You know, I've wondered about this same thing from time to time. When I read a book, I really only want to think about the story and the characters and not about the "man behind the curtain." However, there are many books I might not have ever even heard about or picked up had it not been for the cyber-buzz surrounding it.
I bet Daphne isn't on facebook. hee hee. =) j/k I think in this business you have to network, just to get your name out there and be connected with the writing community.
It's safe to say I do not agree with her on this one. I find writers to be some of the most intelligent and interesting people to chat with, so missing out on all that would be a tragedy. I understand her intent, but still...
Very true Carolyn - and good point Eric. I actually really enjoy reading writers' blogs and hearing them speak about various aspects of the business. Doing it myself gets a bit overwhelming at times :D but I do like that other writers do it.
Just goes to show how different the industry is now then when Ms. du Maurier was writing. Which is why I found the quote so interesting LOL I think a writer can still be successful "being seen but not heard" but I think it's more difficult and somewhere along the way, they are going to be put on display whether they like it or not.
Look at Stephanie Meyer for instance. I don't think anyone had heard of her before Twilight hit the shelves. She didn't have a blog or website, etc (that I'm aware of, I could be wrong) beforehand. But after Twilight Mania, I've seen her everywhere from a website to MTV interviews :)
Shelley, I know exactly what you mean. When I'm reading a book, I want to get so sucked into the story I forget I don't live in that world. And at the same time, many of my favorite books I would never have picked up if I hadn't met the author or read about the book or author somewhere.
Which is one of the reasons I found this quote so interesting. I read it and thought "Oh, that so wouldn't work today" LOL I know a big online presence isn't technically a necessity, but it's getting close :)
I interpret this as referencing author intrusion in a manuscript. That the words should stand on their own and the hand of the author should be indiscernible.
I'm with Stephanie on this one. My crit. partner calls me on it every time I overstep as the author and intrude on the story. It jars the reader when we do.
Yeah, we're definitely expected to be in the light more. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the days of crazy-kook-in-a-cabin but then I remember how much fun it is to be around other writers. And that makes me happy.
11 comments:
You know, I've wondered about this same thing from time to time. When I read a book, I really only want to think about the story and the characters and not about the "man behind the curtain." However, there are many books I might not have ever even heard about or picked up had it not been for the cyber-buzz surrounding it.
It is a dilemma.
Shelley
I bet Daphne isn't on facebook. hee hee. =) j/k I think in this business you have to network, just to get your name out there and be connected with the writing community.
It's safe to say I do not agree with her on this one. I find writers to be some of the most intelligent and interesting people to chat with, so missing out on all that would be a tragedy. I understand her intent, but still...
Very true Carolyn - and good point Eric. I actually really enjoy reading writers' blogs and hearing them speak about various aspects of the business. Doing it myself gets a bit overwhelming at times :D but I do like that other writers do it.
Just goes to show how different the industry is now then when Ms. du Maurier was writing. Which is why I found the quote so interesting LOL I think a writer can still be successful "being seen but not heard" but I think it's more difficult and somewhere along the way, they are going to be put on display whether they like it or not.
Look at Stephanie Meyer for instance. I don't think anyone had heard of her before Twilight hit the shelves. She didn't have a blog or website, etc (that I'm aware of, I could be wrong) beforehand. But after Twilight Mania, I've seen her everywhere from a website to MTV interviews :)
oops, that should say "being read but not seen or heard" :)
Shelley, I know exactly what you mean. When I'm reading a book, I want to get so sucked into the story I forget I don't live in that world. And at the same time, many of my favorite books I would never have picked up if I hadn't met the author or read about the book or author somewhere.
Which is one of the reasons I found this quote so interesting. I read it and thought "Oh, that so wouldn't work today" LOL I know a big online presence isn't technically a necessity, but it's getting close :)
Interesting. Not sure which way I lean on this.
I interpret this as referencing author intrusion in a manuscript. That the words should stand on their own and the hand of the author should be indiscernible.
I'm with Stephanie on this one. My crit. partner calls me on it every time I overstep as the author and intrude on the story. It jars the reader when we do.
hahaha...that's why I write so I don't have to be seen or heard!
Yeah, we're definitely expected to be in the light more. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the days of crazy-kook-in-a-cabin but then I remember how much fun it is to be around other writers. And that makes me happy.
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