Complaint Department discussion
What I really hate about...
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What I really hate in m/m romance stories
Macky wrote: "I really hate it when you're really into a story and drooling over the MC and the author suddenly decides to tell you that the hero looks exactly like some actor or film star who you think is prett..."Sorry, this got run over... Agree whole-heartedly! Unless he looks like, I don't know, Daniel Radcliffe, who is kinda hard to describe and yet, kinda yummy...
Macky wrote: "I'm with Jen on the ' his lover ' debate. I don't mind it every now and again but what I do hate is when th author keeps using things lie ' the blond", "the brunette", " the Jock" etc... They have ..."Absolutely, they're not slabs of meat (unless they want to be :D ). But once their names are seared into your brain, along with which hand belongs to who and is inside whom, some relief might be in order. Still struggling with that, aside from the ubiquitous (in my taste range) "boy" (legal age) to the "man" (slightly older), which gets threadbare real fast.
Goesta wrote: "Macky wrote: "I really hate it when you're really into a story and drooling over the MC and the author suddenly decides to tell you that the hero looks exactly like some actor or film star who you ..."Not in Harry Potter mode!! Although in the Woman in Black he got my pulse throbbing a wee bit.....
Tʀɪsʜᴀ wrote: "Goesta wrote: "Did I mention I hate to use "boyfriend" unless the guy involved is around six- to eighteen? To me, sounds so belittling (as in immature) of the relationship. I guess everyone grown u..."I agree, Trisha, boyfriend is totally cute and appropriate, even into the 20s, and with fresh romances much older than that, too. It's just that, once my ... husband and I had been together for 10 years, boyfriend didn't seem so appropriate anymore.
Goesta wrote: "Macky wrote: "I'm with Jen on the ' his lover ' debate. I don't mind it every now and again but what I do hate is when th author keeps using things lie ' the blond", "the brunette", " the Jock" etc..."The useage of ' Kid' also grates.
Goesta wrote: "Tʀɪsʜᴀ wrote: "Goesta wrote: "Did I mention I hate to use "boyfriend" unless the guy involved is around six- to eighteen? To me, sounds so belittling (as in immature) of the relationship. I guess e..."I suppose. But then I think of those who never marry. I just imagine boyfriend or partner for them. Husband for those who do. :)
Macky wrote: "I really hate it when you're really into a story and drooling over the MC and the author suddenly decides to tell you that the hero looks exactly like some actor or film star who you think is prett..."I don't think I've ever stumbled across that, although now I think about it, you may be truly horrified to see my description of Felix in my LHNB story.
Goesta wrote: "Did I mention I hate to use "boyfriend" unless the guy involved is around six- to eighteen? To me, sounds so belittling (as in immature) of the relationship. I guess everyone grown up with differen..."
I actually would give this as a small part of the reason me and my...ahem...boyfriend got married. We first started going out as teenagers, but ten years and two kids later it just sounded weird. You're right 'boyfriend' and 'husband' are factual whereas 'lover' has more emotional meaning, but that said I wouldn't like to see someone described as 'his boyfriend' particularly either, I prefer just 'him' or his name.
There's nothing wrong with 'his lover' and if you want to use it, then use it. It's all down to personal preference, I just happen to not like it but that doesn't mean I'm right (although, you know, I am.)
Or "The Science Teacher" in Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban's "Caught Running". *cringing and shuddering*
Aves wrote: "Or "The Science Teacher" in Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban's "Caught Running". *cringing and shuddering*"'The incredibly buff sports teacher' would be much better, wouldn't it?
Or better still, 'the tight buttocked ballet teacher?'
As long as you've not made him look like Matt Lucas then I trust your impeccable twinky taste!!
Macky wrote: "As long as you've not made him look like Jonathan Ross then I trust your impeccable twinky taste!!"Oh, much, much worse than that, I promise you ;) But I do get it out the way right at the start, if that helps?
"the hot bod airline pilot with ballet training" :)
Danni wrote: "Macky wrote: "As long as you've not made him look like Jonathan Ross then I trust your impeccable twinky taste!!"Oh, much, much worse than that, I promise you ;) But I do get it out the way righ..."
Oh no I'm scared now....very very scared! Eeeeeeeeeeeek!
