tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52364159500107393.post4157802000394131618..comments2024-01-30T07:43:33.927-08:00Comments on The Ninja Librarian: Who are you like?Rebecca M. Douglasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52364159500107393.post-57609815267687002092012-12-22T15:25:27.463-08:002012-12-22T15:25:27.463-08:00That's the dilemma, isn't it? Helpful dis...That's the dilemma, isn't it? Helpful distinctions, but sound pretentious and overblown. Though I might have it easier, comparing myself to a 70-year-old bit of nonsense and a contemporary writer of many, many books with more amusement value than literary value. Still--I can only wish I could do it as well as they do! Maybe I could get away with "Historical fiction, but more in the spirit of "Centerburg Tales" than "Gone with the Wind" (though come to think of it the former is only historical because it's been 70 years since it was written. Back then, it was contemporary fiction. I think.).Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52364159500107393.post-19630846580774266272012-12-22T05:58:53.616-08:002012-12-22T05:58:53.616-08:00This worried me also - sounds like pretention and ...This worried me also - sounds like pretention and bragging and makes me uncomfortable. However, I've seen it recommended by several 'authorities'. It is supposed to guide your readers in making choices. As in 'it's more like Stephen King than Bram Stoker if you like horror stroies'.<br /><br />I was once told by a writer's group friend that something I wrote was like an author I admired. He prefaced it by 'now don't take this wrong - it's not as good as...' But what he said was true enough and I had not noticed. So, I got guidance without getting swell-headed. Maybe a potential reader would look a little closer if he or she liked that kind of fiction. Still, how do you draw a distinction between a script that's like, say, Shakespeare and not like Tennesee Williams even when you want your audience to know that? Like Rebecca said, it would be discounted (and rejected) as hype. I don't like that even from a publisher generally but I will admit I have taken closer looks for having read that kind of blurb. Of course I've also rejected books out of hand after seeing those comparisons on the cover.<br /><br />Happy holidaysSteven Malonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52364159500107393.post-6592802476382803772012-12-20T08:12:04.965-08:002012-12-20T08:12:04.965-08:00I feel like you. Too well trained not to boast. ...I feel like you. Too well trained not to boast. I do find it helpful when a book is compared to another I know. . . by a third party. When the author says it (which includes book blurbs), my tendency is to discount it, as it usually sounds like hype.<br /><br />And have some grand holidays yourself!Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52364159500107393.post-39137042707835255132012-12-20T03:57:58.564-08:002012-12-20T03:57:58.564-08:00Wonderful article, Rebecca! Hmmm...yeah, I don'...Wonderful article, Rebecca! Hmmm...yeah, I don't mind if a reviewer were to say it, but for me to say stuff like that about my own work feels too boastful. I participated in a Next Big Thing hop about my WIP and it asked for a comparison. I was at a loss. Although I know books that it's similar to, I wasn't going to place myself in those circles...I'll let someone else do it.<br /><br />I'm going around to all of the wonderful blogs today to wish you a Merry Christmas (and they're ALL wonderful, otherwise I wouldn't follow). Have a safe and happy holiday, Rebecca!<br /><br />Peace,<br />ML<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064990883097071040noreply@blogger.com