Dear Author, I Really Hated...

I thought this week's topic was kind of cute and rather fun. When you read a book do you write to the author afterward? Unless I know the author personally, then no, I don't.

Sometimes, I do pen elaborate ones in my head while reading the book and later when parts of the book still remain in my mind, for whatever reason. Like most consumers, if I enjoyed the book I tell everyone I know. If I didn't, the things I disliked may plague me like a bad taste in the mouth and I will dream of writing the author to tell them my thoughts.

But I don't do it. Why? Well, for starters, who am I to judge them or their vision? Just because I didn't care for it does not mean others won't think it's the bees knees. I read a bestselling erotica ebook author this week and while her writing was well done, I did not care for some of the details she wove in.

What?

You've read my descriptive sex prose and think that's the pot calling the kettle black? 

No, not really. I may write some very racy, sometimes raunchy stuff, but at no point does my work read like a porn movie put into words. And yes, even though my work has been called porn (and smut) by a few, I know the difference because I actually watch porn. Perhaps, those people who called my work porn haven't ;-)

Since picking up the ebook bestseller I mentioned, I can now say I have also read very well written porn. Mistake me not, I thought it was porn and not erotica. But, let's clarify, that is only my opinion.

Would I write to this author? Never, not in a million years. She is making money hand over fist with over a dozen books out, has won numerous awards, and would laugh at me all the way to the bank. I told my husband my impressions today about her work. When I described the scenario he just about coughed up his coffee. "Holy crap, there's a whole genre of porn devoted to that angle. Almost sounds borderline fetish."

Now, before you all spit your coffee out laughing at my hypocrisy, no my husband and I are not heavy purveyors of porn. It's impossible not to know what's out there and what other people like if you happen to be searching for the stuff you like.

Case in point - our very first trip to a Hollywood Hustler (HH) store when we were in New Orleans in November. While completing my overpriced purchase, the cashier asked if I wanted a plain bag or a bag from their store. I laughed out loud. What the hell? I'm on Bourbon Street on a Saturday night at 10:30 and I'm worried what a stranger will think of an HH bag?

"Nah, you can use your bag, it not like you carry midget porn or something and I need to be embarrassed," I said.

"Actually, we do carry midget porn. But it's classic and very well done."

I turned about five shades of red and burst out laughing. Oh! That'll teach me to spout off some quip without thinking!

My point, in a round about way of explaining, is there will always be a market for stuff in erotica I would prefer not to read. Just like the huge market of the adult film industry will have thousands of titles I'd rather never, ever knew existed. Do I intend to write to the author and tell her I would have liked it better if she cut out such and such gross parts? No, I don't.

Perhaps she has a male dominated readership. Perhaps some chicks like the over the top fantasy scenarios that don't have any basis in my reality, and frankly have a bit of an ick factor for me. It's got to be floating someone's boat or it wouldn't be selling.

Back to my original statement from above -- who am I to judge? I can think of no other way to look at writing to an author with any type of criticism of their work. If it's an author I know well, I will point out typos, grammar, and plot inconsistencies if I have the time -- and if I know they would want to know and might fix the mistakes. I've also told them in emails the things I really like about their books.

But mostly, if I have good things to say, I will write a review -- even if I don't know the author. First and foremost I am a reader and if I liked something about a book, I will happily point it out for future readers. If I don't care for it and I don't know the author, I'll keep my damn mouth shut.

As an author, I will not always be able to make every reader happy. There will be those who hate my style, dislike my voice, can't stand my characters, and think my plot sucks. I accept this. But I hope with all my heart, if a reader dislikes my work to the point they'd say "hate", that they choose not to write to me and point out what they hated.

I can't please everyone and I don't plan to rewrite any book to appease an angry reader. I'd tell them to please return the book where they purchased it and get their money back-- and I'd wish them well.

How about you? What would you do if you received hate mail regarding your work? Or have you ever sent a letter to an author that was borderline hostile?