tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post1490899120845046494..comments2023-09-23T12:13:10.019+00:00Comments on December Quinn, Erotic Romance<br>Stacia Kane, Sexy Urban Fantasy: Why you should care about the RITAStaciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-22056079366016926932007-04-10T16:51:00.000+00:002007-04-10T16:51:00.000+00:00Eh, I dunno. I don't personally pay attention to a...Eh, I dunno. I don't personally pay attention to awards. Apart from the Nobels. <BR/><BR/>I have about 20 friends who do the grammy voting every year. It's all down to who you know, and who actually wants to know you. <BR/><BR/>And, kissing ass. <BR/><BR/>Awards are great when you get them, they make you feel good. But in the long run it's all subjective. <BR/><BR/>And in my experience, the people voting (not talking books, but I wouldn't be surprised if its the same) are usually clueless.<BR/><BR/>Look at that American Idol girl who was voted off and won an Oscar, for fucks sake!<BR/><BR/>Cowell's got to feel like a right twat for that one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-61446179911877580002007-04-04T12:09:00.000+00:002007-04-04T12:09:00.000+00:00Oh yes, I am a goddess. Me and the Morrighan, righ...Oh yes, I am a goddess. Me and the Morrighan, righting the wrongs. :-)Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-75861131533330544352007-04-04T11:16:00.000+00:002007-04-04T11:16:00.000+00:00oh please. you're such a total goddess, just as yo...oh please. you're such a total goddess, just as you are.Rhianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17825362911575046105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-89983217391045489562007-04-04T11:09:00.000+00:002007-04-04T11:09:00.000+00:00You're welcome, Rhian! I try to explain--but I don...You're welcome, Rhian! I try to explain--but I don't think I've been as good as I could/should be, so I will try harder. Thanks for the reminder.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Lol, Robyn! That's what it's like playing the Sex and the City trivia game with me, I'm afraid. I'm so highbrow.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-3763701634381210302007-04-04T11:06:00.000+00:002007-04-04T11:06:00.000+00:00Well thanks, V95! I agree, it seems like recogniti...Well thanks, V95! I agree, it seems like recognition from people outside the industry is more an indication that you've really touched something, doesn't it?<BR/><BR/>Right, Robyn, that's how I feel! I'd love to have one, I would, but I don't think it matters to anyone but RWA members--or SOME RWA members. And I'd never heard of the RWA until a romance writer called in to the credit card company I worked for. And even then it wasn't until I joined and started getting involved in the online romance community that I really cared. Hell, I still don't care that much. :-)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Kis, I'm not entirely certain how it works, I think it's a combination. Like, every 1000 page veiws nets something, but it's better if you click on them? But I'm not allowed to just encourage you to click indiscriminately, and I can be kicked out of the program if I do. So really, only click if something actually looks interesting.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-80105063657028412842007-04-04T03:42:00.000+00:002007-04-04T03:42:00.000+00:00I'm not even really going to comment on the RITAs....<I>I'm not even really going to comment on the RITAs. The whole thing just seems silly and self-congratulatory to me. ... It's like the highschool cheerleading squad all voting on which of them is the prettiest.</I><BR/><BR/>Hee, kis. You reminded me of a friend of mine who played Silver Screen Trivial Pursuit with me. I'm pretty good at it (which is not really something to be proud of) and was getting right answer after right answer and all happy about it, and she said, "You know, Robyn, this is kinda like watching you masterbate." :ORobynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13857307804942257484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-69416412792708542562007-04-04T01:28:00.000+00:002007-04-04T01:28:00.000+00:00Me! Me! Me! I don't care about the Rita's! Who is ...Me! Me! Me! I don't care about the Rita's! Who is she again? <BR/>Don't roll your eyes - that's about as funny as i get tonight. Took me forever to figure out what some of these writer's acronyms stood for. It was like y'all were talking in code. Fortunately given enough time and enough smacks upside the head i finally start picking up the clues. <BR/><BR/>December - you're the first