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05/18/2005: "Sheesh--leave for a day and..."

All hell breaks loose!

Seems like people are in a serious uproar over this.

To be honest, I don't get it. The author, Diana Laurence, asks why erotica sucks so much. She's an author of erotica, and she also reads erotica, so it isn't like she's not familiar with the genre. People have suggested that she had an agenda for posting something so inflammatory, and I think someone actually suggested that her publisher put "a gag order" on her.

Maybe she did have an agenda. Maybe she knew exactly what kind of reaction she'd get so she could sell books. Or maybe she wanted a reaction so that the genre she loves would get a kick in the butt and make improvements.

Really, I didn't take offense to her post. Seemed a little tongue-in-cheek to me, and seemed like an author who wants to see the genre she loves be the best it can be. She also didn't say that ALL erotica sucks or that ALL readers are stupid. Basically, I saw it as her speaking out against lazy writing (a problem in all genres) and a move by some authors away from romantic elements by treating sex cheaply. I felt like she was asking readers to hold erotica to a high standard, and that when she mentioned the crack-addict thing, she was saying that people sometimes love certain story elements so much that they are willing to read anything to get it, even if it isn't so great. I understand that. I love vampire movies, and I've watched some real crap in order to get my vampire fix. And by spending money on the vampire crap, I'm encouraging more mediocre crap to be made to fill the demand.

Thing is, the kind of post Diana made isn't new, but it's rare. Why? Because it seems like when an author speaks out against problems in her genre, she gets skewered. And that's what I don't understand.

Then again, the erotica thing isn't one of my hot buttons, like it clearly is for a lot of people. But when one of my hot buttons is pushed, I go ballistic, so I do understand where the people who are upset are coming from, and I'm not saying that they have no right to be angry. Her post was, after all, a bit on the strong side at times, and probably not as clear on her thoughts as it could have been.

But I think the reaction she's getting is exactly what makes it hard to speak openly and honestly about problems in the romance genre. People say to speak up, but when they do...SLAM. Disagreeing is great. Healthy discussion that leads to better things is great. But it seems like some of the commentors in her blog have takent things to almost a violent level.

I dunno. Like I said, I don't get it. Reactions like Diana has had make me scared to voice my opinions, and make me glad I've held back on a lot of occasions.

Replies: 21 brave souls responded

on Wednesday, May 18th, Melinda Jane Harrison said

Well, I read everything, and I don't understand why we, as writers, cannot help each other to be better writers. Morgan Hawke's Enchantment in Crimson has a dedication to me and I always told Morgan the truth, even when I hated something in the book. I'm known for being critical.

If we don't push to make the romance genre better, who will? We are the writers.

It's our responsibility to have open discussions, but we don't.

Janie

on Wednesday, May 18th, Joely said

Larissa, I wasn't offended by the article either. What I don't get is people jumping on both her and her publisher, and saying they'll never buy NAD books again. ?? I just don't get that. It's not personal. You don't want to read it, fine. But don't boycott the entire publisher just because of one author's perfectly legitmate opinion.

I've read some erotica or erotic romance that sucked. Strings of sex scenes with C this and C that. But I've read some good, too, some by yet to be published authors. Readers and writers both should demand better of their genre so we keep growing and pushing the boundaries.

Janie is known as "critical." We don't call her the Witch for nothing! But she tells the truth, even when it's unpleasant. She's sort of my Simon Cowell.

on Wednesday, May 18th, HelenKay said

Good post and thanks for the link. The fact an author can't come out and start a dialog about something she finds lacking in her genre is sad. Seems to me if we keep pretending only great romance and erotica is published out there, we will lose what little credibility we have.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Larissa said

I agree, Melinda. It's nice to have open discussions, but unfortunately, they tend to go bad. It's scary sometimes, and one of the reasons I tend to avoid controversial subjects. Bad Larissa.

Joely--the Simon Cowell thing fits this exactly! He gives an opinion, and people boo, despite the fact that he's been in the music industry for forever and probably knows more about what he's talking about than they do (and no, I'm not saying that Diana knows more--simply that as an insider, she isn't looking at this from the viewpoint of an ultra-conservative who has never read erotica but still bashes it.) Yes, he's abrasive and could be more tactful, and sometimes I just want to slap him, but he's also being honest. When others focus on the positive (nothing wrong with that,) he balances with the negative, which pushes the contestants to do better. How would they ever improve if no one told them what was wrong?

HelenKay -- I agree. I want to see people start dialogues, but I'm as guilty as everyone else who keeps quiet for fear of being tarred, feathered, and burned at the stake of opinion.

I think the problem here is that Diana was just too abrasive in her opinion, and that sent emotions into the stratosphere instead of inviting a calm dialogue. I do understand the outrage and the glass houses thing. But I wonder if she'd been more tactful, if people still would have taken offense?

on Wednesday, May 18th, HelenKay said

Larissa - I agree a little more tact would have been good. She could have made the point without the nasty part. But, I do appreciate her sticking her neck out there. As someone who has gotten hammered - really, absolutely pummeled - for some of the stuff on my blog, I can say it's a tough thing to say things people won't like but, then again, there's always going to be someone who doesn't agree. And, the last time I got cyber-smacked I didn't think I even said anything that controversial. The main blast came about an issue totally unrelated to what I was complaining about. I guess you never know what will set people off.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Cheyenne McCray said

I don't think you should be afraid to voice your opinion. I think the problems come in when the post comes across as all-encompassing rather than saying: the authors who write poorly are hurting the industry's reputation. I think her problem is definitely in the wording. She didn't come off well, IMO, and then she backpeddled which in itself is interesting. When you state your opinion, you should stand by it. And if it's going to be something controversial, run it by someone else first to make sure some of the wording doesn't need to be altered a tad to avoid all together being offensive. I'm not saying for anyone to not express their opinion on a public forum. I'm saying do it with class and take the high road. JMHO.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Larissa said

Chey -- I totally agree; the problem is in the wording, though I wonder if people still wouldn't have gotten riled over the message even if the delivery had been milder or clearer. And that's what scares me about posting opinions. I like to see the other side of arguments, because I really enjoy getting the whole picture, so I don't mind people disagreeing with me. But I don't want to be attacked because I worded something badly or wasn't clear enough.

