Sometimes it is best to keep your opinion to yourself. Because sometimes that opinion is yours and yours alone and no one else agrees with it.
I have killed my writing career by stating my opinion. The thing is, I still agree with what I said, I just wish I’d kept it to myself. Hero worship is a horrible thing to have due to the intelligence level of the group dropping tremendously when the group is large enough. Or fervent enough. Just take a look at the Republicans and the Village Idiot they put on the throne here in the U.S.
I said negative things about someone that some fervent people see as a Literary Lesbian Icon. I don’t see this person as a Literary Lesbian Icon and am uncomfortable with her presentation to the Real World as a Literary Lesbian Icon. THE Lee Lynch is a Literary Lesbian Icon. If lesbians wanted someone to represent them to the Literary Real World, then I’d choose her. Not this other person. I’d barely consider the other person a Lesbian Icon and certainly not a Literary one.
But I said what I meant. I apologized to the list. I even included an apology to the person I was talking about. I didn’t offer any excuses or reasons. BUT, I’m not taking it back. I said what I wanted to say because I believe in it. Folks love me or hate me because I say what is on my mind.
On the Yahoo group list, I am being burned alive. Someone has suggested I be removed from the list for breaking the, basically, “no flame” rule. snort. If that is so, then about 3/4 of the people who responded to me should be removed too. I won’t cry if I am. I would rather go to Literary Hell for saying my mind than to slowly die from the idol worship around me.
I’m still going to write books. I am hoping my publisher still buys them. The advance will probably be all I will ever get for any of them and I may wind up owing the publisher money in the long run.
You’re not going to be the only one who holds that opinion. Remember, many readers just read. They don’t get involved in conferences, authors’ websites and mailing lists, or groups on the internet. And your writing has a stronger voice than I think you realise. Take what you need from the experience, but don’t write off your future in this business. The next scandal that comes along will replace this one, and you’ll have the chance to change the current image you have in that group to one that perhaps is more acceptable, but doesn’t compromise your opinions.
I’m sorry you’re going through this.
What surprises me about all this is the acid that is spouting about.
My publisher still likes me. I think.
I haven’t read Lee Lynch so I can’t comment on her. I’d think Sarah Waters is the closest we come to a Lesbian Literary Icon. “Literary” is a very strong word, imo, and nothing I’ve read short of Waters books even come close to qualifying…
As for the bruhaha (sp??) on the list – That’s one of the reasons I barely participate in any list these days. Few people are willing to have an open discussion about the state of lesbian fiction or the attributes of a particular book etc. The only place I find a reasonable amount of free and open debate is over on the Lesbian Fiction Forum (http://lesbianfiction.17.forumer.com/index.php?sid=9dad4104b30e3258c6bfbdb31dc0674e)
(You have to prove your a sane person before you are allowed in the restricted book discussion forums.) But there is a place where you can openly debate any author’s works and you won’t get hero worship in your face. You will get in your face debate on the merits of the writing (characters, plot, style etc).
You’ve never read Lee Lynch? You are missing out on lesbian literature history. Her writing is more…literary than any other genre. Not really romance since there’s not always the HEA.
I don’t know if I’ve read any Sarah Waters. What book do you suggest I read first? I am about to order from SCP and will add one of hers to the pile. There’s another writer, Barrett or Garrett or something like that, that I want to read, too.
Hero worship w/in the lesbian literature crowd is sometimes scary. I just proved that when I shot down what others see as a Great Writer. I’ll check out the forum you mentioned and see if I feel safe.
(I edited your comment to make the URL a hyperlink)
I don’t think I agree with what you wrote on the list exactly, but I do agree that the heroine worship is a bit stifling at times.
These dustups happen all the time. Give it a few weeks. Someone else will make a comment that sparks a flame war, everyone will go batshit, and you’ll be replaced in the firing line. Memories are short.
Also, how can you end up owing your publisher money? If a book doesn’t earn out its advance, that’s the publisher’s tough luck, not the author’s.
And yes, Lee Lynch is a goddess 🙂 As is Jeanette Winterson.
Kimiko – It’s fine you don’t agree. Hell, if we all agreed about something I’d be more worried! And there’s a saying “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I believe that with all my heart. As for the heroine worship, I had enough of it I guess, and exploded.
HH – I met THE Lee Lynch at the con in Atlanta. We sat on a panel together, actually. She sat in the seat next to me and I got all twitchy. I finally turned to her and said “I have to say this. But I am just so freakin’ thrilled to be sitting next to THE Lee Lynch.” The capper to my entire weekend there was when she turned to me a few minutes later and said “I know your name from somewhere. What book did you write?” I told her and she said “I just read that book! Ohmigod, I can’t believe I’m sitting next to THE Paula Offutt!” I am now thrilled beyond belief to be able to count THE Lee Lynch as a friend. I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know Jeanette Winterson. I know books more than I know authors, though.
I dunno how to comment on comments (w/ quotes) – but how do you end up owing a publisher? Well if you got your advance before turning in your final manuscript and then you decide, ah the heck w/ it and never turn it in, the publisher can I think charge you for any promotions, fees (graphic artist, contract editor) etc. I’m not 100% sure that’s the case, but I sure got that impression.
Paula – *lol* I can certainly sympathize, having been flamed a number of times for perceived criticism of BSB. Most recently even when I was actually praising their editing.. :p
Sandra – Click on the » button, then on ‘B-Quote’. Use ‘/B-Quote’ to close the quote.
Sandra — yes, that certainly makes sense. If you don’t turn in the manuscript, then you’d have to pay back the advance. As for the other costs, I guess it would depend on how your contract was worded.
Paula — Lee Lynch is the only novelist I’ve ever written fan mail to. I was totally impressed with “Sweet Creek.” And she seems like an amazingly nice, humble woman. I’d buy anything she publishes.
I’ve read two books by Lee Lynch: “The Swashbuckler” and “Toothpick House”. Lee Lynch is better than average for lesbian fiction, but certainly not on the same league as Jeanette Winterson.
I really need to read something by Winterson.
As for the advance from the publisher, I was being funny. An advance is an investment by the publisher.