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An Author Has A Beef With Me Over My Story Courage
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The Fitwryter says:
This from another Gail...
I, too am sick (yea, unto death!) of the too cutesy "cherishing" names. If you don't speak the language, do some research. Or better yet, don't keep recycling the weary stuff.
And Arch, as a woman of color and a writer, I can sincerely say that I have never wanted to be anyone's chocolate fantasy and actually consider that kind of thinking as rather condescending (to say the least). Unless this woman is a factor in uniting warring kingdoms and her race is a pivotal factor, why can't this woman simply be a woman? Why has she got to be a chocolate, coffee, caramel anything? Aren't there other things that distinguish her from all of the other women this prince has known? Isn't there something about her that makes her worthy of loving and spending a lifetime with? Aren't there other factors and ethnic aesthetics that make her more than just a chocolaty treat? Is the man just Koo-koo for cocoa puffs? This would diminish him in my eyes.
I apologize for going off on a tangent, but as a writer of contemporary African-American romance, I know that these characters can be brought more fully to life, and that their romance (or even a booty call) should be brought forth and made more multi-dimensionsional. I would like to take this opportunity to challenge you to humanize this character and make her more than a colorful object in your story. If you can do this, I promise that I will not only buy your book, I will make it one of my "Keepers".
Gail McFarland
DREAM RUNNER
DREAM KEEPER
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What are you talking about?
As a writer, I write for myself. I will never write for anyone else. I will never ask anyone to like what I write.
My characters belongs to me and I will write them the way I see fit. I'm not forcing anyone to read my work.
There are so many other stories to read. Why have a fit over my story?
If you have a beef with me, we are on Goodreads, approach me there or if you are going to come on here to put a light on me, then be woman enough to tell me who you are on Goodreads.
Worry about your stories and what you write. Do you dare to tell me what's the name of your books? Maybe not, because they might be erotic books and you know I will never read them.
Don't come at me that way. I am truly not the one to play with.
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I am use to people coming at me stupid. It never fails that someone hate on me for something.
Parris isn't fascinated with Chocolate, because of her skin color.
Parris calls Chocolate, his chocolate princess and it's not because of her skin color. Her name is Chocolate.
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Danielle, I don't let people stop me from writing.
This is the thread.
http://www.amazon.com/tag/romance/for...
I will post the next thing she told me.
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In reply to your post on Dec 19, 2009 10:56 AM PST
The Fitwryter says:
Arch,
Not trying to start a fight, or censor you in any way. Just offering an opinion. Don't know what your experiences have been, but I try to remain open as a reader, and a writer. Not having a "fit" over your story, again, just offering an opinion. I also signed my remarks with my real name, and use that same name on GoodReads.
Gail McFarland
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I agree, that's no reason for any personal attacks and that was uncalled for. :-/ There's nothing at all offensive or trivializing about the story or characters. It seems like she just looked at the names then stopped reading.
(Just saw the forum via the link and, whoa, her post came out of nowhere)
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Maybe so and if she does, she has to live with her feelings.
She writes black romance and I write interracial romance. I will never tell a person how to write their story.
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Arch, we love you here. We're not even paying attention to that kind of hating. Big hug!
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Gail doesn't know me and she clearly doesn't know anything about Parris or Chocolate.
Yes, Parris sees Chocolate as a beautiful black woman and yes, just as other black women, Chocolate comes in a certain shade, but her skin color doesn't have anything to do with the fact that Parris is in love with her.
I have not made my story about race.
He calls her his chocolate princess, because of her name.
A lot of black men call their woman their queen. Even Sam, who is white called Alyssa, his queen.
Queen is another way of seeing a black woman. Which, to me all women are suppose to be a queen.
Parris was always fascinated by Chocolate's name. Everytime he sees anything chocolate, he thinks about her.
I wished that Gail would have came to me in private and better yet, read my story, before she tried to attack my story and try to point a light on me on Amazon.
She writes black romance. I could be wrong, but I think that even her black heroes see the heroine as a queen.
I'm going back to my next installment.
Arch, to be fair, you volunteered information about your characters in a public forum, so it's not completely out of left field that someone might criticize. It wasn't really personal. Yes, it was a little aggressive, but it's more understandable in context. Another user had posted that she wanted authors to use different shorthand for black women besides "caramel queen." She said authors should also try "espresso queen," "chocolate queen." Then you said that your character calls his woman his "chocolate princess."
Gail suggested that black women should not be essentialized to their skin color. She probably could have phrased it differently.
