Fantasy Aficionados discussion
Authors
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Author blogs
I mainly keep up with Anne Stuart (my favorite writer of all time), but I do read Ilona Andrews blog posts. They are so witty! Most of my favorites don't get real political on their blogs, which is good, because that's a buzzkill for me.
The only author who's blog I ever really see is Orson Scott Card, and I'll usually read it, but I agree with what he says like half the time, or less. But sometimes it's entertaining. I haven't really seen too many others by authors I read regularly.
I tend to want to stay away from finding out how authors are on a real basis. It's too easy to be disappointed.
I've heard about Orson Scott Card, but the ones I mentioned above, actually increase my appreciation for their works. I think now I might be more likely to accept something that I might have considered questionable with the understanding that I have background on what their personal position really is. Similarly, since I've only read two of Valente's books, I realize her female characters are deliberately and thoughtfully created. I had thought reading The Orphan's Tales that they might be, but now I'm certain.
You know, I try not to follow authors. Im always afraid I'll either turn into a rabid fangirl or that I'll become disgusted with the author. I really don't want that close of a connection...but I can understand the fascination.
I don't want to know too much about their personal beliefs, to be honest. It could color my perception of their writing more than I would like. I prefer reading about their writing process and what they like reading/watching/listening to. Ilona Andrews cracks me up with their stories about their kids and family life. Having said that, I have developed more personal friendships with writers and knowing them as actual human beings is a bit different than just reading about them on their blog. I don't follow her blog per se, but from interviews I've read about Patricia Briggs and people I've chatted with who met her, she sounds like a lovely person, and I love her even more now.
One author whose blog posts I enjoy reading is John C. Wright. He's very passionate about science fiction literature and its connection to real life. Also a true intellectual, in the "smart and educated" way instead of the "I'm better than you" way a lot of intellectuals write. Getting to see his thoughts and worldview has encouraged me to plow through his Golden Age trilogy even though the complexity of the plot almost made my brain explode. I am, however, currently enjoying his foray into fantasy, "The Last Guardian of Everness," very much.
Carol wrote: "now an awesome post by John Scalzi"It is indeed an awesome post. I wish I tweeted so I could tell the world about it! Brilliant.
Favourite author blogs: Stephen Deas is the funniest, by far (very British humour); Michael J Sullivan is funny, too, and interesting about the writing process; and I enjoy Glenda Larke's blog for entirely different reasons - she lives in Malaysia and posts wonderful pictures of the scenery and wildlife!
Yes, Scalzi's blog is famously wonderful. All the authors at Book View Cafe (including me!) take turns blogging at blog.bookviewcafe.com. Sometimes we talk about our work, but mostly we talk about writing, and life. We have enough adventurous members that it's like a magazine, lots of different things.
I follow a handful of authors on Twitter which often link to their blogs. Scalzi is one I visit every so often, but I never seem to get tired of Chuck Wendig. Scott Lynch, too, is hilarious. He and Scalzi had it out on April Fools this year which had me laughing so hard I struggled to remain on my computer chair. If anyone is in need of some giggles, read the blog post AND the comments. Fun stuff.http://scott-lynch.livejournal.com/27...
OMG, their comments to each other are hysterical! I did, indeed, lol."In that benighted existential Taco Bell you call your soul..."
"Yours,
A TOTAL STRANGER TO YOU"
My favourite was the bit about chest hair resembling a "malnourished ewok pelt!"I eagerly anticipate the day I can use that insult in context =}
Brenda, thanks for pointing out Book View, took a scroll though it and now its nestled in my book mark bar. I almost squeed with joy when I saw Sherwood Smith's name. I really liked Le Guins May 21st post, it makes me rather ashamed that I somehow have never got around to reading any of her work, even though I read her blog posts here and there.
And Sherwood's posts are so long and intelligent!! It is a thrill to read her and LeGuin's posts.
Scalzi is one of the few whose blog posts are worthy of collecting in book form, and have been: Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded: A Decade of Whatever, 1998-2008Funny read.
