Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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Writing Questions for Josh
Is it okay to add your own book to a List in Goodreads?
Tui wrote: "Is it okay to add your own book to a List in Goodreads?"I think the Goodreads Feedback Group is a better place to ask such questions. We're no experts here, sorry.
Bandagealder wrote: "So I was looking at the JR Ward Facebook page and her entry yesterday has her asking readers if the word "cracker" is too offensive. She's asking because in a previous book she used a word she was ..."I saw that too, but I took as more of an opportunity for her to open up a discussion. She is a mainstream author, I don't know how careful she has to be with her publisher, etc.
I'm just really happy with her right now, her initial talk was of Blay & Qhuinn's book to be a novella so people who might find m/m offensive could skip it and still continue on with the series, and instead she has finsihed it and it is a definite part of the series, and is almost as long as Lover Reborn. Hopefully she will deliver on the sex scenes and not skimp out on us!
I think the Goodreads Feedback Group is a better place to ask such questions. We're no experts here, sorry."Thanks for that suggestion Calathea. I'll try that.
Jordan wrote: "Yesterday I banged out 4,500 words! Today, 3K! Let's see if I can keep this up. I've got 8K to write by Friday. So we're getting there. Woot. "Ooo! Go you! :D
The sand timer sounds fun. Never thought of that!
Tui wrote: "Is it okay to add your own book to a List in Goodreads?"Authors add their own books to Listopia lists all the time. It only bothers me if they only add their own books. I feel like they ought to be contributing to the list as readers as well.
Mod
Alternatively, you can start a new list, esp. if you can't find one that matches the parameters you want.
I'm probably very bad with lists... I don't put books on them and I don't vote either... I don't know why, but... it's just not my thing.
I keep feeling I shouldn't add my book, keep wondering if I put it in the correct category, etc, etc, etc.
Who knows... I might grow over that at some point
Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "Josh wrote: "So I keep circling back to...can I still write? Intellectually I know I can. But...can I really?"This refrain has been rolling through my mind for months...."
I think every author goes through these periods of self-doubt and plot lag, but those are the times when I'll switch gears and write a quick short story or even some fanfiction to pull out the dusty carpet and beat it back into shape. Then I can return to the greater story with more ease.
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Hmm. My experience is romance readers are a little more sensitive than mainstream fiction readers. I was taken aback when a year or so ago a couple of readers--including someone I had considered a friend--freaked out over the single use of the N-word in A Dangerous Thing.
It was startling because in an entire decade no one had (at least publicly) objected to the use of the word -- the word is spoken by a bigoted red-necked sheriff, and the theme of the book is largely about prejudice and preconceived ideas.
But the rules regarding language, violence, and happy endings are very different for mystery writing than they are for romance writing -- the flip side of that is how narrow-minded the mystery community is about sex and eroticism.
So I can see if Ward was on the receiving end of one of those extreme reactions, she might wonder just how widespread the attitude is amongst her fan base.
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I've published a book in both e-version and print and it has done extremely well in that it h..."
Sorry. I don't have an answer for you. (Speaking as someone who had their librarian status revoked for accidentally altering editions.) ;-D
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Yes. Just from an academic standpoint, it's fascinating to watch this effort evolve!
Bandagealder wrote: "So I was looking at the JR Ward Facebook page and her entry yesterday has her asking readers if the word "cracker" is too offensive. She's asking because in a previous book she used a word she was not aware was offensive and in later editions the word was deleted.My initial reaction was: a) So she's censoring herself because she might offend.
b) She's an author. Telling a story. About flawed characters. Shouldn't she be AWARE of the context, the definition of any word she uses?
c) sounds like she's asking permission."
This is highly ironic given that there's a curse word on almost every page I listened to in Lover Reborn. Since I don't have a hard copy, I'm not certain how many times the Saxon word (bka the "F" word) is used in the text in some way, shape or form, but my ears were certainly burning by the time I finished listening to it on Saturday last. Not to mention what her characters call or think about various objects such as shoes, doors and other people ...