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New_User, have you taken the time out to read my story? If you have, you wouldn't be coming on here replying that it's basically my fault for Gail coming at me the way that she has.
How many time, must I state that Parris didn't call Chocolate, his chocolate princess, because of her skin color.
What if I have named my heroine Raisin and Parris called her his Raisin Brand. We all know that the cereal is brown. Would you have a problem, if I've stated that Parris called the heroine his Raisin Brand?
Regardless, of who doesn't like it. Chocolate is Parris' chocolate princess.
New_User, Gail might be a friend of yours and to be honest, I don't care. Maybe that's why you aren't seeing anything wrong with what she has done.
For your information New_User, Chocolate is not the color of chocolate. She's the color of light brown sugar.
Chocolate and light brown sugar aren't the same color. Now correct me if I am wrong.
Arch, I've never met Gail before. I haven't read your story. I'm saying that someone could be put off knowing about his nick "chocolate princess" for her if they haven't read the story.
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It's just a nickname for the character. She should have took the time to read the story before judging and confronting Arch on a public forum in such a manner. She put her foot in her mouth, when she should have just talked to Arch on a private basis. You are correct that you do run the risk of being confronted by people, but that doesn't mean that it was correct for her to do what she did. It was offensive, in my opinion.
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I'm sorry for coming at you strong in my previous reply.
I'm not trying to be ugly or anything, but I speak my mind to strangers and even people that I converse with regularly.
I feel that before anyone can voice their opinion in regards to my story, they should ask questions.
Gail didn't read my story, yet she'd gone on Amazon to make it seem as if she read my story and that I wrote Chocolate as an empty character. She wanted people to believe that I didn't humanized Chocolate.
Have you read where she challenged me to humanize Chocolate?
Every character that I write about, I humanize them.
I have never read her black romance books, but I would be wrong to say that Gail doesn't humanize her characters.
Gail was wrong for her action.
Yeah, I can see where you're coming from, Arch. There were some judgments made about your story that shouldn't have been made without reading it.
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Well said, Eugenia. :-)
Where she stepped out of line is trying to tell you how you should craft your stories. As a complete stranger (not a Amazon buddy or a critic partner for eg) it's hard to "challenge" you to do something without it coming off as rude. She seems to want to imply that she knows a lot more about the writing process than you do. That's rather presumptuous and arrogant of her. Otherwise, as she said she's stating her opinion and wrong or not she's entitled to it.
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Davina, I am not denying that Gail isn't entitled to her opinion. You know that I am a firm believer in people standing tall on their opinion, because you know that I stand tall on my opinion and I don't back down from my opinion for anyone.
Fact: Gail didn't read my story.
She shouldn't have thrown out her opinion about my story, without reading it.
I wouldn't dare throw out an opinion about her characters, because I have never read her books.
You've read my story or at least some of it Davina. Can you honestly tell me that I have not humanized Chocolate?
Gail is an author. She has written some books. She writes black romance books.
I may not be an author. I honestly don't desire to be published, but I do know how to write and tell a story.
Arch,You're a writer, period. And those who have been fortunate enough to have been published should remember from whence they came.
You have unique voice and writing style that is all your own. Don't let anyone steal your joy and devalue your work. It's just one person opinion.
The truth is not everyone is going to like everything you write. But never let that hinder you or get in the way of doing what you love and sharing your gift with others.
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You're a writer, period. And those who have been fortunate enough to have been published should remember from whence they came.
You have unique voice and writing style that is all your own..."
Thanks Brenda.
I will never let anyone turn me away from my talent.
God is the only one that can stop me from writing.
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I almost let someone stop me from writing. She was someone whose opinion really mattered, and she said what I was writing was unworthy and fluff. I didn't write for about two years, but I started writing again. I write stories that have hope and show that love conquers all, regardless of the genre. On the horror group, someone said that horror has to have evil winning. I disagree with that very strongly. Evil cannot win. I'd never write that kind of story. Writing is an urge that comes deep out of a writer's soul. No one should have the right to destroy or hinder that urge.
Arch wrote: "Davina wrote: "Where she stepped out of line is trying to tell you how you should craft your stories. As a complete stranger (not a Amazon buddy or a critic partner for eg) it's hard to "challenge"..."Hey Arch, yes, I've read your story and I quite enjoyed it. I may not have made any comments, but I've read most of the stories posted by various individuals. I can not see where you "dehumanized" (jeez that's such a strong word!) Chocolate in the least. Some people are just a tad too sensitive about certain things, it seems. Gail needs to realise that there's room for all types of writers, all types of stories. Everyone doesn't have to conform to the same ideals. And its unrealistic to expect that everyone will always write a story to one's liking.