Tʀɪsʜᴀ wrote: "I hate "sweet cheeks" Shudder, shudder, shudder. Wasn't that Mel Gibson's chat up line?
Macky wrote: "Goesta wrote: "Macky wrote: "I really hate it when you're really into a story and drooling over the MC and the author suddenly decides to tell you that the hero looks exactly like some actor or fil..."Oh yeah, that one got me going.
Danni wrote: "Tʀɪsʜᴀ wrote: "I hate "sweet cheeks" Shudder, shudder, shudder. Wasn't that Mel Gibson's chat up line?"Yeah. I have heard some people use it a lot. It was in a book I read. The one that shocked me was "angel" from crush. I loved that because of the characters.
Aves wrote: "Or "The Science Teacher" in Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban's "Caught Running". *cringing and shuddering*"There is a certain amount of distance in such a description, isn't there. Almost like the authors couldn't let us or the characters into a more personal space. Maybe that's why I quit reading the book after a few chapters - it just came across as so cold and distant.
Well, in my novel Prince of Atlantis, one of the characters mentions that the other looks a lot like Clark Gable, but there was a reason for that, in many levels. Not something a I do a lot, actually I think I only did it in that one.I guess authors sometimes just want to give you an idea of what the character looks like but it shouldn't be used as a crutch instead of using more creative ways to give you an image of the character.
Gabbo wrote: "Oh yeah, that one got me going. " Lol, fancy seeing you here Gabbo!@Trish, thanks for the warning, I really want to read Crush.
Danni wrote: "Gabbo wrote: "Oh yeah, that one got me going. " Lol, fancy seeing you here Gabbo!@Trish, thanks for the warning, I really want to read Crush."
Oh My God, it's a brilliant book. I loved it so much and "angel" just fitted for me in a lot of ways. But I enjoyed the sap. I think most people that read the book will love it, I'm just not sure everyone will be able for it. :)
Gabbo wrote: "Well, in my novel Prince of Atlantis, one of the characters mentions that the other looks a lot like Clark Gable, but there was a reason for that, in many levels. Not something a I do a lot, actual..."I forgive you because you can do anything and I heart you, so can Danni and so can Goesta or any other writer in this group but the rest.... Gah! Oh and I didn't mind it in Josh Lanyons Adrien English series because it suited the mood of the book...... Perhaps it doesn't really bother me at all... No it really does. Lol. :)
Goesta wrote: "Did I mention I hate to use "boyfriend" unless the guy involved is around six- to eighteen? To me, sounds so belittling (as in immature) of the relationship. I guess everyone grown up with differen..."I always thought husband was for straight married couples also, but since gay marriage is becoming legal I am warming up to it. In fact I try and use it when referring to Tim as much as I can because I want the straight world to get used to it. Boyfriend is so highschool.
Jerry wrote: "Goesta wrote: "Did I mention I hate to use "boyfriend" unless the guy involved is around six- to eighteen? To me, sounds so belittling (as in immature) of the relationship. I guess everyone grown u..."But if you're married he is your husband, simple as! Us straights had better get with the programme. Equality for all. :)
But maybe I want him to be my Hisband. Or my Woof. Or Mansqueeze. Why do we have to invent everything for the straights (art, fashion, wrestling unitards) and then steal it back from them (anachronistic vocabulary, terms of endearment)... ;P
Goesta wrote: "But maybe I want him to be my Hisband. Or my Woof. Or Mansqueeze. Why do we have to invent everything for the straights (art, fashion, wrestling unitards) and then steal it back from them (anachron..."Because you're cool like that! It takes all kinds to make this world interesting and fun. :oD
Goesta wrote: "But maybe I want him to be my Hisband. Or my Woof. Or Mansqueeze. Why do we have to invent everything for the straights (art, fashion, wrestling unitards) and then steal it back from them (anachron..."Why should it have to be straights and gays? Blacks and whites, disabled and ablebodied...etc etc. We're all just people, some good some bad regardless. Why can't it just be universal without labels... Now that's when it will be bleeping great! Aren't labels a load of rubbish when it comes to compartmentalising different groups of people. One day.....
Macky wrote: "Aren't labels a load of rubbish when it comes to compartmentalising different groups of people. One day....."Very true.
