Comments on: NORA 3

By: Nora

Nora — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:03:12 +0000

“Corniness is fine if one takes the characters seriously…” If I’m not mistaken, you are missing a “doesn’t” there. As for the explosive adverbs, without them, romance fiction would lose all its zest.

By: Jodi Cleghorn

Jodi Cleghorn — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:39:00 +0000

I’m not familiar with Behan so I will have to take your word on it Auggie. I am however familiar with Julia Cameron’s work, and she says the snide nasty critics, who give vague open ended criticism are themselves frustrated artists too scared to pursue their talents,and instead invest their energy in tearing down those who have the courage to pursue their dreams.

And I do stand for something – I stand for honesty and integrity – which means giving reason for both liking and hating something, and critiquing the work at hand and not the person behind it. I’d refer you to the interesting discussions Nora and I had last round on her work.

By: Kaylie Jones

Kaylie Jones — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:13:24 +0000

Seems to me that corniness is fine if the writer takes the characters seriously. Too many explosive adverbs, perhaps?

By: Nora

Nora — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:13:30 +0000

Wait one moment, Auggie. Jodi was not pandering there. In fact, she did not hesitate to pull any punches with me a week or two ago when she did not like what she read. And with her critique, she gave her reasons.

As for my piece, if it was indeed written for a sexually frustrated audience then it should be a big hit. So I’ll take that as a compliment.

By: Auggie

Auggie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:38:02 +0000

nora, there’s a good chance you wont be submitting another installment. yet i will be here commenting in near-anonymity. sorry for the cheap shot. for all i know, you’re the gorgeous wife of a gazillionaire. i’m just giving honest reactions. and your piece sounds like it was written for a sexually frustrated audience.
jody, was it behan who compared the literary critic to a eunuch in a harem? you know it when you see it, but you can’t do it. always you seek to have it both ways. stand for something. and drop the pandering.

By: Nora

Nora — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:20:26 +0000

Thank you, Jodi. For you, of all people, to come to my defense says a great deal about your character. I never thought of what I wrote as a public version of a private rant, but you are exactly right. That is a marvelous way to say it. You are correct that it may indeed play to prudishness because of its language. I don’t think I would be capable of the more pornographic variety of erotica. But I won’t rule it out. Since I am already at second base, maybe I should just keep running towards home!

You are drowning, Auggie, but have you drowned yet? If not, I will make sure to lay on the cheese whiz even thicker next time.
Nora.

By: Jodi Cleghorn

Jodi Cleghorn — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:11:18 +0000

My absolute pleasure. My best friend was an art reviewer for many years and she said the way to write a review was to work out what the artist was trying to achieve and gauge the work on that to see how successful it was.

And I won’t stand for personal attacks on any of the writers here. If you want to be critical be constructive – not everyone likes every genre or every style of writing, but base your comments on something.

I’d like to see you Tuck-Style (oh – that almost sounded very wrong!) Auggie in your next installment.

By: Jodi Cleghorn

Jodi Cleghorn — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:40:55 +0000

If you don’t like the writing Auggie – just say it and leave the cheap, personal pot shots a Nora out of it.

By: Auggie

Auggie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:02:02 +0000

boooo! i’m drowning in cheese whiz. nora, you really need to get laid.

By: Jodi Cleghorn

Jodi Cleghorn — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:02:29 +0000

While I can’t say I enjoy this genre I do have to compliment you Nora on your grasp of it. And isn’t wonderful when you can have a rather public version of a private rant on the page. Would love to see what you friend has to say when you wave those pages in his face.

I wonder though if this genre really does play to prudishness in a way though – given the heavy metaphors – say compared with erotica.

You’ve left us with a wonderful hanging moment which I am sure will see you through to the next round.