I like his concept of "The Mallet of Loving Correction" for comments. I never cease to be amazed at how much effort he puts into moderating a comment thread, one of those Wild Beasts of the Internet.
I do like to follow author's blogs. In the "old days" you didn't get to "know" authors like you can today with social media. I especially like those blogs that give insights into the writing in a kind of "behind the scenes" fashion like Sanderson does with his chapter notes.
I don't even like to see the pictures of authors on the backs of their books. If I do look at the picture, then sometimes I am thinking 'wow, that person wrote this' when I get to something sexy. So I do not follow writers' blogs. And on my blog, I pretty much stick to writing about writing and about books. I don't like it when readers know my personal business. Once, in Wal-marts, this woman had read one of my Harlequin books and she talked like she knew me. It threw me when she asked how my cat was doing. Then I realized she'd read my bio. It's a very weird feeling when people you don't know talk to you like they know you.
Sure, but to be clear--your comment was fine. It was insight into what you got out of people visiting a blog.It was just the link that was the problem. All of the above links are from readers who are talking about blogs they visit, not host. For instance, although KC mentioned her blog, she didn't provide a link. She just talked about how the relationship changed when readers read the blog.
I tend not to read author blogs too much, though i have a few author friends whose posts I will read. As for my own blog, I try to stick to writing, art, and comics, with occasional rants on life in general.I also don't include a photo of myself, since I once lost about half my readers on my first webcomic after I posted a pic of myself. Now, the most I'll put out is a washed out high contrast pic in the tradition of Che. :P
I don't, however, freak out when fans talk to me like they know me, since I do interact with them a LOT on Twitter. Usually, if they recognize me by name or from the horrible pic, they're a reader, and they're part of why I can afford to do what I do, so I just enjoy the interaction.
After all, if it wasn't for the readers, I'd just be a pissed off, reclusive shut-in with a gimpy leg and facial hair like the Dos Equis man. ;)
I pretty much read Patrick Rothfuss, Ilona Andrews and Stacia Kane. The blogs tend to be very entertaining and fun!
I pretty much read Patrick Rothfuss, Ilona Andrews and Stacia Kane. The blogs tend to be very entertaining and fun!
Kenya wrote: "I pretty much read Patrick Rothfuss, Ilona Andrews and Stacia Kane. The blogs tend to be very entertaining and fun!"I just do the last two...and only now and again. I hesitate to get to know them too much. You can't unlearn something.
I love reading Lynn Viehl's blog -- it's useful, inspirational & sincere. Marjorie M. Liu writes some great thoughtful posts, but doesn't post often enough (though I'd rather have more of her stories than blog posts). And Ilona Andrews & Neil Gaiman are two other favorites.
I need a little help. I have a page on Goodreads for my fantasy novel, 'Komasi's Ride: The Grass Sea'. I'd like to link it to Fantasy Aficionados, but my computer skills aren't up to the task. I need to join this group as Stephen John Lewis, and it seems that in order for me to do that, someone from here will have to invite me. Anyone out there willing to help?
I think i can do it manually if you give me the email address connected to that account. but it surprises me, as the membership is open, unless you've been banned.
No, I haven't been banned. What I have done is use a different author name for my 'mainstream' books. The email connected to the account is: Scorpius1950@yahoo.com
Invite sent. let me know if that didn't work.
It worked! I now have an alternate identity as far as Goodreads is concerned.
It is interest to see that some people like to follow authors and some do not. What about for the writer just starting out. I've been told a blog is important to keep and I've been struggling for three years to find topics. If it is of no value to readers then I should stop. But if people enjoy it; if it helps other writers to through the issues all writers face then it may have some small -- and I mean small, like a quark or something -- value. Hard to know. Opinions?
I would think that the value of a blog to an author would vary, depending on a lot of individual factors. I maintain a blog on Goodreads and update it irregularly. I get way more views than comments, as a rule, so I don't expect much in the way of feedback any more. What sort of topics have you blogged about so far?
