Sometimes I think I ought to write a story with some deep meaning that will touch people and change their lives. I mean, that's what writers are supposed to aspire to, isn't it?
If that happens, I''d be thrilled. But, mostly I have decided that I want to write to entertain.
I hope you won't think I have a huge ego, but I'd like to share part of a review that really inspired me.
A story is supposed to take you away on an exciting mind journey.. I wanted this encounter in the English countryside, with these two lovers to go on indefinitely...I was actually disappointed that the story had to end. So thank you for a lovely three hour experience. I can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Saturday morning.
This review actually made me tear up a bit. What a wonderful compliment.
I think many of us have a tendency to downplay what we write as smut or porn or "just spanking stories" but there are nice people out there who enjoy what we do. Sometimes a story (even smut, porn or spanking stories) has a deeper meaning and makes people think, and that's great. And sometimes, people just need a few hours of entertainment.
What do you think?
Another of my favorite E's--Emily Tilton will be here tomorrow for Spanking Stories Book Club to talk about The Magic Book which is part of Spank! 2, a collection of short stories by Penelope Hassler and Becky Sharpe. We'll also be talking about some F words too (no, not That F Word).
If you're curious about Spanking Stories Book Club, just click on the tab above. Even if you haven't read the book, you can take part in the discussion.
I think the same - and yes what a great review. I can't cure cancer or hunger with my writing, but I might be able to make someone smile. That's the best I can really hope for.
ReplyDeleteMaking someone smile is wonderful. Couldn't we all use more of that?
DeleteThat is a nice review!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. It would be nice to write a book that became a "classic" that would live on to bedevil high school students for centuries, but in a way, isn't that driven by ego? What is wrong with "just" providing entertainment? People need entertainment. What we do as genre fiction authors is not much different than what actors, dancers, singers, even athletes do. We entertain people for a few hours, give them an escape, provide stress relief.
Now I am imagining my friend the high school English teacher trying to bedevil her students with some of our books. Actually, I think there is much to discuss and think about in spanking romance...that's what we do at Spanking Stories Book Club.
DeleteThere you are! I tried to reply on my phone earlier but it got all screwy and luckily, I remembered to come back.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I don't think you have a huge ego. Not even a little tiny one. ;) There's nothing wrong with entertaining and I hate the word 'just' as it's not us 'just' tossing a book together over night...we work hard, all of us, and I don't categorize our books as smut or anything lesser than erotica or erotic romance. It's just as valid as any other sort of book.
Thanks for your persistence! Good point about "just"...and I do think non-writers think we just toss a book together and sometimes that's rather frustrating.
DeleteWhat we write is valid. So true!
A great post. It is so true, I love it when I get comments telling me they love my stories and urge me on to write more. I know how many times when at the end of a book or story, I didn't want it to end. Let's face it, we want to feel we've made that connection, with or without that "kink".
ReplyDeleteYes, the connection is important and so nice when it works out. :)
DeleteExcellent post and so true. Reviews and email make me day. They encourage me to go on when I doubt myself and let me know my work is appreciated. All I want is to make someone smile, or maybe escape life's struggles for a bit.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Making someone smile is no small feat! We should all be proud when we can do that.
DeleteA well deserved review. I don't think that I have read any book of yours that hasn't been great and interesting. Love your writing
ReplyDeleteAww. Thanks Blondie! You made my day!
DeleteWhat an awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThat leads to another great "E" word.
Escape
I love escaping into a good book!
Great post and review :)
Another good E word.
DeleteAll my "fancy" friends talk about the best sellers they are reading, but I don't want to be depressed or worry about the state of the world I want to escape too. Besides, I suspect they aren't all reading all the fancy books they say they are reading.
What an excellent way to look at writing "smutty" stories. I know how grateful I am, as a reader, to pick up a nice, entertaining story at the end of a busy day. That's a really nice review!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely review, and why should you not enjoy it, revel in it for a moment even. I honestly don't think that I can add much to what the ladies have already said, or can do it as eloquently as they do, but I think anyone who has ever attempted to write a story knows it's far more than sitting at a computer and clicking keys over and over. Every story we tell involves characters what have feelings, thoughts and reactions. We invest so much of ourselves getting to know the characters, and trying to understand how they would feel that we almost become them It's kind of akin to a psychic medium to me - we act as the hosts for these characters to talk through. That can be pretty demanding at times.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to have found your blog! And now your books! Kudos for the great review. Whisking people away to a different time/place is a skill that you should be proud of. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post; I write to entertain. I actually write as its my escapism. I have a very powerful and active imagination and I want to put that down. I like writing flawed characters where the flaws are their personality and adore fiesty women.
ReplyDeleteBut most of all, I love the cheeky turn or twist, particularly when its been subtly signposted all the way through the story.
If my readers get to the end of the story and smile, then I think I've succeeded.
And as for not writing "proper" fiction (as one of my friends accused me); well I've read Ben Elton's First Casualty and it has the worst sex scene I've ever read. I'm glad I'm not a "proper" author if that's what I am expected to produce! And, most of the "classics" I hate; give me Danny King's novels any day: light, profane, and full of humour. ;-)
I believe that most of us readers want to relax, step into a fantasy world for a few hours! Those hours have the capacity to change our lives! Happiness is a good read, and you definitely do that .. Dear!
ReplyDelete