Ira's Blog

Recently I came across the contribution of a blogger which had really appealed to me, since I haven’t been here long. It was good and important to learn what’s going on "behind the scenes" of the blogger world, but I think it runs from the same anywhere, whether in business, or in larger group mergers. I was certainly not deterred, because I'd rather stick to the good examples. From the view of a writer, I can really tell a lot.

I noticed on the contribution that the author believes in the “big family”. I also believe in that. The ideal situation would be that there is cohesion, solidarity and collegiality and that we deal honestly, respectfully with each other and are cooperative to support each other. The article speaks to both sides, bloggers as well as authors. And since I’m on both sides, blog what I’d barely bring in my books, I can give you some wonderful, but also strange examples. I’m aware of the risk that I might feed me a slate, but I also feel that I might also speak some from the soul.

From the perspective of the author, that's what I’m for a longer time, I can look back on many things. I have great friends who also write and I have a good and warm relationship. It’s great to share thoughts, ideas, give feedback and hints to help each other and to talk with someone about how the new novel is going on. To whom will you talk otherwise and who understands you? I have also friends who aren’t authors, but who support me, are well-meaning critical and I in doubt I ask them about their opinion and get their assistance when it comes to facts or to ensure the accuracy of a name, or the pronunciation of a word. Luckily, and I’m blessed.

Again I’d like to quote the “big family” for the authors, as the word “family” has something . That’s where you feel to belong to, are part of a community that has its own interest. The interest of the family of the “minor” writers - so we all who haven’t placed our works in any major book publisher , and only have a small publishing house, or are self- publishers - should be a shared, a different way to go and to be free with our creativity. This other way isn’t the easiest , the author does everything alone, goes to the papers, goes to the bookstores, shares on Facebook, is in the social networks , blogs, and organizes the own readings. I also know the groups in the social networks that are based on a well-intentioned idea of an author to support each other, but there’s hardly anything out there and so you’re again planning your next reading on your own. The will to the family would be there, but unfortunately, it often runs in the sand. Will you rely on someone else to do you a favor?

Nitty gritty co-operation. I have never heard that there’s a rule among writers to work against each other. But unfortunately I’ve experienced it. Can it be that a certain rivalry begins when it comes to the quality of the reviews and the number of book sales? Is there a sectarian thinking, which is limited to the particular genre? On the contrary, I’m happy that men enjoy reading my books. But I don’t think in those genres and grab the colleagues in drawers. I prefer no borders and limits, because that’s counterproductive. Perhaps it’s also due to the shallowness of the business, and so it’s in every business where people are creative, whether in film, on stage, in art or in fashion. That’s too bad. Some colleagues have a huge urge to communicate, post incessantly self-promotion and every single review. Nice to have a review and even better if it comes along with 5 stars. If author X has published a new novel, wonderful and you can only wish good luck. But braggart and infomercials aren’t popular always and everywhere. Is it any wonder that self-promotion is no longer requested in many forums? I can understand it.

I’ve noticed a special paragraph in the blogger’s contribution. She writes from the other side of the coin, the authors and the bloggers. What I’ve read has wrested me a shake of the head. It’s embarrassing when authors offend bloggers, because they get a bad review, or because they get the answer that blogger A has no time to read the book. Maybe opposing views are colliding?

I want to anticipate that thanks to the cooperation with bloggers other options were open and I’ve won new readers. I’ve got nice and interesting contacts with bloggers and appreciate them very much. It goes beyond reviews and interviews. I had a living room reading at a blogger’s home , which was well received by all. The atmosphere was solved by more informal discussions and to meet new people. Such ideas should continue to live, because it takes more than the familiar, namely creativity and individuality. But I also know that it's now become more difficult to attract an audience. Either it rains, the sun shines , it’s Sunday or Monday,  Olympics or couch - how will you motivate people? My appreciation for those who continue to make it and believe in their ideas.

When I read that bloggers are offended by authors, I remembered the case of another blogger. Last year, I read on Facebook that she wanted to give up her blog, because she was insulted by authors for critical reviews. A bad review is the nightmare of every author. Who wants to read that the book is crap? Authors have a very deep, almost personal connection to their stories. You’d imagine that during writing, a very close relationship with the main characters develops and continues to evolve the fate and the stories of these characters in every spare second. It’s rather hard to explain to outsiders how much an author depends on the process, puts it into the heart and the soul in the truest sense. But for all the empathy, it’s just one opinion of many, and the tastes are different after all. What I can understand is when an author doesn’t want to be understood and is annoyed. No, I don’t want to subject any bloggers or critics to write sweeping reviews  and I think most will write detailed and fair reviews.

Fortunately I’ve stayed spared from bad reviews so far. But my worst experience with a blogger was the following: I wrote to that lady, after I had read that they reviewed historical novels with “unusual plot locations”. “Wonderful,” I thought to myself, I’ve got a historical novel with an unusual plot location, pretty little Estonia. Then she wrote me back, and I’ve rarely pitied someone like this lady. “Dear Ira ,” she answered. “ ... I don’t like something like that and I’m not interested in Russia either. I hope you’re not angry, but I don’t want to read such books, because I don’t think you want a bad review just because I’m not so interested in the topic. That’s what I want to avoid.” All right, Estonia is Russia ... Maybe I should have slept during geography lessons, too. She told me that she had an aversion to people coming from “those countries”. Now my question: How much tolerance does it take for intolerance and racism? If she advertises on her blog to read “novels with unusual plot places,” she’d better open the window and let the fresh air of 21 century in. Her bad review would have been interesting to read.

I’m both, blogger and author. After my experience I’d like to give authors the opportunity to present themselves and their work , and implement what I’ve written in this post. I think still further to the respective family and think it's time to meet the indicative spirit. It’s time to support.