tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post8330998231800853645..comments2023-07-21T08:25:31.951-07:00Comments on Linda L. Richards’ Blog: Sticks n’ StonesLinda L. Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05868426000807302834noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-64843456566800447172009-04-08T02:03:00.000-07:002009-04-08T02:03:00.000-07:00I'm looking forward to reading it Linda - deli...I'm looking forward to reading it Linda - delicate sensibilities & all... ;)Tarahttp://tarahanks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-66374385761952951142009-04-02T15:31:00.000-07:002009-04-02T15:31:00.000-07:00Thanks, Clea. (We must have been adding our commen...Thanks, Clea. (We must have been adding our comments at the same time!) <BR/><BR/>It's lovely to hear you enjoyed the book: coming from a writer whose work I admire as much as I do yours... well, it's really appreciated. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Again, thank all of you. As I said, though the not-so-supportive words can sting, it's lovely when they also give a writer space to stop and think. I've enjoyed this. Musing. With ya'll.Linda L. Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05868426000807302834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-1756419081984923862009-04-02T15:26:00.000-07:002009-04-02T15:26:00.000-07:00Actually, I love hearing from readers. Always. So,...Actually, I love hearing from readers. Always. So, you're right Kaye: thank you to all of you for taking the time to stop by and say "Hey."<BR/><BR/>And I'm actually not dismayed that some people might find, well... aspects of any of my books offensive on some level. I should explain that (it sounded a bit funny the way I said that!). When I'm writing, I never think "will someone be offended by that?" and stop. In fact, I think there's been a part of the pre-publication process on all of my books when someone -- an editor, a copyeditor, a friend -- said "Whoa! You should change that. It will offend someone" and I've opted not to change it. My argument -- and I'm sure I've said it in this space before -- is that I want to avoid writing books that are nothing but pudding. And it strikes me that pleasing everyone is a sure way of making pudding books. So some people will always be offended by <I>something</I>. And that's okay. In fact, in a certain way, I guess I think that's good. But with this book... well, there's just been more than usual, I guess because it touches on some fairly controversial topics.<BR/><BR/>Thanks to everyone for their input!Linda L. Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05868426000807302834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-41805837772844189122009-04-02T15:21:00.000-07:002009-04-02T15:21:00.000-07:00Personally, I loved the book. I felt that it rang ...Personally, I loved the book. I felt that it rang true. I'm not saying it WAS true -- Linda did the research, i didn't. But I believed everything as it was presented and that is what makes a good book. (And from what I do know about, say, Errol Flynn, I believe the bisexuality of the characters would have been accepted, as long as it was somewhat closeted. And I didn't feel any religion was attacked - I felt that an activist branch of a religion that wanted to impose itself on the rest of the country was implicated, and rightly.) <BR/><BR/>In brief, the world as it was presented made sense with what little I know, and certainly in the context of the fictional world, and so I think the book is a resounding success.<BR/><BR/>I also think it is a sign of that success that some people are arguing about accuracy of this fictional world. In other words, they bought it, too. So I say it worked as historical fiction, and let those who don't like it read something else.Clea Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810838253598050028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-91347023975951034322009-04-02T14:41:00.000-07:002009-04-02T14:41:00.000-07:00Jena - that is exactly what it sounds like, doesn'...Jena - that is exactly what it sounds like, doesn't it? <BR/><BR/>Anonymous - you are absolutely most assuredly welcome to your opinion, and I would (as would Linda Richards) fight anyone who said differently. I have a way of dealing with books I find offensive - which you, on the other hand might find to be just your cup of tea. I don't read them. All books written just simply aren't going to be universally loved.<BR/><BR/>This is just a personal aside. Personally? I think it's tacky to come to an author's blog and say she's written an offensive book. And then sign it "anonymous." I'm just saying . . . <BR/><BR/>BUT. On the other hand. A little bit of controversy will ALWAYS bode well, I think for the author, so I should just shut up and let Linda Richards say "Thank You!"Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-33441578129903650132009-04-02T13:30:00.000-07:002009-04-02T13:30:00.000-07:00There was much to be offended by in the book under...There was much to be offended by in the book under discussion. I was surprised at how casually the homosexuality of two major characters was taken. When I read those parts of the book that dealt with the relationship of those characters it made me think that that would not have been the case at that time. The fact that an organized religion was pointed at as a "bad guy" made alarm bells go off for me too. Yes I Was one of those who are probably meant as having written in this note but this is a very offensive book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27304845.post-88460176853519022172009-04-02T12:29:00.000-07:002009-04-02T12:29:00.000-07:00"Some ax to grind with the church"? Yeesh. Sounds ..."Some ax to grind with the church"? <BR/><BR/>Yeesh. Sounds like a reader who only wants the truth to fit her version of it.<BR/><BR/>I think the best books are the ones that challenge us to think, to question our views and beliefs, to consider different sides, and hopefully reach the end with new understanding. Sometimes what we learn isn't pleasant, or flattering. But smart readers will keep reading and keep learning, and good writers will keep challenging and pushing.<BR/><BR/>Sounds like you're doing it right. Keep it up.Jenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133037809772078659noreply@blogger.com