Looking up the word "cracker" on Urban Dictionary is certainly an eye opener, however. I've never heard this term before. For me a cracker is a dry piece of flat bread that tastes good with butter. But, what do I know? :0)
My gut feeling was disappointment. Language has and will always be a powerful tool in any media. I've always been hesitant when it comes to social media and this JR Ward entry is an example. Suddenly I wondered, How much do I really want to know about an author? There's something about the way she talks about herself that is off-putting.
Channing Tatum is my kryptonite. In the interest of full disclosure, I cried like a little b*tch at Dear John- in spite of the fact that 1) I hate chick movies, esp. tearjerkers; 2) I'm not really into heavy emotion
It makes me wonder how she must view gender differences and...weakness and strength and being "hard."
Mod
This is the perilous part of social media because it can easily work out that readers who like your writer voice don't like your YOU voice.
But then I also sometimes think some writers adopt a stagy kind of writer persona voice, a blog voice, so sometimes that's the trouble. Trying too hard to sound like what you imagine people who read your books think you should sound like.
If that makes sense.
Josh wrote: "Bandagealder wrote: "My gut feeling was disappointment. Language has and will always be a powerful tool in any media. I've always been hesitant when it comes to social media and this JR Ward entry ..."Makes sense to me. Maybe that is what is bugging me. What comes out of these entries is, Trying to be cool, hip, a buddy, instead of being a professional author. It's a gamble.
On the other side, I'm sure there are plenty of readers who love it.
Bandagealder wrote: "It makes me wonder how she must view gender differences and...weakness and strength and being "hard." ..."I find it interesting that her strongest female character is the one most criticized, I think it is hard for writers and they will never please everyone. We get to choose if we want to read there books.
Josh- can publishers dictate whether you can use certain offensive words or not?
I'm not much inclined to question the decisions made by authors like J. R. Ward and LKH -- or any writers in their league. When I'm as rich and popular as they are, then I'll question their decisions.Of course, I can still dislike their books.
As if that matters. ;-)
Josh wrote: "This is the perilous part of social media because it can easily work out that readers who like your writer voice don't like your YOU voice. But then I also sometimes think some writers adopt a stagy kind of writer persona voice, a blog voice, so sometimes that's the trouble. Trying too hard to sound like what you imagine people who read your books think you should sound like.
If that makes sense. ..."
There's a couple of writers out there that sound just a little bit crazy. I don't know if they're trying too hard to be accessible or if it's more that they lack a filter when it comes to deciding what to post on various social media. Either way, their YOU voice has made me reluctant to buy their books.
The thing is, Pender, if they've made it into the Big Time, they can have any voice they want and not suffer for it. Success provides its own insulation against repercussions.
K.Z. wrote: "I'm not much inclined to question the decisions made by authors like J. R. Ward and LKH -- or any writers in their league. When I'm as rich and popular as they are, then I'll question their decisio..."It matters to you, right, then you don't have to read books you dislike :)
I have learned that I can't expect authors to write their books the way I like them to be however much that would be best for everybody ;), but I can dislike books and not buy them. And I really don't think quality and earning a lot of money necessarily are the same thing. But I am just a reader, so what do I know about it ...?
I did manage to get hooked on the BDB books, more or less against my will, it is like an addiction, I need my next fix even though there are parts in there that make me cringe. But then there are parts I really like too. The Anita Blake stories I have never tried so I am free for that particular vice at least.
BDB is the reason I started reading m/m, now oddly I don't even like to read m/f as much anymore, so I will always be thankful :)
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..."
Yes. Most definitely. I think that was part of my bewilderment in my own particular case. The book had been around forever and had been through three publishers and no one had ever previously suggested that I was a racist or that the use of the word was gratuitous or calculated.
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True. Then again, I think we can question it because we writers all look at what the big dogs do in hopes of seeing how much of it will work for us.
