Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Good Intentions, but...

"It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

Today I was going to blog about how I sometimes tire of sex being what sells the most, in the romance/women's fiction world of writing. But I don't really have the energy.

Then I thought, well, maybe I'll talk about the rock wall I'm rebuilding by hand - it runs along the back of our lawn, at the edge of the woods, and, like every other rock wall in this area, was used by farmers to mark property lines way back when. Except yesterday I dropped this really heavy rock on my middle finger of my right hand, and it's kind of hard to type with a finger that's black and blue and swollen to twice its size.

So instead I'll just say that I started a fascinating book this weekend: She's Not There, by Jennifer Finney Boylan. It's the memoir of the Colby College English Chair...who spent his entire life feeling "wrong" and so went through a sex change. Now he's a woman. It's gotten some great reviews, and I really can't wait to read it.


Hey, has anyone out there used http://www.goodreads.com/? One friend told me it's considered the new MySpace of book promotion. One more thing to add to my list...

10 comments:

Marianne Arkins said...

I have to agree on the sex thing...but you know what's interesting? I have a BUNCH of reviewers looking for "sweet" reads to review, and we get almost none. Makes me wonder: do people who read "sweet" or otherwise not terribly sexy books NOT buy books? Is that why it seems that sex drives the market? Because nearly everyone I know prefers books low on sex and high on plot.

And, Goodreads--I've gotten a bunch of invites from people who have joined. Yeah, adding it my list of things to do. Gah.

Hope your finger gets better soon! Ow.

Diane Craver said...

Well, I've read that the two hottest lines selling in romance are erotic romance and inspirational romance. I'm going to start an inspirational romance soon, but it's hard for me to write with all the restrictions the big NY publishers have for this line.

BTW, Avon Inspire started last summer because of women buying inspirational romances.

Devon Gray said...

Hi Allie- I hope your finger is better soon! I am sure that slows down your writing a bit. Personally, I like a lot of heat in my romance, but I also like a lot of emotion. I am close to completing my erotic novella and I have struggled with language that is expressive but not graphic. My writing background is in poetry, and because of this I chose to write this novella in the first person. The main character's reflections are, well, poetic in nature so I can't just throw in some "colorful" words during the sex scenes! I'm 8000 words from the end and I've managed to make it so far, so hopefully I won't run out of creative ways to express what I want to say.

I haven't checked out Goodreads. I have found that since I have started working with FAR and am now also editing, books outside of my reviewing responsibility have fallen by the way side. The good thing? When I do pick a book off the shelf and sit down with it, it becomes even more of a treat!

Ashley said...

Hi Allie,

I love your blog but must admit that I'm one of those lurkers that you always mention. Sorry about that. I just never feel like I have anything worth saying.

I have, however, joined goodreads.com. I haven't been on too long. There are quite a few authors on there promoting their books with good reviews and recommendations.
I'm not sure how well it's working for them, but it's free so I guess it can't hurt.

Well, glad I finally thought of a comment to make.

Ashley

Anonymous said...

Ouch!
Hope your finger gets better soon. Must be difficult with it being your right hand.

windycindy said...

I don't care for the sexy books! I hope that makes you feel a little better. Your finger makes me hurt just reading about it! I hope it heals quickly.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I haven't had a chance to check out goodreads, but I plan on it.

Allie Boniface said...

Hi Ashley - I'm glad you came out of lurkdom to post today! Though I don't mind my lurkers at all...probably 'cause I tend to be one at my favorite blogs sometimes too!

Dru said...

Thanks for the heads-up on Goodreads.

I hope the finger feels better.

Laski said...

I think some of the sex in romance reads really turn me off (not the intention, I'm sure). I love ROMANCE, a good story, great characters. Even as an English teacher with a discerning eye for well written stories (even if I can't write it, I feel I can spot it), I am fairly easy to please. I'm in complete agreement with Marianne. I'm one of those people who loves a good story with a sweet, not too mushy, romance.

Let us know if you decide to join Goodreads (as well as how it works out for you!).