Complaint Department discussion
What I really hate about...
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What I really hate in m/m romance stories
A.B. wrote: "The reaction to "Red+Blue" was interesting as a lot of the book revolves around the risk of getting HIV.Some readers thought my characters dismissed risks too easily or should have become angrier..."
I loved how you dealt with it in Red+Blue. If I were in the dating realm I would be pretty obsessed with condoms that I don't think I could "forget".
You're right, Goesta, it's all fiction. The reader should be able to discern fantasy from reality. Still, it all carries a message. In this case, it's romance, so the message is about sex. I've heard and read about too many young, gay guys having an m/m romance be their first validating experience to think that how the safe sex topic is handled in this genre is unimportant. In my experience within the genre, I've found that the real test of commitment is going bareback. It's the equivalent of "'til death do us part."
@A.B.: YAY!!! Can't wait to read Jason's story!
Goesta wrote: "While I'm sure I appreciate the intention and whatnot, since when do fiction writers have to condone, or not, any of the behaviour of their characters? Think of the litany of product warnings that ..."Well argued Mr G but the difference is less people will be swayed to go out and kill just because its in a book or in a film, although of course there are arguments and discussions around that but EVERYONE wants to have sex, sex is like food its moreish and it feels bloody good so that's why now kids are doing it at 12 & 13 , mostly irresponsibly which tends to mean you've got not only the threat of spreading diseases but also unwanted pregnancy and children bringing up babies... No make that grandparents having to bring up their 12' 13' 14' 15 year olds baby! Sex scenes in books or to take it further watching porn is more likely to lead to most people actually becoming aroused and wanting to find release either alone * cough* or with a partner and thats fine, its not a crime but it is a responsibility. So that's why I think it is different with sex than crime or murder. Its not censoring a subject its just trying to make a point that sex as great as it is, is not something to take lightly...aids( HIV ) must have started with one person and it went on to kill millions. If Jack Brighton puts that caveat in front of his stories then well done him because if I read that before reading one his books then I'd be quite happy to tap into his poetic licence and enjoy the story condoms or not because he's taking responsibility for his writing.
Of course, and I was not really arguing that but gun culture. Kids secretly show each other their parents guns to in a certain fair country before they show each other their own. Do I see warnings on tv shows? I think not.
Goesta wrote: "Of course, and I was not really arguing that but gun culture. Kids secretly show each other their parents guns to in a certain fair country before they show each other their own. Do I see warnings ..."Yep get your drift on that G and agree.
Any hoo I'm getting far too Serious. Where's Macky and what have I done with her?! I need to go and visit my smutty story, write something naughty and find myself again! :D
Goesta wrote: "And I've been so exhausted and blissed out at finishing that I just had to rev up some crank. (Otherwise, where would I be?). Well, back to mellow and glazed. Finally get to finish my Fish & Chips. :)"Crank is good.. Great for releasing tension. Fish & chips sound so good! Any mushy peas? Enjoy my friend... Or are your fish and chips an analogy for something wise and Goestaish! :D
Macky wrote: "Goesta wrote: "And I've been so exhausted and blissed out at finishing that I just had to rev up some crank. (Otherwise, where would I be?). Well, back to mellow and glazed. Finally get to finish m..."Ty and Zane.
lolSo, I was reading a book today and totally thought of Aves. I seriously laughed out loud when reading about the couple having mexican for dinner, then leftover mexican for breakfast, including breakfast burritos, super spicy salsa, etc. This was right before heading to an intense bdsm sex session. All I could think of was what improper meal choices those had to be! :D
Ah that Fish & Chips! still very tasty.....
Goesta wrote: "Of course, and I was not really arguing that but gun culture. Kids secretly show each other their parents guns to in a certain fair country before they show each other their own. Do I see warnings ..."
April 9, 2013 (CNN) -- A 6-year-old New Jersey boy has died after being shot in the head by a 4-year-old playmate as their parents stood in the yard nearby, a local police chief said. Brandon Holt was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, according to Toms River police Chief Michael Mastronardy.
It was the second incident in the United States in recent days involving young children accidentally shooting others.
April 9, 2013 (CNN) -- A 6-year-old New Jersey boy has died after being shot in the head by a 4-year-old playmate as their parents stood in the yard nearby, a local police chief said. Brandon Holt was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, according to Toms River police Chief Michael Mastronardy.
It was the second incident in the United States in recent days involving young children accidentally shooting others.
