Given my genre of choice, I've grown rather accustomed to raised eyebrows, wrinkled noses, and other reactions borne of surprise and distaste. Occupational hazard. Sometimes it's even entertaining, especially if someone has the mistaken impression that I am sweet, innocent, naive, or some other ridiculous thing. Once in a while, though, someone will react in a way that shocks me.
Many people comment that they want to read my books when they come out, and I will often advise them of the genre, since I know that a lot of people aren't interested in it and may even be offended by it. Conversations usually proceed thusly:
Them: I want to read your book when it comes out!
Me: Okay, but just so you know, it's romance. You know, on that end of the romance spectrum.
Them: Oh...hmm...not really my cup of tea. (or) Cool! I definitely want to read it now!
See? No harm, no foul either way.
Today, I visited with several old friends and had the above conversation with a few of them. Some were interested, some politely declined because it's not their thing. Again, no harm, no foul.
One, however, set my teeth on edge:
Them: I want to read your book when it comes out!
Me: Okay, but just so you know, it's romance. You know, on that end of the romance spectrum.
Them: *wrinkling nose* Oh, nevermind then. I don't read that garbage. (followed by a more or less pleasant expression as if they hadn't said anything remotely offensive)
I beg your pardon?
Look, I know not everyone likes my genre, and I'm cool with that, but how rude! If you decide my book is not your thing because you're not interested in the genre, fine, but don't write it off as garbage unless you've read it first. Judge it on its own merits, not just the prevalence of those scenes (tm). And for that matter, how does sex automatically equal garbage? I have ranted in the past on one of my other blogs about why I write this kind of material (such as this entry), so I won't repeat it all here. The bottom line is simply that it irritates me that someone is willing to openly and unabashedly judge my writing as garbage simply because there are naughty bits.
Personally, I find rudeness more offensive than sex, but that's just me.
/RANT
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Hemingway bashed Tolkien. Thicken that skin, there will always be someone to criticize. Ignore them and focus on your fans who are taking cold showers.
ReplyDeleteYou're a better person that me, Lori. Blood would have flowed. Especially if it was a friend.
ReplyDeleteThey need to sit down with one of your works and read it before they comment. :)
Luvs ya,
Adam
That "friend" was rude and out of line. There's no excuse for being rude. It shows their lack of manners and sophistication that they would say something like that to you.
ReplyDeleteDiana
It's not so much a lack of thick skin (I can handle criticism), it's the rudeness that put me off. I mean, really, who just says stuff like that to someone's face? If someone reads my book and thinks it's crap, bring it on. But the way it happened was really a slap in the face.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was all I could do not to slap HER in the face...
I'll go one further then. Suppose that person really think hotsy romances ARE garbage, regardless of how they're written or by whom. Is it still out of line? I understand your personal feelings, and they're worthy of validation, but...there's always a damned but.
ReplyDeleteOf course it was rude, but not all people have a well developed ass-o-meter. I still think it's best to let the comment exist without personal attachment.
Teh not so awesome sauce happens. *wink*
ReplyDeleteGarbage? I know this is nothing shocking to any of us here who are, you know, writers. Of any genre. But WHYYYYY do people hate sex so much? Why is it auto-assumed that if you write anything with sex in it, it's trashy?
ReplyDeleteJeeze! Gimme a break! NONE OF YOU WOULD BE HERE SCORNING ROMANCE NOVELS IF NOT FOR THAT GARBAGITUDINOUS ACT ON THE PART OF YOUR PARENTS.
Yes, I invented a word. And no, that "you" was not directed at your blog readers. Just stupid people.