I get almost no comments either and I'm not sure why. I know some folks have had difficulty providing feedback but mostly it feels like talk to myself, which is not the intent.The blog is about the things that interest me: writing, technology -- especially writer tools as I find them -- social media and more recently my experiences as I write my fourth novel to give a behind-the-scenes look at what I'm doing. I'm also add posts as my first novel goes through the publication process -- which is new to me. I've got a lot of questions on book promotion which I hope to answer as I learn it in my blog.
I suppose one could ask on one's blog why there are almost no comments, but the people already not posting comments are unlikely to be inspired to reply. And yes, you may feel as if you're talking to yourself at times. Just keep at it. A blog is useful in getting noticed, and if you can't count on feedback you can at least count the views.Am I right in assuming that your first book isn't published yet?
I have a blog as well (not an author blog, of course!) and I noticed that getting comments is...really, really hard. Normally comments come from current events, controversial topics or hot button topics. OTher than that...most people just read and move on. Unless they are a regular at said blog.
S.J. wrote: "I suppose one could ask on one's blog why there are almost no comments, but the people already not posting comments are unlikely to be inspired to reply. And yes, you may feel as if you're talking ..."Yes, my first novel isn't published yet. It is due out in a few months. Why do you ask? Does that have some bearing on this discussion?
No, it doesn't have any particular bearing on the discussion. I was just curious. There's nothing quite like having your first book published. What's yours about?
Well, that's true enough. Mine's a fantasy novel, the first book in a series. Since that's is off topic to this thread, I will refer you to my web site: http://feitelberg.net/aglaril/.There will find all the information about the book and the stories I have available. You'll also be able to read comments from my early readers whose feedback helped me revise the book so I could sell it.
MrsJoseph wrote: "I have a blog as well (not an author blog, of course!) and I noticed that getting comments is...really, really hard. Normally comments come from current events, controversial topics or hot button..."
Give me the link to your blog!!!! I had no idea. All this time I stalk you and never see the blog!
Kenya wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "I have a blog as well (not an author blog, of course!) and I noticed that getting comments is...really, really hard. Normally comments come from current events, controversial to..."
Well, thats cause I have two and I'm a bad blogger, lol. One is on my hair and the upkeep of natural hair and it's been defunct for about 1.5 years now. I'm about to get back into that. People have been reblogging my shit. :<
The other is a book blog with some friends here. osgabookreviews.wordpress.com No updates for a few months there.
upkeep of natural hair? You're black?:-o
...I'm a bit slow! It's not my fault. I've only been talking to you for. . .a year or so. . .Did I mention I was slow?
Kenya wrote: "...I'm a bit slow! It's not my fault. I've only been talking to you for. . .a year or so. . .Did I mention I was slow?"
Thanks. You make me feel all warm and mushy inside.
*thought we were cool*
lol!! It's not like you put up your profile pic. Not fair. lol.From mine, you clearly see that I look like Beyonce.
Your's is of your grandfather.
I feel like I don't know you anymore!
*cries
...and now I will take this opportunity, MrsJ, to note that I've always thought that the dapper man in your profile pic looks as though he has curly pigtails. It is a profile pic that puts a smile on my face =]
I follow Jenifer Crusie's blog. Some of her posts are very personal, while others are very informative and useful for writers. And most of them are humorous. Did it change my appreciation of her novels? No. I still love her books. But it added some level of understanding.
Kenya wrote: "lol!! It's not like you put up your profile pic. Not fair. lol.From mine, you clearly see that I look like Beyonce.
Your's is of your grandfather.
I feel like I don't know you anymore!
*cries"
Pfffft!
Firstly, I look like Beyonce.
Second, my Poppa was a handsome, handsome man! They don't make em like that anymore. ;)
And 3rd: Pffffffffffffffffft! Again.
Sophie wrote: "...and now I will take this opportunity, MrsJ, to note that I've always thought that the dapper man in your profile pic looks as though he has curly pigtails. It is a profile pic that puts a smil..."
:-D
He actually did have slightly curly hair that he wore in a tail. He loved making people laugh and have a good time. :-) It would have made him smile to know that...then he would have flirted. :D
Anyone have other authors they follow? Favorites? Did reading personal thoughts change your opinion of the author?