All for total equality of beingness, but no labels? I'd be lost without the little yellow stickers on my forehead and backside, telling me what's what. And not sure I could thrive in a dating world where, as I'm sure will happen one fine day, you are no longer allowed to remark upon your gender, let alone preference (how discriminatory...). "Arrested for mentioning preferring blue eyes in public." I can see it now.
It would be nice to be able to approach a person of any gender/orientation/interest (or lack thereof) and say, "I'm interested in you," and not have any hangups get in the way of such a conversation.I just don't know how it would work without the labels because that's the world we've grown up with. I think it could work in the future when the next few generation have had the chance to work out the kinks in the system. It's a matter of teaching open mindedness to those who are coming up behind us (and no puns are intended in that paragraph).
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Now to get back to the less serious minded stuff:
What I really hate in m/m romance stories is the more dominant of a pairing calling his lover "little one." There's something so off about calling a full grown adult male that term, I don't know how to explain it.
Goesta wrote: "All for total equality of beingness, but no labels? I'd be lost without the little yellow stickers on my forehead and backside, telling me what's what. And not sure I could thrive in a dating world..."OK. Perhaps theres nothing wrong with yellow stickers but I just wish they were used as differences to be embraced, not rejected as something derogatory. Each persons 'difference' is that persons norm and should be recognised as such and be accepted. Just Mackys musings! Lol!! :)
Lori wrote: "the more dominant of a pairing calling his lover "little one." There's something so off about calling a full grown adult male that term, I don't know how to explain it. "That hurts, just reading it, ick! Apart from making me less than excited about whether the description might hold, um, all over. My husband would kick me in the nuts, so much for illusions of dominance.
(not that what I just wrote makes me think of him, darn, all tangled up now, in this garden hose...)
Macky wrote: "Goesta wrote: "All for total equality of beingness, but no labels? I'd be lost without the little yellow stickers on my forehead and backside, telling me what's what. And not sure I could thrive in..."Darling Macky, you know I agree. I was awkwardly attempting to express a certain absurdity about a perfect world where we might be legally required to select a mate based on the attractiveness of their social security number. Will attempt to remove foot now...
Goesta wrote: "Macky wrote: "Goesta wrote: "All for total equality of beingness, but no labels? I'd be lost without the little yellow stickers on my forehead and backside, telling me what's what. And not sure I c..."Haha! You had me at Darling Macky.... Your foot's nowhere near the proverbial, it never was... I agree with you. Your Beatrice was Just Having an impassioned moment. ;)
There are labels and there are knockoffs, if we learn to be the real thing, even the haters will eventually accept us. And when I say us, I mean humans of all persuasions.Back to what we hate, yeah I think is silly to call a grown up man "little" if he is as tall and big (or even taller and bigger) as the caller. I understand the power play, but I think it has a very specific place to be, not everywhere.
BTW I'm not legally married but I am in my heart and that's why I say hubby all the time. ^_^
I like the combination of large and small, not everything has to be the same size. My hubby and I are pretty equal in everything both physical and mental ability which is probably why I like reading about a bigger jock (read strapping V shape with bulges in all the right places) falling for a less than jock (not as strapping, less than able at sports, etc....).
Macky wrote: "I'm with Jen on the ' his lover ' debate. I don't mind it every now and again but what I do hate is when the author keeps using monikers like ' the blond", "the brunette", " the Jock" etc... They h..."Which makes me annoyed enough to recall the late
Jerry wrote: "I like the combination of large and small, not everything has to be the same size. My hubby and I are pretty equal in everything both physical and mental ability which is probably why I like readin..."@Jerry Oh totally... my fictional pairings seem to tend to physically "mismatched" to such an extent that I was forced to throw in some twins (no doubt another subject of extreme opinions ;) ) just to even things out. And I confess the word "little" has been used, endearingly, though only in reference to the disproportionate effect of this individual on the speaker and not in the way that was being justifiably complained about.
@Roger: I wasn't familiar with Mr. Winner, though it seems he might in fact have been supremely focussed on the meal in question, having been a food critic. Not that I've EVER forgotten the name of a date while deciding whether to let his Aspèrges a là Vinaigrette chase my De Jaeger.
Goesta wrote: "@Roger: I wasn't familiar with Mr. Winner, though it seems he might in fact have been supremely focussed on the meal in question, having been a food critic. Not that I've EVER forgotten the name of a date while deciding whether to let his Aspèrges a là Vinaigrette chase my De Jaeger...."He was, of course, a supremely self-estimated film-maker, actually not a bad one at all.