Lucas wrote: "Goesta wrote: "Of course, and I was not really arguing that but gun culture. Kids secretly show each other their parents guns to in a certain fair country before they show each other their own. Do ..."Oh God! How do kids get a hold of these dang guns? Why do people have them if they aren't going to respect that they are a deadly weapon? It is so sad. Lock up the weapons in a safe where the kids can't get them, how hard is that to understand and follow?
This whole notion of "guns don't kill people, people kill people" is nonsense. If the guns weren't available little kids wouldn't pick them up and shoot their friends or parents. It wouldn't eliminate killing, but it would put a dent in the "accidents" and massacres.
I hate this thread. Why didn't I see it earlier? Now, people already claimed things that I hate. I hate it when that happens.
Arthur wrote: "I hate this thread. Why didn't I see it earlier? Now, people already claimed things that I hate. I hate it when that happens."Arthur I just saw your comment in my updates! So funny. lol. I hate that too.
Well kiddos, I hate inaccurate naming in historical romance. I mean beside the fact that every frigging Roman is named Marcus, I just found an angel in biblical Canaan named Jesse (seriously not even Jonathan), and it doesn't make sense even as a nickname or short form of his name (which was never mentioned on the excerpt I read, and that didn't make me want to read it).
Why do girls use men pictures for their ID photo in the MM groups? I don't understand the statement. Is it that they want to be that man or that they want that man? I like to know who I am writing to. I guess I am so used to Facebook.
Ann wrote: "Why do girls use men pictures for their ID photo in the MM groups? I don't understand the statement. Is it that they want to be that man or that they want that man? I like to know who I am writin..."I think it's the second half of your question - they want that man/male model, etc. In my experience, the reason why women read m/m is because they like men, the "hotter" (a term I hate, personally) the better. And if the cover's got one of those, that's even better.
(As for me, I don't even post my own photo on Facebook, though there are pictures of me there.)
Ann wrote: "Why do girls use men pictures for their ID photo in the MM groups? I don't understand the statement. Is it that they want to be that man or that they want that man? I like to know who I am writin..."Hmm, well I guess people just like to have an avatar that tells you a little bit about themselves, which I suppose very generally on GR might mean the type of men they like (reading about) - a bit like a cover for a book - it doesn't tell the story, but hopefully gives you a little bit of info about what it is about, if that makes sense?
I'm personally wary of putting a photo of myself on GR because I want to keep my anonymity, especially when it comes to people I know IRL. Same reason I don't use my real name.
ETA: It's funny that I do 'see' people as their avatar - I guess everyone does that to a certain extent.
I actually do have my own picture on my profile but I wouldn't want to use it as my avi, only because I've never liked pictures of myself, not a lot of people do but good on you if you dont have that problem. I chose my avi because I just think he's good looking. Simple as! I could quite easily have picked a picture of a cartoon character, people pick a thing or person they like I don't think there's any agenda behind it like wanting to be that person or wanting them. That's dissecting it all a bit to much!
I always change my photo. I have plenty of photos of me on my profile but I am using . my current picture because it makes me laugh. Generally I use a photo of two hands holding a large number of HIV ribbons because of my activism on HIV issues and I use that on Facebook. I also have a baby hippos and a koala bear. Occasionally I use pictures of myself.
Gabbo wrote: "Well kiddos, I hate inaccurate naming in historical romance. I mean beside the fact that every frigging Roman is named Marcus..."I hate to point this out, Gabbo, but every Roman was named Marcus. Some, it's true were named Lucius, Gaius, Gnaeus, Cornelius, Drususus, Nero, Domitius, Titus (and the numerii Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quintus, Sextus, and Septimus… for some reason no No. Fours…), oh, and of course Publius, but the awful fact is, they all thought of themselves as MARCUS.
Quod erat demonstrandum.
I know nothing about the Canaanites, other than most thought them a bunch of Philistines. :))
I suppose you could have a Canaanite Angel called Jesse. King David"s father was called Jesse although they were Jewish not Canaanite. Although Jesse isn't really very "angelic" sounding.
Ijeoma wrote: "I suppose you could have a Canaanite Angel called Jesse. King David"s father was called Jesse although they were Jewish not Canaanite. Although Jesse isn't really very "angelic" sounding."Aren't most angels in Jewish-Christian-Islamic traditions names end with 'el'-- something related to God in ancient Hebrew? (e.g., Michael, Gabriel)
The Bible has Michael and Gabriel. I don't know about the names of angels across those three religions. I think the best approach for an author would be to do some research and choose a name that would have been in use at the time. Unless of course your story allows for the use of an unlikely name.
