. Some change with new information. Others change with better ideas and as I learn new writing skills, but the core ideas contained within them remain unaltered.
"Darla the Muse" is a fictional story about one man's obsession with a woman who inspires his writing. His letter to her and her prayers on his behalf eventually permit him entry into the afterlife. However, his questionable character must be tested a final time to ensure that he has developed an adequate moral compass... or face a second and final death, from which there is no return. (See http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UP8XNGK )
"Darla the Muse" will lie quietly until you open her tome and resurrect her. If you don't, may she rest in peace. I'm fine with that, too! --Kerry L. Barger
(Read Lyn Miller-Lachmann's full article "Separating Writer from Character" at http://disabilityinkidlit.com/2013/09... )
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