i've seen in awhile explain the meaning of an acronym when using it. Thanks for not making me strain my wee brain.Rhianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17825362911575046105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-41758640296028588542007-04-03T20:04:00.000+00:002007-04-03T20:04:00.000+00:00Okay, so you put up ads, I'm good so far. But I ne...Okay, so you put up ads, I'm good so far. But I never really knew, do I actually have to click them for you to make money? And can you make more money if I just sit there and click one ad over and over, or every day? Cause, yanno, I might click more ads if I knew it was putting some scratch in the pocket of the blog owner. At this point, I mostly just ignore them.<BR/><BR/>I'm not even really going to comment on the RITAs. The whole thing just seems silly and self-congratulatory to me. Kinda like a kick-ass heroine written in first person... It's like the highschool cheerleading squad all voting on which of them is the prettiest. That attitude is why, as a girl, I used to rip the limbs off Barbie dolls.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-12244687187338514932007-04-03T18:43:00.000+00:002007-04-03T18:43:00.000+00:00You're absolutely right about one thing- I've read...You're absolutely right about one thing- I've read romances most of of my life, but I had no freaking clue about RWA or Rita or any of this crap before I started hanging out at e-Harlequin when I started to write. <BR/><BR/>Would I like to win a Rita someday? Of course I would. Will I be crushed if I don't? No. At this point, if I get published and someone actually buys the book, I will all up over the moon.Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13857307804942257484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-41381406136580715242007-04-03T15:17:00.000+00:002007-04-03T15:17:00.000+00:00I've never card too much about awards, especailly ...I've never card too much about awards, especailly awards given within an industry, to members of that industry. Being recognized by those outside your own idustry is more genuine, I believe.<BR/><BR/>Having said that, I hope you get the recognition you should get from within and without the RWA. -V95Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-68284506923930941832007-04-03T09:45:00.000+00:002007-04-03T09:45:00.000+00:00Um...it's a good song, but not my favorite Beatles...Um...it's a good song, but not my favorite Beatles song??Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-67661117738144440112007-04-03T09:44:00.000+00:002007-04-03T09:44:00.000+00:00I can't wait to read Joe Hill's book, michele! I s...I can't wait to read Joe Hill's book, michele! I saw it at Waterstone's last weekend but it's only in hardback and as money is tight...I picked up a couple of £2 classics from Penguin instead. :-) But the book looks GOOOD!<BR/><BR/>I agree, a lot of contests do feel like simply popularity contests these days, don't they? This is one reason why, sadly enough, it's difficult to trust reader voting as well, because so many fans seem to gang up and vote a million times, or whatever.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-63347111087393309412007-04-03T04:31:00.000+00:002007-04-03T04:31:00.000+00:00Lovely Rita meter maid, lovely Rita meter maidLove...Lovely Rita meter maid, lovely Rita meter maid<BR/><BR/>Lovely Rita meter maid, nothing can come between us<BR/>when it gets dark I tow your heart away<BR/>Standing by a parking meter when I caught a glimpse of Rita<BR/>Filling in the ticket in her little white book.<BR/><BR/>I the cap she looked much older<BR/>And the bag across her shoulder <BR/>made her look a little like a military man.<BR/><BR/>Lovely Rita meter maid, may I inquire discreetly,<BR/>When you are free to take some tea with me<BR/><BR/>Took her out and tried to win her,<BR/>Had a laugh and over dinner<BR/>Told her I would really like to see her again<BR/><BR/>Got the bill and Rita paid it,<BR/>Took her home and nearly made it<BR/>Sitting on a sofa with a sister or two.<BR/><BR/>Oh, lovely Rita meter maid, where would I be without you,<BR/>Give us a wink and make me think of you.<BR/><BR/>STOMP!