Comments for Speak Its Name

Comment on Review: The Absolutist by John Boyne by Erastes

Erastes — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:19:12 +0000

it’s the level of self-loathing that stands out–a case of a quick fumble and then “ew get away from me” Tristan debases himself wanting to be friends with someone like that–it is deeper than that–but considering T seemed to be clued up on his sexuality (more Stu-ness) it wouldnt have killed the author to have him live a more pleasant life–even Brokeback had some happy. this had zero.

Comment on Review: The Absolutist by John Boyne by octobercountry

octobercountry — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:10:09 +0000

All right, the “dead, suffering gays” bit has put me off the book entirely—this is one I’ll skip.

Nowadays I prefer to read material which, if not exactly complete with a “happy ever after” ending, is at least considerably more positive and upbeat. I’ve totally had it with stories where the gay guy has to be unhappy or conflicted or unfulfilled his for his entire life, and can’t be bothered with them.

Comment on Review: The Walled Garden by F.M. Parkinson by Anne

Anne — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:54:48 +0000

That (using surnames or first names only) is what I am referring to.

I noticed (with the author I am talking about), because she used to write gay fiction with a judicious, perfectly fine mixture of name, one well-chosen epithet per character and nifty structure: wonderful, individual, just right.

This month I read her latest work and she sticks to names-only, so much that I came across them like 20-30 times per page. Yes, I knew what was taking place, thank you. No, the many repetitions did not vanish into invisibility like ‘he said, she said.’ They stuck out and they always stick out to me.

When I looked closer she had adapted to several of the allegedly ‘absolutely necessary writing rules’ and I guess she ended up with a new editor who works by the book.

I don’t say a hundred tacky epithets are great. Please don’t get me wrong! But we look down upon them (as on e.g. adverbs or ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’ or on metaphors etc.) only since very recently. These all are no objective errors. Squashing everything ‘just because’ does disservice to those writers with a talented, individual voice.

Just my personal opinion of course, but I’ve been reading a lot lately, and I have become disenchanted with books which sound as if they all have been written by the same central sweat shop.

This also wasn’t meant as any disagreement with your review, I haven’t even read this particular book. It’s just that yours was the umpteenth time I read about ‘epithets should be eradicated’ and realised why I suddenly disliked the work of an author I used to adore.

So please, I’m sorry to state this so baldly and out of order.

Comment on Review: The Walled Garden by F.M. Parkinson by Erastes

Erastes — Sun, 27 May 2012 11:49:34 +0000

I’m not saying it’s a rule not to use epithets, but I can’t handle there being so many people in a two-person scene that you think extra people have wandered in off the street. It would have been a much cleaner read if the author had just stuck to the surnames–I think it’s more rife in gay fiction because people worry that “he” and “he” is going to be confusing, but that’s easily dealt with with careful writing and editing.

I’m not condemning it, I’d certainly read this author again.

Comment on Review: The Walled Garden by F.M. Parkinson by Anne

Anne — Sun, 27 May 2012 10:27:27 +0000

Unfortunately, along with the innocence regarding epithets so many authors also lose their own voice and become quite generic.

Just recently so noticed with someone who used to be a very delightful, young British author. Now she reads bland, americanised, sanitised – and ultimately very uninteresting. She used to be an automatic buy for me, I’m much less into her books now.

Read one, you read them all. Once authors go down the route of rules they lose their sparkle these days.

I’ve no recipe, except maybe to not condemn things outright.

Comment on Review: The Amethyst Cat Caper by Charlie Cochet by Sirius

Sirius — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:31:35 +0000

Now I do, before I did not. Thank you.

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Winner! by kaisquared

kaisquared — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:11:11 +0000

I missed your post among the 275 (I only made it to 25, tried to go with the ones I had never visited before, getting ready for kid’s graduation and limited hopping time) Congrats on being part of such a successful hop!

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:02:23 +0000

Thank you for the post on such a great cause. I loved the hop.

peggy1984@live.con

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by jessica

jessica — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:50:59 +0000

thank u for the wonderful poem~
jesisca
jessica_klang(at)hotmail(dot)com

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by enyce122

enyce122 — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:48:10 +0000

Thanks for joinging the hop and thanks for sharing
red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Anna

Anna — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:11:08 +0000

Thanks for participating!!

annawelch23456@hotmail.com

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Layladawna

Layladawna — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:30:35 +0000

Great poem, I’ve read so many great post the last few days thanks to the hop!

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Erica Pike

Erica Pike — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:27:42 +0000

Thanks so much for taking part That’s a beautiful poem.

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Erastes

Erastes — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:36:15 +0000

yes, and just as well, or Bosie would have ended up in prison too, most likely!

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Joan

Joan — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:23:58 +0000

Just lovely. It says it all without mentioning the beloved identity.

0401romance(at)gmail(dot)com

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Juliana

Juliana — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:59:06 +0000

Thanks so much for that lovely poem that just shows how far behind we are, that that was written so long ago and people are still treated the same way.
OceanAkers@aol.com

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by Hope

Hope — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Thank you the poem it’s very fitty for the hop!

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by L.M. Brown

L.M. Brown — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:27:58 +0000

I knew that particular phrase was from a poem but had never read the poem itself until today. Thank you for sharing it for the blog hop, it is very fitting.

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by darienmoya

darienmoya — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:25:02 +0000

Thanks for particpating and the beautiful poem. I also love that pic.

Comment on Hop Against Homophobia – Speak Its Name by bsnowwriter

bsnowwriter — Sat, 19 May 2012 23:47:33 +0000

Heartbreaking poem. Perfect for this hop, though, and your post makes me proud to be a member of the group. (And as such, please leave my name out of the drawing — just stopping by to check out the Hop posts.)