I guess there is a thing called fiction and another called reality. Roger makes a valid point when he explains the reason why Romans were usually Marcus. But if I'm writing a story, there has to be some creative juice in me. Imaging two protagonists named Gabriel? It would be downright wrong if not confusing. (This is my own experience not once but thrice since Gabriel is a very popular name in my country)
My point about Jesse was the fact that it sounds a bit too current, yeah many names are ancient and are still in vogue in some form or another but if you name one character Saul and then the other Jesse, it sounds like anything but ancient history, like calling a vestal virgin Tameka would be a WTF moment. If he had used Joshua, I'd not be complaining.
And let's be honest the name of your character gives flavor to his/her personality and also tells about the place where things are happening. If you call a Mexican, Lars Svenson, you need to give me a really good reason for that, because at first glance that doesn't read Hispanic at all.
Even the Archangel Gabriel in the Quran is named Jibril. You see Jibril and it takes you to some desert.
I think I rather use a made up name that sounds appropriate for the circumstances than fail to convey an atmosphere.
Gabbo wrote: " I just found an angel in biblical Canaan named Jesse (seriously not ev..."
Jesse in the Bible is the father of King David one of the most important figures of the Old Testament.
Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Paul mentions Jesse in the New Testament
Rom. 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
The "root of Jesse" is used in to refer to King David and in the New Testament Jesus is at times called the son of David.
Where is our Priest Ijeoma when you need her? <-grin->
As for Islam, Wikipedia (never the best source) says this about Jesse's son David:
"The figure of David is of extreme importance in Islam because he was one of the few prophets to receive a named revealed book. It says in the Qur'an that the Zabur, the Biblical Psalms, were given to David. David's son, Solomon (Sulaiman), took over the task of prophecy after his death and he was made the subsequent King of Israel."
So it looks like in Judaism, Christianity and Islam the importance of JESSE was that he fathered David.
Jesse in the Bible is the father of King David one of the most important figures of the Old Testament.
Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Paul mentions Jesse in the New Testament
Rom. 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
The "root of Jesse" is used in to refer to King David and in the New Testament Jesus is at times called the son of David.
Where is our Priest Ijeoma when you need her? <-grin->
As for Islam, Wikipedia (never the best source) says this about Jesse's son David:
"The figure of David is of extreme importance in Islam because he was one of the few prophets to receive a named revealed book. It says in the Qur'an that the Zabur, the Biblical Psalms, were given to David. David's son, Solomon (Sulaiman), took over the task of prophecy after his death and he was made the subsequent King of Israel."
So it looks like in Judaism, Christianity and Islam the importance of JESSE was that he fathered David.
LOL so the name is ANCIENT, still every time I read it all I would be seeing is this:
Nothing wrong with that any way.
Lucas wrote: "Gabbo wrote: " I just found an angel in biblical Canaan named Jesse (seriously not ev..."Jesse in the Bible is the father of King David one of the most important figures of the Old Testament.
Ru..."
You said it Lucas - great explanation thanks.
:)
I agree with you, Ijeoma, Jesse was being elusive yesterday and I think these images are a little more conservative and still make my point.
Gabbo wrote: "LOL so the name is ANCIENT, still every time I read it all I would be seeing is this:Nothing wrong with that any way."
Gabbo you are spoiling us!! * smiling and fanning hot flushed face*!
So, getting back to the serious crux of this discussion ....... Oooooh nipple rings.... Sorry got distracted again.....
Ha Ha Macky good job you didn't see the first set of pictures of "Raging Stallion". All I can say is butt nekkid, butt being the operative word. And all this from a discussion about appropriate names for angels. My studies in theology were never this interesting. :)
Gabbo wrote: "I agree with you, Ijeoma, Jesse was being elusive yesterday and I think these images are a little more conservative and still make my point."And I do agree that Jesse is a rather odd name to give a Canaanite angel. A 21st century angel maybe who has a day job as a cowboy and maybe is here on earth as an act of penance, does additional jobs as an exotic dancer and looks a bit like our friend above. Mistress Macky maybe a future story line or some more passengers for the plane :)
The funny thing about this Jesse (nipple-ringed baby) is that he was the first porn star I had the pleasure to see live when I arrived to Nashville, and he was cuddly and sweet in a way that if you didn't know he was doing so many piggy things in front of a camera you would just want to adopt him.
Gabbo wrote: "The funny thing about this Jesse (nipple-ringed baby) is that he was the first porn star I had the pleasure to see live when I arrived to Nashville, and he was cuddly and sweet in a way that if you..."Aww, he seriously has the cutest loveliest face. And l say that in all seriousness because from the neck down he's not really my type. But yeah, he does look cuddly and sweet and very adoptable indeed. I would be happy to adopt him (or have him adopt me) many times over...and over...and over...
