Darla wants to play...

[saucyirishlass.livejournal.com]

Darla decided to join in the "Re: Author tells fans to go away" thread on Amazon. I've left my response, which is the same as I would say to any other member on that board. She doesn't get special treatment just because she's Laurita's minion personal assistant. I felt the need to suggest that she consider not using Jon as an editor. Was I overstepping my bounds?



"Some people got the point, others did not.
Laurell has never objected to critisism. But there is simply no way to please everyone. What one person likes, another hates. So critisism is relevant mostly to the person making it!

The original blog was in response to emails from people who said they found the sex or violence outside their comfort zone. Or that they liked static characters who did not change much from book to book. Or those that seemed to believe that they could threaten or intimidate Laurell and other fans in to sharing their opinion. Sorry, the world does not work that way. Not everyone enjoys the same thing. The fact that a vocal minority seems to think they can force what they want is just wrong. We heard from lots of fans who wanted Laurell to speak up and say something to defend herself and them. So she did. And other people too offense.

Should we be bold enough to suggest you stop reading, if you weren't enjoying the books, then the complaints flew that we were telling folks what they could and could not read.

Book writing is a solitary practice. At least the way Laurell does it. She does not collaborate. Her books are not written by committee.

There is simply no way to satisfy everyone. Make everyone happy. So for those who are not happy, then all we can suggest is that you do find a writer who makes you happy. It doesn't mean your wrong to not like Merry or Anita. It just means it is not what you want to read. That is fine. If it is not for you, then it is not for you. But, at the same time, if it is not for you, you do not get to impose on, intimidate or harrass other people who do not share your opinion.

Why is that so hard for some folks to get?"

I don't know. Why is it so hard for Laurell to write a book with plot?

URL: http://www.amazon.com/gp/discussionboard/cd/discussion.html/ref=cm_cd_ef_tft_tp/102-5715013-4957731?ie=UTF8&cdForum=Fx1OFHYU31CK06W&cdAnchor=0425217248&cdThread=Tx3KX37WDADL1BH

Comments

[karmyn75.livejournal.com]

I read this and I hear "blah, blah, blah, blah, jealous haters, blah, blah, blah, we are right, blah, blah, blah."
A vocal minority can't change things? Isn't that how it happens? American Revolution. Vocal minority overthrows the most powerful empire of the time and creates a new nation. Emancipation. Vocal minority speaks up against a wrong and has President free the slaves. Civil Rights Movement. A vocal minority challenges the status quo and gains their rights. Texas Revolution. Vocal minority challenges a powerful nation with an army that out mans them by thousands, suffers horrible set backs, but in the end wins their freedom.
A vocal minority making a lot of noise about their cause is how things get done here in the real world. I could come up with plenty of examples other than the ones I listed, but I have other things to do. So here's a great big wet raspberry to you, Darla.

[world-of-eos.livejournal.com]

. . . okay. I can see the point you're making, but please don't compare bitching about LKH to the American Revolution or the Civil Rights movement.

[tybalt-quin.livejournal.com]

Laurell may not object to criticism, but she sure as hell is quick to dismiss it.

The irony is that for a character who spends most of her time in the shower or on her back, Anita has been remarkably static as a character for the last 6 books (at least). For all the nookie and angst, she doesn't seem to learn from her mistakes, she doesn't grow in her own right and the plots go around in circles.

Personally, I object to Laurell and to her poodle's suggestion that anyone who's vocal in opposing the books is imposing, intimidating or harrassing those who do like them. That whole "if you're not with us, you're against us" thing is so junior school that you wonder if the two of them are entering their second childhood.

[spoiled-saint.livejournal.com]

You gotta love that nothing of the content of the main objections is adressed - per usual Not one word of plot, grammar, spelling, editing. Only veiled accusetions, and a neat little attempt to shift blame once again. So LKH wasn`t insulting us, no, she was refering to some other group, that actually *was* small minded, easily freaked out, and prudish. So now we have the "true fans", the "not so true but merely confused ex-fans" (that would be us), and the the "small-minded haters". I`m starting to feel bad fot the "small-minded haters" now... poor people, they have to pick up the load that`s been magnanimously lifted off our shoulders.

[baeraad.livejournal.com]

She does realise that there's middle ground between wanting characters to be "static" and not wanting them to suddenly go insane (if Anita stops liking them) or turn into fluffy teddy bears with emotional scars in need of sexual healing (if Anita starts liking them), right? Right?

[baeraad.livejournal.com]

I meant to say a difference. A difference between those things, not middle ground. Stupid me. ^_^;

[amamelina.livejournal.com]

*fangirl squeal* Icon love!

[delphinapterus.livejournal.com]

Well aside from missing the point that there is a happy balance between a static character and one who changes, isn't it a little odd that Anita had more development before the arduer yet that's not considered to be something that made people happy.