I certainly watch what other writers do to promote themselves.
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..."
Yes. Clearly.
Or maybe they love the books inspite of the generic blog voice. I do think it's useful for writers to remember that mostly readers come to us AFTER they've discovered the work.
At least that's my theory. I guess we could do an unscientific polling. How many readers here discovered me through my writing and how many discovered me through my online social media presence?
Josh wrote: "(Speaking as someone who had their librarian status revoked for accidentally altering editions.)"I didn't even know this was possible! (Either accidentally altering editions or having librarian status revoked.) 0.o
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..."
Yeah. I think we keep coming back to the problem of writers as social media animals. Very often NOT a good fit.
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WILL AIDEN FIND TRUE WUV WITH CLOSETED JACK?!
Ugh. It just shrieks amateur hour to me.
Josh wrote: "How many readers here discovered me through my writing and how many discovered me through my online social media presence? "Your writing. And your writing has kept me reading your writing.
But, your online social media presence has given me a reason (and a means) to jabber about you to my reader/writer friends.
Also, I love your YOU voice, so your online presence has not turned me off of your books. I think some writers, on the other hand, should keep themselves to themselves and just...focus on writing fiction and NOT blog. I dearly love some of Orson Scott Card's books, but I'll be damned if I buy another by him. He had an online meltdown after the election, and no matter who I voted for, the kind of hate he spewed was just...terrible. Terrible and unprofessional--NO author should have a tantrum online like that. And the thing is, stuff you post online floats around in the ether forever.
Orson Scott Card being a raging homophobe certainly means I'm not going to read any more of his books... same with Anne McCaffrey. Damn, my favourite authors while I grew up just committed serious hara-kiri in public in terms of my respect and love. :(
Mod
I didn't even know this was possible! (Either accidentally altering editions or havin..."
Do not get me started on that topic. As if the root of the problem wasn't Goodreads and the lack of meaningful and clear direction! Yeesh.
Aleksandr wrote: "Orson Scott Card being a raging homophobe certainly means I'm not going to read any more of his books... same with Anne McCaffrey. Damn, my favourite authors while I grew up just committed serious ..."Anne McCaffrey, too??? #dies
Josh wrote: "Bandagealder wrote: "On the other side, I'm sure there are plenty of readers who love it. ..."
Yes. Clearly.
Or maybe they love the books inspite of the generic blog voice. I do think it's usefu..."
Through your writing. And I continue to read because of the writing. I might have stayed at this site and had "conversations" despite the writing because it is such a nice place to be, but my buying and reading of your books has definitely to do with how you write and what you write about.
Mod
I think if more writers understood this they would spend more time on craft and less making asses of themselves in public.
But that's just a theory. Let the votes roll on! ;-)
K.Z. wrote: "The thing is, Pender, if they've made it into the Big Time, they can have any voice they want and not suffer for it. Success provides its own insulation against repercussions."Sad, but true. Celebrities get away with all sorts of behavior.
Christine wrote: "He had an online meltdown after the election"Oooo, did he? I'll have to go look....
Aleksandr wrote: "same with Anne McCaffrey. ..."?? 1. she's dead; and 2. a good number of her dragonrider secondary characters were gay (or bi), even if very quietly...
Mod
..."
Yes. Clearly.
Or maybe they love the books inspite of the generic blog voice. I do think it's usefu..."
I found your books first. In fact, I started with the novellas collections in print because to start anywhere else seemed daunting with all the choices! It wasn't until I got on GoodReads just before Christmas of last year... uh, year before that (my how does time fly?) that I found you online. But then, I'm not a social media maven at all.
You've got a great personality online, which helps a lot to keep me (and others too, I'm assuming) interested in what's going on and what's coming out for future books. But even if I didn't know you online, I'd still be reading your new material.
The exact same thing can be said for JCP. I found her Psycop series first, then her monthly newsletter and yahoo group.