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-84508556237220544632007-04-03T01:45:00.000+00:002007-04-03T01:45:00.000+00:00I dislike awards for so many reasons. Most recentl...I dislike awards for so many reasons. Most recently it's because there are some people who win awards because they happen to know someone and get in on something that wins it. Then they use said thing as one more reason why they're better than you. No, not everyone is like this, but I have a big personal beef with people who get things they don't earn (like writers who get a deal because they know someone, or because of nepotism). The people who deserve what they get are people who work at it. Look at Joe Hill, he kept his little secret completely secret until AFTER he had a deal for a book. (If you don't know, he is Joe Hill- King. Yup. That King. And he got a book deal on his own merits.)<BR/><BR/>Also, if you couldn't tell unfair elitism and popularity contests bring out a really vicious side in me and I prefer to not be snipy and angry all the time.<BR/><BR/>I do believe most of these awards are about friends and big names now day, not talent. Oh, and things that really are new and exciting often get left behind as "too difficult". New things make people uncomfortable so often, they pass them up.<BR/><BR/>I have a problem with "authority" because I don't think respect should be given to someone just because of their awards/position. (Respect, not professionalism.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-90023384227149891012007-04-02T22:22:00.000+00:002007-04-02T22:22:00.000+00:00It is a daunting task to come up with writing, whi...It is a daunting task to come up with writing, which will slip by subjective agents, who don't seem to care what your target audience is. We've all heard the mantra, 'it's all about the writing'. Although I believe that to be the main guideline, I am positive it ain't the only one. :)BernardLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-73603839022631371542007-04-02T20:53:00.000+00:002007-04-02T20:53:00.000+00:00No smackdown here, Cora! I agree totally. I think ...No smackdown here, Cora! I agree totally. I think you got to my point much faster than I managed to!<BR/>And thanks for the comment, I seem to recall you've been here before too right? Nice to see you again!<BR/><BR/><BR/>Wow, Jade, that's cool too. I do use Internet Explorer, because I don't know how to use anything else, despite the fact that apparently using IE marks me as a goon, someone deeply declasse with no hope of ever being special. :-) But I will see what I can do.<BR/><BR/><BR/>It is a turn-off, isn't it Rebecca? Ugh...even remembering high school turns my stomach! Hey, if we were good with people we wouldn't choose to do a job that involves staying home alone, right? Lol.<BR/>Thanks for the comment!Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-87257880515647527782007-04-02T20:48:00.000+00:002007-04-02T20:48:00.000+00:00Don't feel like that, Seeley. I was just trying to...Don't feel like that, Seeley. I was just trying to explain where I was coming from, that I wasn't like "Oooh, maybe I can make <I>millllions</I> muahahaha!"<BR/><BR/><BR/>That's true, too Paca. We know the movies in the Oscars. We don't know the nominees for Best Bluegrass Album or Best Instrumental with Goats if we don't happen to listen to that stuff. <BR/>So I guess the Ritas are sort of SAG Grammys?<BR/><BR/>That's very true, Annie, that is a fear. I'd hate to look like I was advocating any of those sites...Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-86926610433372261382007-04-02T20:45:00.000+00:002007-04-02T20:45:00.000+00:00Exactly, Anna. I'd take it if it was offered to me...Exactly, Anna. I'd take it if it was offered to me, but I wouldn't expect anyone else to care, you know?<BR/>Of course you do. Because you're awesome.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes the subjectivity of all of it is scary, isn't it Bernard? I've never really believed the whole "The industry doesn't know what's really good" stuff, but the enormity of it makes me feel widgy sometimes.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-195071892321593662007-04-02T20:31:00.000+00:002007-04-02T20:31:00.000+00:00Hey December - great post. The fact that the RITA'...Hey December - great post. The fact that the RITA's have been compared to some kind of internal popularity contest turns me completely off. <BR/><BR/>Far too much like all the unpleasant aspects of school. ERKRebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11582796689281835066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-19795402567781823162007-04-02T20:21:00.000+00:002007-04-02T20:21:00.000+00:00I don't know about Internet Explorer because I don...I don't know about Internet Explorer because I don't use it, but if you use Firefox, there is an extension (which you can find here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2007) which gives you the page rank of every website you're on, every time. It just sits down in your toolbar at the bottom of your screen. It's really quite helpful and useful.