Considering the Things I’ve Seen in Hate Mail…
Last year George R. R.
Martin missed his New Year’s deadline, meaning that the sixth book would not be
out before the next season of the television show. He’s upset, his fans are
upset, but apparently his editors were pretty forgiving about it. Of course,
they have the experience to know it’s not like anything can be done about it
now.
In the same week as this
announcement I came across a few harsh words said to less famous authors about
their series. One author posted an angry response to her announcement of a
short Christmas book instead of the next installment of her series.
If you read about the
controversy of writing and publishing fast like many self-publishers do, a lot
of fans discuss how they don’t want to wait several years for the next book,
and how they prefer series to come out fast.
Someone asked Neil Gaiman
about Martin’s missing of the deadline, and if Martin was deliberately avoiding
discussing its progress. Do readers have the right to complain?
No, answers Gaiman. No,
says Anne Rice. No says the myriad of authors on Facebook. “George R. R. Martin
isn’t your bitch.” You can’t force an artist to create.
Personally, I’m a bit
conflicted.
I do feel like I owe my
readers something. It’s more complicated than just adhering to their demands
and, in fact, a writer has to behave like a parent at times, knowing what their
child needs versus what they want. It doesn’t mean that a writer should produce
something he’s not happy with, and many readers should recognize that they
don’t always know what is going on with a writer—his life or his process.
As many writers will tell
you, sometimes you just can’t work on a book. Sometimes you need to take a
break. In my case, it helps for me to keep up with the routine of writing every
day even when I’m struggling to get a few words out on a page. Sometimes
completing something else will inspire you to finish the first. And, even if
you do work by a schedule, inspiration is still important—your best work always
comes from what you were excited to do, what came freely to your mind. If you
had waited on that other project, it often wouldn’t been as good as it once
was.
But that doesn’t mean
readers don’t have the right to ask.
In the case of the writer
who received a very harsh note from an agitated fan, I don’t believe it was
appropriate for the fan to state her grievances like that, but I also think it
was poor form for the writer to post the comment for everyone to see,
especially while leaving the name of the commenter up. I got this
“blacklisting” vibe.
Unlike most hate mail,
this person truly was a fan. She was excited and disappointed that the story
was not out yet, and from her perspective, it seemed like, “Why the hell are
you wasting time on this fluffy piece of meaningless holiday crap?” It’s a disrespectful,
but understandable feeling.
Personally, I generally
avoid self-published series until after they’re done. So many of them are never
completed. It’s typical enough that the book is more of an incomplete slice and
couldn’t function as a satisfying standalone, so it’s not worth the
frustration. I see many authors put out their first in a serial then complain
when no one buys it, threatening to never make the next one because no one
cares. Well, I bought it, I read it, I care. It can be emotionally upsetting to
want the sequel and have the writer procrastinate, especially when they might
not finish all together.
The author didn’t have to
let herself be talked to in that manner; she would have been fine ignoring her.
But she could have understood where the fan was coming from and recognize that
she is, in fact, a fan. A polite response probably would have elicited more snottiness
(how can a person explain her without sounding like she’s making excuses?) yet
that doesn’t mean that the commenter is an enemy. She’s just upset and voicing
her feelings. I believe as writers we have to take the high road and remember
that we’re putting people’s emotions in our hands, getting the bad with the
good.
What readers should
remember is that you don’t know what goes on behind the scenes, and should
speculate on the superficial reasons why Martin missed his deadline when it’s
probably a mixed bag of reasons. Martin was always a slow writer, and his books
are large. Four years is actually his average to get an installment published.
Many people cite his newfound fame as a reason—he’s now enjoying the limelight
instead of writing. Possible, just as likely as it is those newfound responsibilities of fame that could
factor in. And I know from personal experience, a change in routine can be
highly disruptive to your productivity.
I absolutely agree with
Gaiman on the point that Martin is not a machine and he is not contracted to
his readers to write every moment of every day. He deserves a life too, and
more to the point, he needs it. No one can write in a box. Even a fantasy
author who seems to be making everything up is still taking from his own
experiences. We hate Joffrey because we know people like him. We care about
their problems because, even though it’s magical, dramatized, and wondrous,
they are pains and concerns we deal with every day.
There is a lot to be said
for giving a writer slack. It doesn’t do him any good to miss his own deadline.
If he could write quality books of that size faster, he’d be the most to be
benefit. Sending rude and angry messages might make him feel more pressure to
dedicate himself, but it is a cruel and undesirable side of humanity. Hate mail
would be better off if it didn’t exist at all, and I think everyone needs to
make an effort to consider their words carefully before sending someone a
disparaging letter to try and punish them for their perceived improper
behavior.
But do you have a right to
ask for updates? Yes, if you feel it is important. If you feel it will help. Do
you think your favorite author might not be working on the book they should be?
First remember that screwing around is a means to incubate ideas, that living
makes ideas, and that how they work might not make sense to you but it doesn’t
mean they’re not working. You only know a part of the story. Will telling them
you want the next one make them work quicker? Possibly, but more likely it is a
catharsis for your anger. Before sending out a letter in anger, always chose
your words carefully, productively, and remember that writers really are just
human and they probably feel bad as it is.
In the same vein that it
can be disheartening to upset your fans, there is some merit to hearing what
they have to say. Knowing that they do care about the next book, being asked
for what they’d like to see more of on your blog, and just letting them vent
out their issues. How fast an artist works is complicated and somewhat
flexible, but it is still their process and not to be judged from an outsider’s
point of view, especially if they love the resulting product.
Readers have the right to
be upset and even voice their concerns, but we should reserve judgment and
harsh comments just like in any other situation.
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