I love how the Google age has affected my reading. E-books, electronic publishers — books available to me in so many different formats. And the accessiblity of my favorite authors? They are literally at my fingertips via webpages, forums, and blogs.
Sometimes though, authors and writers don’t behave as nicely as they (sh)(c)ould. That’s the downside to such advanced technology. Authors behaving badly are only a click away too.
While such behavior makes me shake my head in disbelief, I sometimes can’t get enough of it. I visit blogs that advertise the trainwrecks happening across blogland. You know the ones.
I have to wonder if too much information and too much accessibility to authors will ever turn me off from reading their work. Blogs are great for craft, for a laugh, for promotional updates, for sharing news, but do I really want to know every nook and cranny of a writer’s life?
No related posts.
I don’t necessarily expect to be in the majority here, but for me, the attitudes and behavior of a writer don’t enter into my decision whether or not to read their fiction. I’d read my worst enemy’s stories if they were really good, and I won’t shower praise on my best friend’s stories if they suck. (Although neither will I post a review full of all caps and minus signs.
) A story is its own thing, well or badly written, interesting to me or not, and the fact that the writer is sarcastic or bitchy or whiny or whatever doesn’t make any difference. I probably won’t hang out at her blog if I don’t like her, but if her fiction is great then I’ll still read it even if I’m ignoring the writer.
That said, though, if I get to know the writer before I’ve read any of her stuff, then a nasty personality (or one that just rubs me the wrong way) will make me less likely to try his/her fiction. I might still do it, but it’d take a great recommendation from someone whose opinion I trust, rather than the usual picking up the book and seeing an interesting blurb or whatever.
I know most people disagree, or at least a considerable percentage of folks who’ve expressed opinions elsewhere on the subject seem to. I know a lot of people who won’t read fiction by someone they dislike, no matter how good the stories might be. So as a writer myself I make some effort to come across as a reasonably decent human being when I’m posting in public. I would think that any writer who wants to be read and attract new readers would, but that’s not always the case. One of these days I’ll try to figure out why so I can use that kind of character in a story.
Angie
“Blogs are great for craft, for a laugh, for promotional updates, for sharing news, but do I really want to know every nook and cranny of a writer’s life?”
I’m only interested in an author’s writing life, not the personal, family oriented things. I just want to know about the books. I’ve rarely found an author who had anything to say of interest to me that did not involve books. When I want to be engaged or amused I read reader blogs. That’s what they’re there for.
As far as the authors behaving badly, I have been turned off by some of them. I don’t mind the authors who are seemingly insane, or have borderline personalities. If they write a good book that’s really all I care about. Nor am I particularly bothered by bitchiness, arrogance or mean-spiritedness. These people may be unpleasant, but they’ll never have an impact on my life directly or indirectly. What turns me off an author’s books are the authors who have certain biases; racial, gender/sexual, or political. These authors, if they’re American voters, have opinions with far reaching consequences. I don’t want to lend support, however insignificant, to racists, homophobes, and fundies. Even if the biases are not apparent in the books, the author is forever tainted for me. I’m actually glad when such authors reveal themselves.
I’m only interested in an author’s writing life too, or if they happen to be reading any books…
I’m with Angie.
I’m a selfish reader.
If the writing is good,
the writer could be the wicked witch of the west
and I’d still read her/his books
(that might explain the magical writing).
This comment will REALLY not be popular
but I’d prefer, however, not to look at photos of authors.
Looking at that sweet face,
reminding me so much of a great aunt,
and reconciling the face
with the rather raunchy writing.
Or seeing a Regency writer in…
gasp…
modern street wear.
Doesn’t she know she’s supposed to dress the part?
‘Course I don’t care too much about what the characters look like either
so maybe I’m unusual.
I love being able to blog, but I tend blog about writing and book-related topics (sometimes branching out into movies and plays). I think because that’s what I most enjoy reading about on other writers’ blogs.
