Authors: Abandon Dignity and Write a Racy Page-turner… (says Fay Weldon)

[Emmanuelle]

Fay Weldon (an author I have long admired for her forthright commentary on women's self-determination) is advocating that we create different versions of our work for different audiences: e-book v. print.

Her argument is that e-book readers are less inclined to seek out 'contemplative' works, preferring to read 'action-based' stories, while those purchasing print copies are more open to 'literary fiction'.

What think we…?

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...

[Jim]

I never realised I had literary dignity.......

[Patti (baconater)]

You ooze dignity, darling.

[Emmanuelle]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "You ooze dignity, darling."

Jim wrote: "I never realised I had literary dignity......."

As long as the 'dignity' puts gin in the cupboard and chocolate in the pantry.
xx

[Tim]

I must have lots of literary dignity. Or perhaps it's just general ooze...

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Are you oozing gin, Tim?

[Tim]

Nah, red plonk.

[Jim]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "You ooze dignity, darling."

that might be why I have none left.

People who write high brow literature like what I do shouldn't be expected to produce some sort of 'ripping yarn' for hoi polloi!
I owe it to my muse to write nothing but prose unsullied by any form of interest or excitement

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Jim wrote:
"People who write high brow literature like what I do shouldn't be expected to produce some sort of 'ripping yarn' for hoi polloi!
I owe it to my muse to write nothing but prose unsullied by any form of interest or excitement "

Or yak and beans.

[Jim]

Well I suppose there is an element of pandering to the whims of the masses

[Emmanuelle]

Jim wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "You ooze dignity, darling."

that might be why I have none left.

People who write high brow literature like what I do shouldn't be expected to produce some sort of 'rippi..."

Too much excitement can be bad for you (especially on the morning commute).

[Jim]

Jacquelynn wrote: "Are we talking about making money, or writing for enjoyment? I write the way I write. It's not literary fiction, because I prefer plot based novels. But I'm unlikely to change my style, because ..."

I do write for money, articles on animal health issues, TB eradication, local authority development plans and all sorts of stunning stuff like that.
So like Jacquelynn, if I write a book, I really have to enjoy the process :-)

[Emmanuelle]

Jacquelynn wrote: "Are we talking about making money, or writing for enjoyment? I write the way I write. It's not literary fiction, because I prefer plot based novels. But I'm unlikely to change my style, because ..."

Jim wrote: "Jacquelynn wrote: "Are we talking about making money, or writing for enjoyment? I write the way I write. It's not literary fiction, because I prefer plot based novels. But I'm unlikely to change..."

I believe that Fay Weldon is speaking exclusively from a commercial standpoint, translating writing into sales.

[Emmanuelle]

Jacquelynn wrote: "I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I wanted to earn some money from my writing. Apart from anything else, it's something you can mention to non-writing friends and/or partners who can't see the ..."

Hello Jacquelynn: life is certainly too short to write without pleasure. I began because I felt compelled; the words begged to be written. It's brought me huge intellectual satisfaction. In writing from such a place, whatever your genre, the results must surely please not only yourself but (some) others.

I'd like to think that 'literary' works would be available in both formats without reduction, since so many dedicated readers have consciously chosen to no longer stockpile print copies.

However, I think I can understand Fay Weldon's notion: creating a more accessible version of some heavier works for wider enjoyment: rather as abridged versions used to be published (eg. of the works of Dickens) to encourage youngsters to sample stories they might otherwise have thought insurmountable. If this were to ultimately encourage readership, it's hard to argue against the idea, but I'd certainly want to see both versions available in e-format.

[Emmanuelle]

Jacquelynn wrote: "Hi Emmanuelle,
I can certainly understand your first paragraph. I was in the same position when writing my first book. It had to be be written, and I've always hoped that others will enjoy my wri..."

Yes, those abridged versions were brought out by particular publishers some time back - from books which must have been in the public domain. Far more interesting to know that a reduced version of a book has been crafted by the original author…

[Jim]

A quick note to any advertising managers out there, I'm perfectly happy to consider product placement in my books.
Already we're negotiating with a major Yak and Gastropod concern...

[Gingerlily - The Full Wild]

Jacquelynn wrote: "If only I knew what a Gastropod was."

Its a very large snail-like creature in one of Jim's books. Good eating, so we are told.

[Jim]

Tastes like chicken

[Jim]

Actually I've just abandoned dignity and any passing genuflections to high art and spent the last three days trying to give away my book by the simple expedient of swamping people with cute cat pictures!