What a weekend of wow. I’ve stayed mostly on the sidelines, with the exception of here on my own blog as I see no real point in attempting discussion that seems unwelcome so I can continue to be told I don’t understand the issue. I’ve had a weekend where I wish I were just a reader again. I miss the days when I just read a book that an author wrote, based on the blurb on the back and/or reviews written about the books.
Monday morning arrives, and I am completely disillusioned at what I’ve seen. I go back and forth between angry, sad, disgusted, disappointed, disheartened, and disillusioned. I read a blog post yesterday that broke my heart. I was informed that my favorite author will be leaving the genre. It was a sad day for me. I will miss him. I can’t blame him a single bit, but I will miss him vera vera much. I know that others are thinking of leaving as well, I will miss them too. Vera vera vera much.
I’ve been told enough times that I don’t understand the issues, and quite frankly, I don’t care. I’m tired of saying that there were going to be other issues as a result of the controversy. I’m pretty much tired of the whole thing.
I’m not making this post to rehash everything; I’m not making this post to say anything other than…
Dear Authors,
I love you. I appreciate you. I respect you and what you do. I am only one reader, one little voice in a sea of many that are louder than me, but I want you to know that as long as you write good books for me, I will continue to read them.
I will never ask you to reveal your private lives to me. You will never have to reveal to me which gender you are or where in the rainbow you fit. I will never try to stuff you in some preconceived little box so I can put a label on you. I will never label you in any other way than author/writer and I will call you by what ever name you wish me to use.
I will continue to buy your books, based on the blurb on the back, or an excerpt I read, or maybe even a review. And that is all.
I am just one small voice. I am just one reader. But I wanted you to know, if you continue to make good book for me, I will judge you only by the words you put in them. I also wanted you to know… I think you rock.
All my love,
Amara Devonte
14 comments:
Yes -- that, exactly! All I want is the story. Well, stories. I'm willing to overlook iffy editing if I find the storyline and characters convincing/compelling enough. But I can't say that seeing someone embroiled in ugliness -- as one of the people slinging the ugly -- won't cause me to think twice. Which is why I'm going to be very VERY careful about which groups and blogs I visit in the future.
Just share the love and plumb the depths of human emotions in your manuscripts -- NOT the internet.
*HUGS*
You put my feelings about the whole thing out there. I AM just a reader, and a lurker on various places, but I shy away from ugliness in any form. I love to read that is my past time. I do not watch TV or movies. I read and I love good stories. I am sad to see good authors (no matter what their sex or private lives) leaving a genre that I personally enjoy. I have NEVER understood hate or discrimination in any form. A persons' private live is just that private. So thank you for putting this out there.
Me too. I really do love the books. The authors too. Their craft rock mah socks. Has since I was little.
Yeah, this has all been a huge eye opener for me. There are definitely a lot of groups and blogs etc I will stay away from in the future. Not that I was a big participant in them in the first place. And truthfully, I wasn't interested in the in most of the vocal author's books before this ugly started, so...
Thanks for adding your voice to mine darlin'. :)
*hugs*
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for coming by, and adding your voice to mine. I couldn't agree with you more. I started this journey of mine as just a reader, then built my blog and see things like this happen... and it just breaks my heart.
Amara, thanks for your posts.
Someplace online in the m/m community where there is no public pillorying going on! And no lectures about what a gullible fool one must be if one doesn't agree with the pillorying. Phew! As you posted, one m/m author has already left the m/m market. I saw another blog where an author posted the real name behind the pen name and a photo as proof of bona fides. It saddens me that some m/m authors are feeling so embattled. It saddens me that the fomenters of condemnation who feel betrayed or let down by the actions of one author seem so tone deaf to how this protracted public pillorying comes across to other m/m authors and to other readers. No matter that they say it isn't about gender or sexuality, it sounds and feels like it is about gender and sexuality, and the longer they beat the drums of condemnation, the more it sounds like they are setting themselves up as the arbiters of gender and sexuality expression. It's unnerving to witness, especially in the m/m community which ought to be a haven for safely exploring gender and sexuality and sexual orientation.Eventually this will all die down, at least on-line. But I am puzzling over what m/m sites and blogs I will still be interested in visiting in the future. Yours is one, at least.
I won't saying anything about this whole issue as too much is already said. But just like you I am only one reader and I will miss him too.
Hugs
Hi Carycleo,
Lol, yeah, I'm one of the few that subscribes to a different opinion, and is trying to bring attention to a bigger/broader topic. It doesn't stop the public from coming to tell me how wrong I am or pointing out my total lack of understanding of issues and such. *shrugs* what can ya do ;)
I saw that author's blog too. That was one of the things that spawned my original post/emotional outburst.
It saddens me that the fomenters of condemnation who feel betrayed or let down by the actions of one author seem so tone deaf to how this protracted public pillorying comes across to other m/m authors and to other readers. No matter that they say it isn't about gender or sexuality, it sounds and feels like it is about gender and sexuality, and the longer they beat the drums of condemnation, the more it sounds like they are setting themselves up as the arbiters of gender and sexuality expression. It's unnerving to witness, especially in the m/m community which ought to be a haven for safely exploring gender and sexuality and sexual orientation
Thank you! That’s exactly what I feel too. And it boggles my mind that so few seem to see it. Unfortunately those that beat the drums the loudest refuse to listen to anyone else’s opinion or even consider other positions, OR the affect this is having on other people in the community.
I’m saddened on sooooo many levels.
There are definitely many sites/blogs I won't be visiting in the future. I'm glad you see mine as a place that's different, that you'll come back to. Thank you for that. lol don't know how much book stuff you'll actually find over here, I've really only been posting this stuff here because my main blog is in the middile of 2 blog tours and I have no free days. Thanks so much for coming by. It's nice to see that there are people that agree.
Hi Arzu. *hugs*
You said it all :-D
Better than I ever could
It could not have been said better! It is sad that those who are leaving or considering leaving feel that they had/have to go. It is sad that the rest of us will lose the author's we enjoy because of the bullshit that they refuse to put up with from the prejudice fans out there. I can not blame those who don't want to be harassed for who they are or their stance on the issue. No, I can't blame them for not wanting the distraction and anger that it may cause their muse. I can't blame them for the choice they made or will make. I can only say that they will be missed and that I wish them the best of luck in what genera their muse can find to express themselves.
Hi Sarah. Thanks. And thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. I really want the authors to see that there really are some that respect them, and just love their books. I don't think enough people are telling them.
Thanks darlin'. *hugs*
Hi darlin'
I can't blame them either. I'm just heartsick over all of this mess. Srsly. Where they go, whatever they do, I hope this never happens again. Ever.
Gah. I'm all sad again.
Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for leaving your thoughts. It means a lot to me.
Amen!
Well said, Amara, well said!
Thanks Blaine. :)
Post a Comment