Good to know Laurell doesn't write by committee - why would anyone think that in the first place is what I'd like to know?

[spoiled-saint.livejournal.com]

No, see, it`s like this: listening to what a group of people - the fans - wants and actually taking it under consideration would be writing by committee. Which would be very bad - we might disagree with her "vision". Or... want to share in the dubious laurels.

[jadelioness.livejournal.com]

Did anyone else notice that the people defending LKH have about the same grasp on the English language as she does?

[agatha-mandrake.livejournal.com]

Indeed.

[agatha-mandrake.livejournal.com]

I couldn't help but notice that those who were critical of LKH all had a good grasp on the basics of the English language, as opposed to the troos, most of whom could barely string a sentence together.

Interesting.

[spoiled-saint.livejournal.com]

Actually that could be because the critics mention spelling/grammar so often that one feels obligated to proof-read one`s posts that one extra time if one wants to belong. I know I feels very uncomfortable about a few mistakes I made and failed to catch in an earlier reply to something here. The troos wouldn`t care that much.

[nightangel486.livejournal.com]

I also put in my two cents under my boyfriend's account, Graveyard Poet

[saucyirishlass.livejournal.com]

I too began reading when I was 13 or 14 for the sex. NiC was my first book, so I didn't have investment or much knowledge of the characters. Maturity and exposure to better reading material paved the way for my 180.

[ladyravana.livejournal.com]

I spoke up too...you can find me under my initials, LP. ;) Couldn't resist the opportunity to say something, since the Fairy Bitch Princess decided to see fit to come down from the ivory tower, and leave her beloved mistress' side. :p

[saucyirishlass.livejournal.com]

I read your post. You were absolutely inspired. Honestly. You're my hero.

*clapping evilly*

[saucyirishlass.livejournal.com]

I love each and every one of you who responded. It wasn't my intention that everyone join in - wishful thinking, perhaps, but not intention - but you were all magnificent. I don't know how many people were Lashers, but you all deserve cookies.

*passes out cookies*

[rinkori.livejournal.com]

Okay guys, it's time to lay this out.

We don't see the sex as "outside our comfort zones." If anything the sex is boring and repetitive. I've gotten more turned on by cookbooks than I have by some of LKH's sex scenes. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with them, it's that they're terribly written and they're the ONLY THINGS GETTING WRITTEN.

[amamelina.livejournal.com]

I've gotten more turned on by cookbooks

I love that line.

[longtail.livejournal.com]

I posted too.

What drives me nuts is that they can't tell the difference between audience wanking and a real heads up.

Stuff like "You should have Richard marry Anita!" "I hate Micah!" "You should've had Nathaniel do such and such!" "You need to do another story about Edward!" "Anita needs a different type of gun!"

None of that is helpful and yes, it's REALLY freaking annoying. I've done professional writing myself, and that doesn't help me.

But things like "You have serious typo problems." "I don't know what you are trying to say here." "Do you realize Anita's had the same exact problems for the last four books?" "There is too much sex in the books that isn't helping the plot." "What was the plot of this again?"

That's all stuff that can be backed up. That's when you sit up and listen. You can open the book and show her "THIS is the problem RIGHT HERE!"

Laurell NEEDS to seperate her identity from her work, because she's commiting suicide by grade school storytelling. I see far too many good authors die this way.

Hater, Evil self-loathing masochism Jealous B ....

[ravenhaley.livejournal.com]

"Some people got the point, others did not."

Am I to assume that I was one of those people. You know what they say when you assume, it makes an ass out of you and me. Good think I didn't assume not to get the point. I got it. It was clear as cystal --- Negative readers (i.e if you hate the books go away).

"Laurell has never objected to critisism."

Um ... you are the one who made the rules at the BoPT did you not? Therefore, LKH can't not take citisism. If she did, she would see the negative readers are more than the ones who like the books.

"But there is simply no way to please everyone. What one person likes, another hates. So critisism is relevant mostly to the person making it!"

But that is the problem. LKH is pleasing her own person fantasy. A world where the main character (i.e Mary-Sue) is the most powerful being and she is always right. The world of Anita is no better than that of a young persons fanfiction.

If you read most of the reviews from readers, you would find most if it all of them have stated the same things. It is frastrating to us readers when we are name called and told we don't matter. We do matter. We are the ones who make you money.

"The original blog was in response to emails from people who said they found the sex or violence outside their comfort zone. Or that they liked static characters who did not change much from book to book. Or those that seemed to believe that they could threaten or intimidate Laurell and other fans in to sharing their opinion. Sorry, the world does not work that way. Not everyone enjoys the same thing. The fact that a vocal minority seems to think they can force what they want is just wrong. We heard from lots of fans who wanted Laurell to speak up and say something to defend herself and them. So she did. And other people too offense."

