I saw a link come across my twitter feed the other day that caught my attention. Normally I don’t pay attention to the “authors behaving badly” threads of the universe. I’m a big believer that we all have bad days and digital communication is rarely received exactly as intended (no matter how carefully worded or how many smiley faces you include.) But for some reason I clicked on this one. I won’t actually link to it because I don’t see the good in spreading more fire.

To sum it up: a reader sent an author an email. The reader explains that she’d purchased the author’s book, enjoyed it so much that she bought the author’s backlist. She’s disappointed with the wait time for the upcoming books in the series. She then requested, with respect, that the author write faster.

Despite the sweet tone of the email (at least to this author) the author didn’t read the email that way and took exception to the reader’s wording. She went as far as to rewrite the reader’s email in what she thinks is a more tactful manner. She then goes on to list a variety of other questions “one should not as an author.”

Dearest readers, please don’t think this author speaks for all authors. Yes, her blog post is entitled: What Not To Ask Your Favorite Author. But her post certainly does not express MY feelings.

I’m an author, but I am also a reader. And as a reader, I get invested in series. I wait for them. I am impatient for them. I want to prod authors along and see where the story goes. This is nothing new. But this feeling lets me know exactly what it feels like to my readers when my books aren’t released fast enough. I imagine that most authors have favorite series and know this feeling of “oh my gosh, gimme the next one already.”

I also know that sometimes I do feel guilty when I watch TV instead of writing. I feel guilty when I sleep in and readers are waiting for the next book in the series. I feel guilty about lots of things. But I use it to make me work harder. Faster. To make my readers happy. Because I understand how they feel, I sympathize with them. And I never want them to wait. It doesn’t matter if they’re waiting because the publisher has stretched out the release dates or if I simply haven’t been able to pull the book together fast enough. Whatever the reason for the delay, I understand wanting to be absorbed in the story, to reunite with those characters I love so much. I could never feel an irritation with a reader for feeling that way.

So with respect to the author, whom I do not know personally, readers should not ask HER those questions. They should not prod HER to write faster.

What hurts me about this whole issue is that many authors (this one included) would love, absolutely love, to get the email this reader sent to this author. That’s the kind of email that would make my smile like crazy, bounce around in my chair and reply that the reader had made my month.

Just this last week I have had six different readers encourage me to WRITE FASTER. Those were the exact words they used. While some might say the phrasing lacks tact, I don’t care. When I see that message I read it for what it is. They enjoyed my book so much that they can barely contain themselves waiting for the next one. And to me, that is the very highest praise a reader can give. And yes, it does make me write faster.

So, to sum up dear readers, please know that you are most welcome to, at any time of day or night, tell me to write faster.

Now, I’m off. To write faster.

Tucker’s Fall by Eliza Gayle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My favorite Eliza Gayle book yet. Loved the story, the setting, the characters. Especially Tucker. Just the right amount of BDSM for my taste. Can’t wait for the other stories in the Purgatory Masters series. Get on it EG!

View all my reviews

Deception Point by Dan Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Deception Point started off so good, but by page 400 I was ready for it to be over. Brown is a master of suspense, leaving the reader wanting to know what happens next. But the last 150 pages of this book struck me as a joke. That old saying: what else can go wrong? Brown just keeps piling it on. So the book went from a 4.5 star to a 3 star for me.

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Have you ever met an author in real life? Who and what was the event?

I spent all of yesterday feeling like it was Thursday. Thursday is finally here and I plan to get some good writing in.

What am I working on?

A short story collection, loosely related by place and event. A hurricane alright? I can’t get enough evidently. I’m aiming for 5 short stories and the first is done. Yay! Stories 2 and 3 are partially finished and I’m shopping my Ideas File for fresh ideas for 4 and 5.

Do you read short stories?

In case you missed my question in this morning’s newsletter: do you or one of your friends make your own bath & body products and potions?

What’s your favorite recipe?

For those of you who decorate for Christmas, when do you put up your Christmas tree?

Is that song stuck in your head now? So sorry. (Find out what it means to me…)

photo by: publicenergy

Anywho… the reason I’m talking about respect…

I followed a link from Cassandra Carr to the BDSM Authors Playroom blog. The topic was being a BDSM couple in public and how to go about it. I’m pulling this paragraph because it got me thinking:

As far as the treatment/respect thing goes, a service submissive can still serve her Master no matter where they are. At a party? Maybe the sub can make sure the Dom’s drink is never empty, or that he always has someone to talk to. Maybe the sub could watch for signs of fatigue and make sure the Dom sits, or the sub can rub his shoulders.

The reason I pointed this out is that it strikes me as sad that this is considered a sub/Dom thing. Serving the Dom. Making sure his drink is never empty? Shouldn’t we be doing that in all relationships? Isn’t that just the thoughtful, gracious thing to do? And I’m not just talking about ladies filling their fella’s glass. Oh no boys, you’re not getting off (haha) that easily. I think it’s the man’s responsibility to make sure his woman is having a good time. That her drink is full. That her feet are well massaged.

But I digress.

If the only way I’m going to be in a thoughtful, mutually respectful relationship where we make sure the other person is having a good time, drinks are filled, no one is too tired, and bodies parts are massaged is via a Dom/sub relationship then sign me up. But I really hope that this sort of thoughtful relationship isn’t exclusive to those in the lifestyle. Perhaps we all just need lessons on that front.