Aleksandr Voinov I might have found online in these forums first before I read Special Forces Soldiers. And everyone in my crit group I met online here before I'd read their work, even if they were previously published. Otherwise, they're the few exceptions to the rule.
I read the work first, and depending on how much I liked it, I might go looking for blogs and such, but I still don't have much time for that kind of thing, so you've really got to wow me with your work if you want me to read other things too.
Mod
http://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Tent_Peg_..."
That's not even standard generational wackiness. That is plain and simple nutjob.
Aleksandr wrote: "Plainbrownwrapper - Check this quote:http://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Tent_Peg_..."
Hmm, she doesn't sound so much a homophobe as just...really misinformed? I just don't get from that quote that she hates gay men. I'm trying to imagine why, if she was a homophobe, she'd make a great number of riders gay or bi?
I did a quick Google search, and at least that is the only public quote I can find by her on the subject. I figure everyone's got something inside of them better left kept inside. My problem with Card is that he just spews it all over the place, which makes me think that he has a terrible character and little sense.
Aleksandr wrote: "Plainbrownwrapper - Check this quote:http://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Tent_Peg_..."
But maybe I don't understand the word "homophobe." Does it mean that you're afraid of homosexuality, or afraid of homosexual people? Or both?
Aleksandr wrote: "Plainbrownwrapper - Check this quote:http://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Tent_Peg_..."
Ohhh, I remember that now.
1. She said that 20 years ago, not recently.
2. I believe she recanted that statement between the 90s and her death last year. If I happen across her disavowal, I'll post it here.
3. Nowhere does she say anything about homosexuality being "evil", in any case. Her statement is simply nutty about the origins of some homosexuals.
I became a fan of your work first, but enjoy that you interact with your fans. I feel like we need to not be so harsh to these authors, at least they are putting themselves out there. Not all authors, celebrities, etc bother to take the time to interact with fans. Just my opinion :)
Plainbrownwrapper wrote: "Christine wrote: "He had an online meltdown after the election"Oooo, did he? I'll have to go look...."
Ooooo, I found that diatribe. He really did go around the bend there, didn't he?
I feel really bad about him -- he was my favorite author for years, back in the 80s and 90s.....
Mod
http://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Tent_Peg_..."
*gulp* I had no idea. Wow. What a statement to make. Especially if the person she's talking about is real. He probably died when that statement came out.
That was a series I wanted to get into when I was younger, but I couldn't figure out which book to start with and at that point the series was already pretty large as I recall so that combination kept me away.
I definitely lacked gay characters growing up. *sigh* at least I can say I knew this series existed, even if I didn't know there were "gay" characters in it.
Mod
But for some authors interaction with fans is just not a thing they can do, either because they happen to be shy and/or just don't like interacting with people they don't know. Or, for some, once you become famous, or even if you're not, you tend to attract the crazy people who would want to harm you for whatever reason, or buddy up to you to to get your money. Dean Koontz is a candidate for most of what I just said. He's an internal person, and has attracted weird people who only want to befriend him for his money and the use of his summer house on the beach.
So, not all authors can easily get out there and start talking one on one with readers. Heck, with Dean Koontz, you have to snail mail him a letter. Though he will respond. But he doesn't do online social media.
Christine wrote: "But maybe I don't understand the word "homophobe." Does it mean that you're afraid of homosexuality, or afraid of homosexual people? Or both? "
Yes. ;-)
McCaffrey wrote about a lot of her homosexual characters doing heroic things -- even if their homosexuality was strenuously downplayed for the sake of the books' "ratings" (read by lots of kids and YAs during a period when that wouldn't have been acceptable by mainstream publishers and such), so I don't think it's possible to say that she was homophobic. Homo-dumbic, maybe, but personally I can't hate her for that.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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My initial reaction was: a) So she's censoring herself because she might offend.
b) She's an author. Telling a story. About flawed characters. Shouldn't she be AWARE of the context, the definition of any word she uses?
c) sounds like she's asking permission.