Cheers,
Tracy
http://www.tracygrant.org
With all of the predators lurking around on the internet, I don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to give away too much of their personal life in a blog.
Also, (and this might be an unpopular opinion, too) I think that an author’s blog should demonstrate good writing skills. If one of the purposes of a blog is to promote, then shouldn’t we put our best foot forward. I’m not going to be tempted to read an author’s books if her blog reads as if my ten-year-old niece wrote it.
I can be somewhat influenced negatively against trying an author if their blog is too sleezy. I’ll go elsewhere for my “man titty,” so to speak. On photos of authors: I really don’t want to see your cleavage, especially if it’s disembodied cleavage. I’m not a guy or a Lesbian (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and I find it really unimpressive that an author (or editor or reviewer) would think it cool to show their boobs. I also don’t like preachy blogs about what someone should and shouldn’t write. I’ve avoided purchases impressed for those reasons. Just the “ick” factor.
and authors who have typos like me
I’ve been on enjoyable writer blogs! They tend to be more like reader blogs, though, so maybe the writer blogs I frequent are the exceptions, rather than the rule.
And maybe I just have good karma, but the authors I tend to enjoy have pleasant online personalities. I think it’s a big part of the business these days. The authors I enjoy write witty, wonderful books. It doesn’t surprise me that they are smart and savvy when it comes to PR.
Sometimes, an author gets buzz off her bad behavior on the web, and I’ll actually look into her… and though I make my decisions based on her fiction (rather than her e-persona), I usually don’t like her writing. Go figure.
This is interesting. I try and keep a balance on my blog.
I like blogs that give me a little of everything but what I want is writing to MOVE me. Make me laugh. Make me cry.
I do notice that the blogs I gravitate toward are funny.
Kimber C — LOL! I’m with you on pictures, actually, and that’s whether the pics are on a blog or in the back of a book. I just have a really hard time reading flaming hot sex while this picture that looks like Dr. Ruth is hovering in the back of my head. [facepalm] Luckily, historical writers in modern clothing don’t bother me. [grin]
Lucinda — I’ve been very active online since the eighties and seriously, there aren’t anywhere near as many predators as the hysterical media or special interest groups with an axe to grind would have one think. Yes, it happens, but you’re much more likely to be swindled, mugged or raped by someone who lives in your town than you are by someone you ran into online. I met my husband online and if I’d followed all the “safety” rules one reads, we’d never have gotten together. Keep your eyes open and your brain engaged, sure, but don’t let it drive up your blood pressure.
I do agree with you, though, that writers should be as careful with their blogs as they are with their manuscripts. When I come across a blog that’s full of mechanical errors, I really have to wonder what their stories will be like.
Angie
I began my Live Journal on the advice of a multi-published writer on-line friend who said it was a marvelous tool for marketing, networking, and getting to know the people who read what you wrote. She has since abandoned her LJ and posts only in a writers’ blog section of her editor’s website.
On June 1 I made a commitment to post one journal entry a day. In part this was to develop my skills as an essayist, but I also wanted to work on my discipline as a writer. Besides, I wanted to see if I could come up with something to write about every day. (Haven’t set a date to stop yet.) So far … Well, there have been a few clunkers and a few “nothing to write today” posts to keep my numbers inflated, but on the whole I’m pretty happy with my experiment.
As for content ..
Some days — like today — I have discussed race in America. As a partner in a racially blended family in the American south, issues of race are pretty much with me constantly. But beyond that I’ve been fairly apolitical. I have also not made an issue of my faith, though I do nothing to conceal the fact that I am a minister. Because my day job involves supporting people with special needs, I seldom discuss specifics of my work out of respect for our client’s privacy.
Usually I write about what I want to read about in the journal of a writer. Writing — how I work and the markets with which I interact — my family, and the world around me. Actually, with the exception of the specifics of writing, that’s why I read anyone’s journal.