I hate that whenever I start reading a series (usually those that have about 10 or more books) I get tired of it because I can see the repetition of stuff. For example in the beginning of the book the first mc wakes up, looks in the mirror and describes his appearance. Or that in their sex lives there is clear of who is top and who is bottom, but towards the end of the book they decide to switch it up. I also can't staaaand insta love. It's always either that or a first-hate-then-love relationship. There are few books that actually have a nice build up of the relationship between the mcs
(I didn't read all comments before this one, so if anyone already mentioned any of these points just substitute all of what I've written to "I agree with you" xD)
Yoqu aren't the only Jane. My friend Letti, also hates insta love and repetition/ recycled story lines. You would think an author would rather end a series with a bang rather than a whimper. Always leave the crowd wanting more is a creed some should really adopt.I stated this before but my post disappeared. I hate the fact that there aren't many male authors writing m/m (or being published). This is def a female dominated genre and I hope it changes. Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful female writers out there but sometimes I want to read a story told from a male perspective. What I especially don't like are female writers that jumping on the m/m bandwagon not because they have an appreciation or love for the genre but because they just want to sell books. I despise reading m/m that was clearly written as m/f but the author just changes the sex of the female MC in order to sell books. The sheer volume of crappy mm stories is appalling. Hopefully in time, more men will be published.
There are men writing in the genre, they just aren't numerous. I just discovered Scotty Cade this weekend for instance - anyone who thinks only women like to dwell on the lovey-dovey, gooey romance trope needs to read An Unconventional Courtship. Talk about mushy fun!
I just started An Unconventional Union and so far I'm enjoying it.
Also, Ethan Day, Josh Lanyon (one of the first authors I ever read in the genre), and others. I think there are more coming in and I look forward to reading their books.
Lori wrote: "There are men writing in the genre, they just aren't numerous. I just discovered Scotty Cade this weekend for instance - anyone who thinks only women like to dwell on the lovey-dovey, gooey romance..."There has been a quiet but persistent debate as to Josh Lanyon's gender, though I just checked his goodreads author profile and he's declared himself male. That's the first time I've ever seen Lanyon declare a gender unequivocally.
Aves wrote: "Lori wrote: "There are men writing in the genre, they just aren't numerous. I just discovered Scotty Cade this weekend for instance - anyone who thinks only women like to dwell on the lovey-dovey, ..."Oh, that's weird. I have always assumed he was male. I read his Man, Oh Man! Writing M/M Fiction for Kinks & Cash where obviously as a non-fiction book he is writing as himself and it never crossed my mind that he could be female, but maybe that's just the assumption I made.
Danni wrote: "Aves wrote: "Lori wrote: "There are men writing in the genre, they just aren't numerous. I just discovered Scotty Cade this weekend for instance - anyone who thinks only women like to dwell on the ..."If I've done it right, you can click on this link and see in the comments just how charged the whole matter of an author's gender can be.
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/51...
The biggest problem with figuring out an author's gender are the gender neutral names that everyone seems to sport these days. I always sorta assumed that Lanyon was male, in part because the first Adrien English is firmly in the gay mystery genre as opposed to the m/m genre. But, I could be wrong.
To be honest I think I've read just as many by men as I have women... Assuming that they aren't using pseudonyms. But I'm pretty sure most aren't.Check out TA Webb ( Tom...his books are awesome! ) then there's our lovely Roger ( kean ) and his talented artist hubby Oliver Frey aka Zack.... Definite male written must reads... And no they're not paying me. LOL!
Once again dislike tops who get their partner off first somewhere in the middle, and think they're doing him a favour, and then mercilessly hammer into him; and otherwise nice guys who slink away in confusion while their brand-new date is asleep. Both of which have put a crimp in my enjoyment of The Gravedigger's Brawl, the set-up of which I really like. Must get past that blunder (maybe tomorrow)! I'm told it's a good read.
In that case, Macky, can I have the cheque back please… ;-))
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Well, I'm 16. Maybe that's why I like boyfriend? I also find it kind of cute. I hate "sweet cheeks". I don't remember the name of the book, but I read it a while ago and that term was used instead of "babe," "baby" or "lover." That annoyed me. I don't mind partner.