This discussion is spurred on by some conversations (by people I admire) I really shouldn’t jump into, but hey, I’m sorta opinionated. Actually, I’m super opinionated, but so far I’ve kept it out of my blog. Today, not so much. Consider yourself forewarned!
Some authors I simply don’t like.
This is a truth. It’s not their books it’s their ideology. I simply do not agree and when they state them in a way I find offensive I get upset. Orson Scott Card, is a religious homophobe. Does this bother me?
To no end.
FYI: I was raised in a family where all my uncles were ordained ministers, my (very temporary) stepfather was a preacher, and my mother had a degree in religious studies. To say that it was/is expected of me to be a devout Christian is an understatement. I married a Muslim man who had a devout upbringing in a foreign country. Why, yes this does anger most of my family. Oh well.
I find religion to be a comfort that is needed. Do I find using this religion to justify being judgmental close-minded or violent to be despicable? Yes.
Btw…I do not find it appropriate to ever celebrate someones’ death.But I don’t read Orson Scott Card, not because he’s religious homophobe, but because I don’t read that genre. Have I ever boycotted an author’s writing because of their behavior? Yes. Not because I thought I could change it, but simply it would bring unneeded drama into my life. Rudeness on twitter and facebook, fastest way to make me not read another book by you. Especially if it is aimed at a young fan.
So, yes I do indeed let my dislike of authors sway my reading habits.
There are some authors I love.
On the flip-side there are authors that whole-heartedly agree with there views outside of writing. I had never heard of Jackson Pearce until yesterday, but I did go through her youtube channel since. Guess what I found, an author that is bright hilarious and beautiful inside and out. I have since decided to give her book a read.
I do not agree with everything she has to say, but I do think she has a right to what she has to say. Whether or not her chosen job is to be an YA author.
There are other authors I have been friends with for years. I mean some of these girls are closer than sisters. But their writing is not for me.
So, if I do like an author I might pick up a book by them. I might even like it. I might get jokes that other’s wouldn’t. I might even hate it. There are some authors I have gotten to know after reading their book and I like them all the more for what they did write.
In summation
Liking an author will get me to pick up one book and if I love it I will pick up another. Disliking the ideology of an author might enrage me so much that I don’t pick up another one of their books.
Today’s Question:
Does disliking a person’s ideology spoil their writing for you or are you more objective than I? Should YA authors be able to say what they will on subjects not relating to their book? Does liking an author’s personality make you want to pick up their book?
Reminder:
For every comment made on a "Saturday's Discussion" in May you receive an extra entry to the giveaway at the end of the month. For every "Saturday's Discussion: Paranormal Obsession" you receive 2 entries. That person that comments the most is guaranteed to win. Yes, this is a blatant way to receive more interaction, but I find commenting can become overwhelming when there is 300+ blogs to get through. So why not reward those that make the effort.
Categories: Saturday Discussion
Hi
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, if an authors vocal about their views and I don't agree with them then I'm going to start their book with a negative attitude and it would need to be out of this world to bring me round, something that's not likely to happen because you just know their views will be reflected somewhere in the book.
On the otherhand author interaction on Twitter has led me to read a few books and I have (many) other on my TBR pile, it doesn't even need to be interaction specific to me, just seeing them as a nice person can make me seek out their books.
Louise
www.book-bliss.com
The author's personal opinions don't really have an impact on the way I receive their writing. I usually don't learn about the author until after I've read their books anyway. But I think all of the authors who have written favourite books of mine are genuinely nice and "normal" people :) Authors are most definitely entitled to their own opinion, unless it's really out there and offensive. If I do happen across an author before I read their book, their great personality might make me want to read their book more than I already do (like motivation) but it won't make me read it if I wasn't interested before.
ReplyDeleteLiking the author is a big plus in reading there books! I believe authors have different lives beside writing even if they write about is completely out of there league its totally up to them, I don't mind reading there books as long as they create a world that is beautiful for every person. In the end they don't take is personally it's just a job for them and what they need to satisfy is there readers and not satisfy them personally.
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