As I said, her opinion is her own, Arch. Just let it roll off your back. Doesn't have anything to do with you really. Continue doing your thing and to hell with the Gails of the world. The woman needs to eat some humble pie, its Christmas after all.
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I don't mind anyone hating my work. That's their hate. They have to live with it. That's why I don't write for people, I write for myself.
I truly believe that when a writer writes for people, he or she doesn't own their creativity. The people does. The people will tell them, how to write, when to write and what to write. I don't think so!
Correct me if I am wrong, but while you were on your writing hiatus - writing was calling your name, right?
Writing is not all writers talent, just as singing is not all singers talent. Everyone can sing, but everyone can't carry a note. Everyone can write, but everyone can't tell a story.
In other words, a person with true eyes will always be able to see talent.
Danielle you have talent.
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I agree with you, that your writing loses power when you cater to what other people want from you as a writer. You have to be true to your creative urges. That doesn't guarantee success in the writing market, but at least you can be proud of your efforts.
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Harper Lee is one of my favorite authors. She only published one book. I can't wrap my mind around that.
Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Being a bestselling author isn't necessarily about distinguishing who is a good and bad author. Neither is writing a writing award. There are authors out there who are incredible writers, and write..."Danielle, some author's only have one good book in them. I agree with your point regarding best selling authors. I'm sure we could start really interesting discussion on authors who seem to writing the same book over and over again.
Arch wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Arch,You're a writer, period. And those who have been fortunate enough to have been published should remember from whence they came.
You have unique voice and writing style t..."
Amen
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As I said, her opinion is her own, Arch. Just let it roll off your back. Doesn't have anything to do with you really. Continue doing your thing and to hell with the Gails of the world. The woman needs to eat some humble pie, its Christmas after all. "
Thanks Davina.
Gail is history.
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I see what you mean. It's just kind of sad at the same time, that there are no more Harper Lee books. Just the one fantastic one!
"I've been reading a lot of interacial romances lately. I'm really beginning to hate the term " my Caramel Queen." Hello how about my Expresso Queen or my turkish coffee Queen, or my chocolate queen. We come in more colors than caramel. Also I hate "little one". Whenever the hero said's this I envision a three year old instead of a grown woman."Arch, is this Gayle's post you're referring to? I don't think she was singling you out, and I don't believe she knew anything about your story. This term has been overly used in interracial books, and it isn't the first time I've heard this complaint from readers.
But on the other side, I stopped going to Amazon Romance threads because it seems like all these chicks do on there is complain about authors and their writing. They don't like this, don't like that. Even above, Gayle goes on that she doesn't like "little one." Then there are other chicks complaining they don't like the same old names and others complaining they don't like made up names they can't pronounce. Well, stop being lazy and break the name down and TRY to pronounce it or come up with your own. There's no making these women happy.
I agree, just write for yourself. If a man wants to call the heroine his Chocolate Queen, I doubt I'll drop the book. If anyone ever wrote a book about me and my husband, they'd complain "I hate how she always calls him 'Babe.'"
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Chaeya,
Gail referred to me by name. She was talking about my story, which she hasn't read. She was telling me to humanized my heroine - Chocolate.
Anyone that has read my story can boldly state that I have humanized Chocolate.
Oops, for some reason I accidentally scrolled by your initial post. I found her post. What's funny is how she found your story which is up on Goodreads, but claims she couldn't find you. That's doesn't make sense, and she knew your name.
All I can say is as hard as writing is, as an author, I really don't have time to be challenging other people in what they write. I think that was wrong of her to come off at you the way she did, no matter how well-meaning she thought she was being. It was rude. You're right, she probably read a small part and found the line and decided to complain about it.
You can't judge an entire book simply because you open it up and see some quirky little line or term of endearment. I personally see nothing wrong in being some man's "chocolate thunder," ha ha. We gotta have fun and play sometimes, even if our stories our serious.
Never mind her. Do your thing. I think you told her what you needed to tell her. Oh, and I did a search and I found you.
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I heard that. Henceforth, I am celebrating my humanism by being referred to as "Carmel Latte Thunder."
I've not too long ago, checked my email and seen one of the topics that I am following on Amazon. This is what a member said to me. I wish the person was woman enough and approached me on Goodreads. She could have sent me a message, but instead, she tried to point a light on me on Amazon.