-MAILS? There was nothing within LKH's blog or Darla's rant number II that mention they had gotten e-mails from Haters.

What I think it was, LKH had seen the ugly haters post on the board and became angry at the none diety worshipping lovers.

I am not sure LKH and Darla's rant did anything but confirm what most of us negative readers have been saying for years. In the end, I wasn't to hurt by the words. In fact, I was happy to see LKH and MPE putting their foots into their mouths.

"Should we be bold enough to suggest you stop reading, if you weren't enjoying the books, then the complaints flew that we were telling folks what they could and could not read."

I have stopped reading it. Doesn't mean I can't still voice what I don't like about the series.

"Book writing is a solitary practice. At least the way Laurell does it. She does not collaborate. Her books are not written by committee. "

I disagree. I think Jon has a lot of imput to the books. As see in her blogs.

"There is simply no way to satisfy everyone. Make everyone happy. So for those who are not happy, then all we can suggest is that you do find a writer who makes you happy. It doesn't mean your wrong to not like Merry or Anita. It just means it is not what you want to read. That is fine. If it is not for you, then it is not for you. But, at the same time, if it is not for you, you do not get to impose on, intimidate or harrass other people who do not share your opinion."

Yet, you are the one that harrass, impose and try to intimidate those fans who are not loving the books. You have evening name called us from Hater, Evil self-loathing masochism Jealous Bitch, negative reader are just to name a few of the names I have been called by MPE and those Loyal fans. I like the term critical reader. I want to point out the flaws to make the book the best it can be, but instead I am told to go away and label. MPE doesn't learn from their mistakes because they don't think they make them. They continue to pretend that nothing is the matter and continue to write what LKH wants to write. It would be fine, if the writting wasn't something you could read on Fanfiction.net.

"Why is that so hard for some folks to get?"

Because I spent my time and money on a series and get nothing in return.

Is it too late to get my refund?

[catskin.livejournal.com]

they liked static characters who did not change much from book to book

I find it hard to imagine anyone of any intelligence writing to anyone else, anywhere ever, and saying they enjoy static characters who never change.

[randomsome1.livejournal.com]

*cough*RobertJordan*cough*
ITUGMYBRAIDINEVERMATUREWHEE!

[nightangel486.livejournal.com]

I find it interesting that Darla says LKH chose to respond to the "Hater" emails after receiving many emails from fans urging her to respond.

LKH has always touted herself as an independent woman who does what she wants and won't be swayed by others, to the point of being stubborn and contrary sometimes.

So why, all of a sudden, did she allow herself to be egged on? Had she taken a step back from the situation and deflated her ego for a moment, perhaps she would have realized that deciding to pick a fight with her "negative" fans in such a manner was highly unprofessional and a BAD publicity move. She has alienated many of her old fans and will probably alientate any new ones who stumble across her "Dear negative reader" blog, or any of the others where she lashes out at fans.

[darksongtrilogy.livejournal.com]

I posted over there, and I have to say, this "unhelpful post" thing is beautiful. On the Amazon boards, if a post gets enough people saying "this post didn't contribute to the discussion", it gets HIDDEN. Which, if any of you have been on the LKH forums--ever--is such poetic justice, I may have to do a happy dance. Whose posts are getting edited NOW, bi-otch?

[ladyravana.livejournal.com]

*grins* Really? Which one were you? :)

Oh, I know...the wank this thing is generating is fucking BEAUTIFUL. I've enjoyed watching it, and it was fun to jump in and rip into Darla when she left herself wide open. By posting on there, she painted a big-'ole target on her. It's...it's...wow. I know the woman's an idiot, but to come on to a public forum and fan the flames like that? What, did she expect us to NOT retaliate? It's like...one of the most stupid things I have EVER witnessed. If nothing else, she's an entertaining idiot. :p

This thing is just...HILARIOUS. I take a savage glee in watching her get schooled by all the negative fans, and I swear I can almost hear the chants of "ECW! ECW! ECW!" in the background.

I know she's a flame-and-flee type, but it's just oh-so-satisfying to rip into her like a rabid pit bull.

I SO want to see Darla do her own version of the "Dear Negative Reader" blog and go COMPLETELY batshit all over the negative fans. I mean...a full-blown RANT.

Because that would be the icing on this cake of WANK.

[frabjously.livejournal.com]

I've suddenly got Anne Rice visions of "you're interrogating the text from the wrong perspective!" Although it's not nearly as bad yet.

[nightangel486.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I wish you didn't have to buy something off Amazon to post in the forums. I created my own account there but can't post since I never buy anything through them, since my mom works at Barnes and Noble. It seems pointless to buy anything off Amazon just to post.