...I can't believe I'm writing this; I had to research thermodynamics.
Hee hee. I heart you.
I think your character's Eastern fetish is writable. Get a good beta. Write an author's note. Maybe see if someone on dark_agenda is willing to give it a look. I think it's possible to write the foibles of other times without buying into those foibles. One way to hang a lantern on it might be to have one character remark somewhat quizzically, on seeing the other's collection, "I wonder if Persian ladies of a certain station surround themselves with collections of English billiard balls and pin cushions...." The thing not to do is create a fantasy version of the past in which race/class/whatever problems simply don't exist, which is what astolat did, and found herself criticized for, in her crazy, self-indulgent American Idol RPF AU. But it doesn't sound to me like that's the kind of story you're telling. Your character's fetishism is a genuine character trait, not a Mary-Sueish one, i.e.: "My character is awesome and you can tell because she likes EXOTIC THINGS, not because I have actually written about her being awesome." I'm excited to read it. How could you not think I'd be excited about discussions of politics and literature? I am all over that shit.
Yes! I heard about the Age of Sail kink meme...haven't looked at it yet so I don't get distracted...
Good! I wasn't sure if people on LJ had caught wind of it. Oh, these cross-platform quandaries.
Huh! I dunno what icerocket is. You were one of the awesome people I was thinking of who's actually given me con crit. I do love con crit, and I love to see people say mean things about me on delicious.
icerocket.com is how I search for stuff (like my own name) on LJ, since LJ's search function is crap. I'm glad you liked getting my concrit. I only give it to people I'm interested in as writers, who are already doing certain things well and sound like they have cool ideas to talk about. Every so often the Feedback Debate rolls around and people quaver, "I'm so afraid to give it!" but I've never been flamed! I think most people really do appreciate it, provided you follow a few basics like, "Treat your fellow geek like a fellow geek, not a surprisingly literate beagle." But I may be self-selecting for kindred spirits.
I started to tell you I love seeing reviews of my fiction in the wild -- i.e. not meant for me -- even more than I love comments, but that's not true, because I love talking to people. But you know what I mean -- it is so interesting to see how people describe my stuff to others. It's one of the reasons I like keeping a recs page with little blurbs, not just the names and links. a) As a reader, I want to know why the reccer recced it, but b) I know the author might stop by and get a little thrill.
no subject
Hee hee. I heart you.
I think your character's Eastern fetish is writable. Get a good beta. Write an author's note. Maybe see if someone on
Yes! I heard about the Age of Sail kink meme...haven't looked at it yet so I don't get distracted...
Good! I wasn't sure if people on LJ had caught wind of it. Oh, these cross-platform quandaries.
Huh! I dunno what icerocket is. You were one of the awesome people I was thinking of who's actually given me con crit. I do love con crit, and I love to see people say mean things about me on delicious.
icerocket.com is how I search for stuff (like my own name) on LJ, since LJ's search function is crap. I'm glad you liked getting my concrit. I only give it to people I'm interested in as writers, who are already doing certain things well and sound like they have cool ideas to talk about. Every so often the Feedback Debate rolls around and people quaver, "I'm so afraid to give it!" but I've never been flamed! I think most people really do appreciate it, provided you follow a few basics like, "Treat your fellow geek like a fellow geek, not a surprisingly literate beagle." But I may be self-selecting for kindred spirits.
I started to tell you I love seeing reviews of my fiction in the wild -- i.e. not meant for me -- even more than I love comments, but that's not true, because I love talking to people. But you know what I mean -- it is so interesting to see how people describe my stuff to others. It's one of the reasons I like keeping a recs page with little blurbs, not just the names and links. a) As a reader, I want to know why the reccer recced it, but b) I know the author might stop by and get a little thrill.