And what sucks even more about all this is that there are a lot of people who agree with Diana's message (even if they didn't agree with the delivery,) but we won't see anyone post agreement in their blogs because they are afraid they'll be attacked.

So instead of engaging in what could be a productive dialogue about the state of the genre, we're now reduced to discussing how offensive her post was.

I hate that.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Jordan said

I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting the standards in your genre to be high. I also think it's fine to voice your opinion about these things. It's helpful if you follow these opinions up with solutions.

I guess my problem with her post is that she lumps everyone into the same pile and uses her own work as the standard to achieve.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Larissa said

That's a good point, Jordan, and appearing to use her own work as the standard to achieve may be a huge part of why people take offense--the whole glass house thing.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Diana Laurence said

Just found this blog and all the calm, intelligent discussion therein. My faith in humanity is restored! Larissa and everyone, thanks for being sensible, objective and rational...it was a real day-brightener for me to find this!

Diana

on Wednesday, May 18th, Kate said

It was the all-inclusive nature of the post that roused ire. Same thing happened the other day at a conference. The moment someone says "everyone who..." or "We all do this..." they're asking for trouble.

but now that she's backed down (or rather, reworded the point)the mobs out to get her will probably simmer down too. Then again, maybe we'll have to wait for the next one.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Michelle said

I guess I'm not the controversial sort. I like reading a good argument (and I didn't find anything offensive in the post). It's fun to respond with comments, but I dislike it when people go ballistic and start making an opinion a personal war.

on Wednesday, May 18th, Lynn said

Honestly, I think the problem was in the wording. I read the post, and although I agree to a point, my own issue (that I haven't really voiced) is that this is an issue that's not just present in erotica, but in all writing. There are books out there in all genres that some people are going to think should never have been published. You can't please everybody.

I suppose it's just that erotica is such a hot-button issue lately. Truthfully, though, you could probably take the ideas behind her post and apply them to any writing genre.

on Thursday, May 19th, Sasha said

I know everyone already said it but I agree too. I think that everyone is entitled to an opinion. I also have read some bad erotica and erotic romance books, god know's I'm sure I've witten a few bad stories myself. But, i do think her post , as a whole , was too negative, and not constructive at all.

The pionts she wanted to make, could've been made in a better, more constructive way.

JMO.

on Thursday, May 19th, Maili said

Thank you, Larissa.

on Thursday, May 19th, Sharon said

Further proof that I'm obviously not reading the same blogs everyone else is

Good point, Larissa, and I hope it doesn't make you afraid to voice an opinion. You usually have some good ones *g*

on Thursday, May 19th, Daria said

I didn't mind the general issue raised.

What got my panties in a bunch was the obvious suggestion her work was sooooo above all else. As if she held a gold standard for writing erotica. Conceited much?

And you know I'm not even an erotica author, so it's all unrelated.

on Thursday, May 19th, Wendywoo said

Yes, I'm with Daria... It's that 'I am the gold standard' tone that made me see red. Discussion and constructive criticism are good and very healthy. But you just can't say that your own writing is better than other people's *yourself*... or people are going to want to kick your head in!

on Thursday, May 19th, Diana Laurence said

Hi all, I'm back to post a second time. A couple of people made the point here that I was holding up all erotica to my personal standards as if my writing is the measure of what is good. I know a lot of people got that impression from my original article and I think that aspect is what I regret the most. I did come across as pompous, I think. So I apologize for that!

I am only one author, and although I try to write the best I can, it takes all kinds to make a genre. There are readers who will never enjoy my books because they like a different sort of writing. Taste is a personal thing, and everyone is entitled to their own. I certainly don't purport to be the best romance or erotica author--I only meant to say I have standards of quality and think all authors and publishers should too. There are many, many authors out there as good or better than I am, and I'm glad that's true so that the needs of all kinds of readers can be met.

Anyway I hope this clears up where I'm coming from a little bit. To anyone who bashed me for sounding arrogant, your point was well taken and I will be more careful in the future to better demonstrate my respect. Guys, I was just really P-O'd and let my anger rule the day...like I said in the original blog, normally I'm a MUCH more positive person!

Diana

on Thursday, May 19th, Cece said

I'm not registered so it wouldn't let me leave a comment over there. Larissa thanks for posting the link. I agree on the delivery (could have used a bit of tweaking ) but I also agree w/a lot of what Diana had to say and her post above. I took her post in a general sense, not an elitist sense at all. I have standards (God knows I'm not perfect but I have VERY high standards for myself and my CP's), you have them, we all do, but not everyone's standards are the same and a lot of crappy books (of MANY genres) get published. Sad but true. I sincerely wish reviewers would be more honest, then maybe fewer crap books would get put out there. (and NO i'm not laying this completely at the reviewers door).

on Friday, May 20th, Larissa said

Thanks for responding, everyone! And for responding calmly. I was a little nervous for a while!

I hope things have settled down, and maybe now people can take a look at the romance genre as a whole and see what we can do to make it as great as it can be.