Comments on: By the Way http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/ A seduction in words Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:34:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Anya Bast http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18191 Anya Bast Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:12:45 +0000 http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18191 He DID read a more "old skool" bit of romantic fiction, but that in no way excuses his slam of romance as a whole. You don't read one book and use it to determine the merits of entire genre. But I don't get upset about characterizations like these anymore. It's just flat out ignorance and bigotry, and I have no time (and definitely no energy) for it. It does upset me when people I respect (or want to respect) can't seem to find it in them to respect me. I KNOW I'm not writing anything worthy of a Pulitzer. I write purely for the entertainment of my readership. But...what's so lowly and horrible about that? He DID read a more “old skool” bit of romantic fiction, but that in no way excuses his slam of romance as a whole. You don’t read one book and use it to determine the merits of entire genre.

But I don’t get upset about characterizations like these anymore. It’s just flat out ignorance and bigotry, and I have no time (and definitely no energy) for it. It does upset me when people I respect (or want to respect) can’t seem to find it in them to respect me.

I KNOW I’m not writing anything worthy of a Pulitzer. I write purely for the entertainment of my readership. But…what’s so lowly and horrible about that?

]]> By: Bernadette Gardner http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18188 Bernadette Gardner Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:03:04 +0000 http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18188 I have to agree with you Lauren. I know a lot of people found the article amusing, and I must confess, sarcasm has often been my weapon of choice when I've been wronged, but I lost sympathy for Mr. Tolme when he began trashing the genre as a whole. He has a right to be angry, and even a little snarky, but puts down plenty of excellent, successful authors with his 'clever jibes.' It will be interesting to see what he has to say for himself when the Romance Divas get a hold of him. :wink: I have to agree with you Lauren. I know a lot of people found the article amusing, and I must confess, sarcasm has often been my weapon of choice when I’ve been wronged, but I lost sympathy for Mr. Tolme when he began trashing the genre as a whole. He has a right to be angry, and even a little snarky, but puts down plenty of excellent, successful authors with his ‘clever jibes.’ It will be interesting to see what he has to say for himself when the Romance Divas get a hold of him.

]]> By: JSL http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18187 JSL Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:57:30 +0000 http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18187 Hi Lauren, I read your post, and of course was offended, reading the quotes. I then read Paul Tolme's article - and found myself chuckling at some parts - he is/can be witty. But, I don't appreciate how he paints romance with such broad strokes. I haven't read anything by that particular author, but I have read books where it seems the author used as many "bad words" as possible, improper sentences and I'm left wondering how the book got published. At the same time I just had a conversation with a friend, telling her with all the harlequin romances I've read (numbering in the hundreds- and being *the* quintessential "trashy romance novel") I've only ever read one or two that made me want to poke my eyes out, and generally enjoyed the rest. It's upsetting that most likely a vast number of people will read his article and feel justified in prefacing the entire romance genre with the word "trashy." He also does get really snarky. Blech. Hi Lauren,
I read your post, and of course was offended, reading the quotes. I then read Paul Tolme’s article - and found myself chuckling at some parts - he is/can be witty. But, I don’t appreciate how he paints romance with such broad strokes.
I haven’t read anything by that particular author, but I have read books where it seems the author used as many “bad words” as possible, improper sentences and I’m left wondering how the book got published.
At the same time I just had a conversation with a friend, telling her with all the harlequin romances I’ve read (numbering in the hundreds- and being *the* quintessential “trashy romance novel”) I’ve only ever read one or two that made me want to poke my eyes out, and generally enjoyed the rest.
It’s upsetting that most likely a vast number of people will read his article and feel justified in prefacing the entire romance genre with the word “trashy.” He also does get really snarky. Blech.

]]> By: Red http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18184 Red Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:48:08 +0000 http://www.laurendane.com/blog/2008/01/16/by-the-way/#comment-18184 Amen, Lauren! Amen, Lauren!

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