<BR/><BR/>I still vote for the ads, just in the right-hand bar, just like you suggested December. Then that way I don't have to scroll past anything; I can just ignore it if I want to. Or click on it feed your children. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Loves!<BR/><BR/>JadeJade McLyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893457288835013821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-56121386119175908462007-04-02T20:10:00.000+00:002007-04-02T20:10:00.000+00:00No one lay the smackdown on me please, but I never...No one lay the smackdown on me please, but I never really paid that much attention to the RITAs or the Golden Heart. I didn't even know what they were until I joined Romance Divas a little while back.<BR/><BR/>Everyone loves to get an award, and a little recognition from time to time. Writing is hard work, darn it! But honestly, I don't see RITAs or anything like it gaining the ground with readers they might hope, unless by some chance they decide to air a yearly award show that encompasses all book genres, and doles out awards to a very slim, select number every year based on some kind of merit system, and offered up by an unbiased panel of judges.<BR/><BR/>I mean, think about the Pulitzer - I always want to see the prize winning photo each year, etc. but I couldn't tell you a single thing about the person who took it. Sad, but true.Cora Zanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09461246984192089505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-28252100332257386292007-04-02T19:45:00.000+00:002007-04-02T19:45:00.000+00:00Meh, I vote no to ads for the simple reason you mi...Meh, I vote no to ads for the simple reason you might end up with weird shit on your blog that google thinks is appropriate. <BR/><BR/>Google also runs ads for those wackadoo fake literary agencies. I'd be straight embarrassed if that shit turned up on my site because it was "writing related."Ann Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09076423626210129278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-27937834675794136922007-04-02T19:05:00.000+00:002007-04-02T19:05:00.000+00:00I wonder if the Ritas are more like the Grammys. W...I wonder if the Ritas are more like the Grammys. With the movie industry, the major studios and some foreign ones put out about 4 movies a weekend, which gives us 200-odd movies a year. Not a really big number. Of course, tons of other movies are made by indies and such, but those are not really in the running. This means that a movie buff might really have heard of most of the movies up for an Oscar.<BR/><BR/>But with music, there are hundreds and hundreds of albums put out, and the chances are that only the extreme music buff has ever heard of more than a handful outside of their particular niche. Yeah, a hip-hop obsessed teen will know most of the hip-hop albums, but that's only one of 50 different music categories. The result is that most people don't know the music being nominated, nor do they even like that whole category.<BR/><BR/>It seems Ritas are kind of in this situation. All a Grammy says is that album X is a good example of Genre X. I read Brenda Coulter's blog and she's an inspirational romance author who was just nominated for a Rita. What this seems to say is simply that she writes good inspirational romances, so that if I wanted to read one, I could do worse than give hers a shot.<BR/><BR/><BR/>And, I'm not a fan of ads either, but if you can go out to dinner with the hubby once a month by me scrolling past the ads, go for it.pacatruehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04125048243775811714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-76176817744855539962007-04-02T18:56:00.000+00:002007-04-02T18:56:00.000+00:00Well, now I feel like a total heel...Sorry.Well, now I feel like a total heel...<BR/><BR/>Sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19623437.post-74192645842245546342007-04-02T17:56:00.000+00:002007-04-02T17:56:00.000+00:00An award by your peers is always a good thing. The...An award by your peers is always a good thing. The subjective nature of the award runs along the same lines as the agenting and publishing business. I think what we read is affected by subjective consensus in the publishing business, which in turn tries to steer writers like a herd of cattle. :) As to the ads, they won't bother me. If you can make something off the ads, go for it.BernardLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09722619048888613647noreply@blogger.com