Yeah, we seriously considered kidnapping him that night but hubby and I are not selfish people and he gives joy to the world, so he is better doing his piggy things!
Gabbo wrote: "Yeah, we seriously considered kidnapping him that night but hubby and I are not selfish people and he gives joy to the world, so he is better doing his piggy things!"Haha, he could have joined my lovely Kevin under the bed.
Ijeoma wrote: "Ha Ha Macky good job you didn't see the first set of pictures of "Raging Stallion". All I can say is butt nekkid, butt being the operative word. And all this from a discussion about appropriate nam..."Errrr... Actually I did! * bites lip and looks sheepish*
The nipple rings are such a turn on.
Gabbo wrote: "LOL so the name is ANCIENT, still every time I read it all I would be seeing is this"
I hate, hate, hate becoming moderatorial but I freaking have to at times—I'm sorry.
Gabbo,
I hope you might consider reposting "jesse" without the pubic hair? We agreed that since this group is open to all people age 12 and over, we wouldn't show anything below the waist.
If we don't voluntarily refrain from writing or displaying anything not suitable for a twelve year old Goodreads can force us to close the group and make it adult only. Adult only will mean people under 18 any anyone regardless of age who does not have their birthdate in their profile will be kicked out of the group. Adult groups are closed meaning people wanting to join will have to apply for membership, post their birthdate in their profile and get approved before being allowed to join or browse our group.
Currently the youngest member of our group is a 14 year girl but even younger kids can view us or join us.
Thank you~!
I hate, hate, hate becoming moderatorial but I freaking have to at times—I'm sorry.
Gabbo,
I hope you might consider reposting "jesse" without the pubic hair? We agreed that since this group is open to all people age 12 and over, we wouldn't show anything below the waist.
If we don't voluntarily refrain from writing or displaying anything not suitable for a twelve year old Goodreads can force us to close the group and make it adult only. Adult only will mean people under 18 any anyone regardless of age who does not have their birthdate in their profile will be kicked out of the group. Adult groups are closed meaning people wanting to join will have to apply for membership, post their birthdate in their profile and get approved before being allowed to join or browse our group.
Currently the youngest member of our group is a 14 year girl but even younger kids can view us or join us.
Thank you~!
And there was a little birdie telling me not to show Jesse's bush. I was like nahhh, a little peek-a-boo is fine.Now, I'm aware of the range of our members so I'll keep the images age appropriate.
(Jesse is a little upset --needing comfort from Kevin-- that his hairy adornments might not be all visible but he's confident that those who'd like to inspect them would go the extra inch, I mean mile, to enjoy it. He wholeheartedly hopes he can keep his shirt off.)
To make him feel better he asked for another pic to be posted.
Had anyone else noticed that the panther looks like a bull in the first pic?
Gabbo wrote: "To make him feel better he asked for another pic to be posted.Had anyone else noticed that the panther looks like a bull in the first pic?"
It is a bull in the first pic. Maybe he became shy for the other two pictures? *shrug*
Please feel free to post any more pictures you have, I wouldn't want the model to feel bad.
Now you got me thinking that bull went to lower places, hmmm... perhaps having a fight with another animal's trunk...
JustJen wrote: "Maybe they need to come up with some new words. Another that drives me nuts is "tight bundle of nerves.""Shit. I just wrote that today in my LHNB story. Gah!
Yikes. Sorry, Aria. :D
Aria wrote: "JustJen wrote: "Maybe they need to come up with some new words. Another that drives me nuts is "tight bundle of nerves.""Shit. I just wrote that today in my LHNB story. Gah!"
IKR? My sister is reading my half finished story, and she's all, "you use this guy's name too many times." Well .... I can't call him, 'the man,' 'the other man,' 'the taller man,' 'the smaller man,' 'the blond,' 'the brunette,' the whatever he is that I've already used too many times because people hate it .... *sigh*
whines *This is haaaaarrrddd!*
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There's never any discussion about the fact that the character in question is so impatient to have sex that he rushes right into a dangerous situation without thinking and that he's under age in the first place. I was really ticked off at the guy he has sex with, not only does he willingly have sex with a minor, he essentially uses the kid for his own purposes then tells him to get lost before the boyfriend shows up. Presumably the older guy is the more experienced of the pair and should have been using his head in the situation, but as I remember it, he never stops to put any kind of protection on either.
I would have liked to read the next book in the series, but after reading another of Sanchez's books Boyfriends with Girlfriends , in which, once again, everyone who's under 18 is going at it like bunnies, I think I'll pass.