I’m just not interested in writing about miserable people (I see misery as something that you let your circumstances do to you). Even the main character of one book that I’m working on, starving and weak as she is, isn’t emotionally miserable once she’s no longer alone. Neither is her adopted family even though they are fleeing a war. Maybe it’s just me?
As for the other, people actually DO read books (and even comic books and manga) to find meaning in their lives. As sad as it is there was this thread on one forum I go to where this one fellow was going on and on — as if it were a point of theology or philosophy — that since Transformers (yes, the Transformers) were shown with the physical appearance of gender, and since gender is inseparable connected to sexuality (his line of reasoning), therefore the TFs were behaving like bunnys off screen. He would argue from endless and diverse “canon” sources as if quoting the Council of Nicea of Plato’s Dialogues.
Of course, some of the Japanese TF stuff was really strange so I could see (but not agree) where he would get such bizarre notions and maybe actually feel they were important enough to write dozens of long post. In particular there is this quote from the Wiki:
“The series derives its name from its (controversial) gimmick, which involves Transformers getting “power-ups” when they are kissed by human girls - the eponymous ‘Kiss Players’ - who fuse with the robots and share their adventures. Although this plotline may seem like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is said that this line was aimed at a much older (and creepier) adult male audience. Indeed, the toys bear an ‘ages 15 and up’ warning, and the subject matter of the accompanying manga is far from child-friendly.”
Personally, I like my much more philosophical take based on The Abolition of Man and other sources (which is to say that the subtext isn’t fully a fanfic of the TFs).
Heather, you use this term ‘intended audience’ as if you’re not in it.
Ruic, I read your first paragraph, and all I remember is ’starving and weak’, ‘emotionally miserable’, and ‘fleeing a war’.
I’m not sure I understand your point about looking for meaning, in the context of someone who is convinced that the Transformers go at it like the Energizer Bunny when they’re not busy Greco-Robot wrestling each other. The only meaning in Transformers is ‘Buy More Stuff’.
That’s about as close as I ever want to get to a discussion of what I will term ‘pedo-manga’. Anyone who isn’t already familiar with the tortured sexuality of (some) Japanese comics and animation is in for a rude shock.
I agree that Japanese comics can be waaaaay over the top if not plain bizarre (”tortured” is a good word, “rude shock” is just adequate). And I’m sorry if I stepped over some line by even quoting the Wiki about some of said strangeness. As for said comics, avoidance is the best policy where I’m concerned.
As for looking for meaning, when someone goes overboard with being a “fan” of anything and ‘aspires’ to be a true “fanatic”, that is when I think they start looking the meaning of life, the universe, and everything in the subject for their devotion. I’ve always viewed the willingness to argue bizarre topics on the basis of fandom minutiae a symptom of this condition.
Maybe this demotivator needs a companion piece that shows a guy camping out in a comics shop to the obvious annoyance of the staff with a phrase that begins: “Fanboys, on the other hand …”.
Sigh … I just noticed some typos in both of my post above.
Here’s another demotivator you might consider.
The picture shows someone inspecting their box full of self-published hardback fiction. He/she has the book that they were so proud of (until moments ago) open to the first chapter. A look of disbelief and shock is spread across his/her face. There could be some samples of “how did I miss that?” bad editing scattered here and there.
The phrase: “The last edit you do is one edit too few.” (my personal motto)
(This actually happened to me after coming home from Kinkos once. Thankfully, only two tape bound copies were involved.)
My favorite cliche - fantasy writers who are also fencers. Seems every fantasy writer these days is also a fencer… no wonder many of the fantasy books I’ve been reading are filled with pages of detailed swordfights… thrust, parry, etc. I’ve started to tone way down on my fantasy reading as a result.
![[Logo]](/images/101ReasonsLogo.png "101 Reasons to Stop Writing")
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Too cerebral. Your intended audience won’t get it.
I’m just not interested in writing about miserable people (I see misery as something that you let your circumstances do to you). Even the main character of one book that I’m working on, starving and weak as she is, isn’t emotionally miserable once she’s no longer alone. Neither is her adopted family even though they are fleeing a war. Maybe it’s just me?
As for the other, people actually DO read books (and even comic books and manga) to find meaning in their lives. As sad as it is there was this thread on one forum I go to where this one fellow was going on and on — as if it were a point of theology or philosophy — that since Transformers (yes, the Transformers) were shown with the physical appearance of gender, and since gender is inseparable connected to sexuality (his line of reasoning), therefore the TFs were behaving like bunnys off screen. He would argue from endless and diverse “canon” sources as if quoting the Council of Nicea of Plato’s Dialogues.
Of course, some of the Japanese TF stuff was really strange so I could see (but not agree) where he would get such bizarre notions and maybe actually feel they were important enough to write dozens of long post. In particular there is this quote from the Wiki:
“The series derives its name from its (controversial) gimmick, which involves Transformers getting “power-ups” when they are kissed by human girls - the eponymous ‘Kiss Players’ - who fuse with the robots and share their adventures. Although this plotline may seem like a shift in demographics to little girls, it is said that this line was aimed at a much older (and creepier) adult male audience. Indeed, the toys bear an ‘ages 15 and up’ warning, and the subject matter of the accompanying manga is far from child-friendly.”
Personally, I like my much more philosophical take based on The Abolition of Man and other sources (which is to say that the subtext isn’t fully a fanfic of the TFs).
Heather, you use this term ‘intended audience’ as if you’re not in it.
Ruic, I read your first paragraph, and all I remember is ’starving and weak’, ‘emotionally miserable’, and ‘fleeing a war’.
I’m not sure I understand your point about looking for meaning, in the context of someone who is convinced that the Transformers go at it like the Energizer Bunny when they’re not busy Greco-Robot wrestling each other. The only meaning in Transformers is ‘Buy More Stuff’.
That’s about as close as I ever want to get to a discussion of what I will term ‘pedo-manga’. Anyone who isn’t already familiar with the tortured sexuality of (some) Japanese comics and animation is in for a rude shock.
I agree that Japanese comics can be waaaaay over the top if not plain bizarre (”tortured” is a good word, “rude shock” is just adequate). And I’m sorry if I stepped over some line by even quoting the Wiki about some of said strangeness. As for said comics, avoidance is the best policy where I’m concerned.
As for looking for meaning, when someone goes overboard with being a “fan” of anything and ‘aspires’ to be a true “fanatic”, that is when I think they start looking the meaning of life, the universe, and everything in the subject for their devotion. I’ve always viewed the willingness to argue bizarre topics on the basis of fandom minutiae a symptom of this condition.
Maybe this demotivator needs a companion piece that shows a guy camping out in a comics shop to the obvious annoyance of the staff with a phrase that begins: “Fanboys, on the other hand …”.
Sigh … I just noticed some typos in both of my post above.
Here’s another demotivator you might consider.
The picture shows someone inspecting their box full of self-published hardback fiction. He/she has the book that they were so proud of (until moments ago) open to the first chapter. A look of disbelief and shock is spread across his/her face. There could be some samples of “how did I miss that?” bad editing scattered here and there.
The phrase: “The last edit you do is one edit too few.” (my personal motto)
(This actually happened to me after coming home from Kinkos once. Thankfully, only two tape bound copies were involved.)
Heather, you use this term ‘intended audience’ as if you’re not in it.
*smiles* But I know my fellows well. The vast majority of them wouldn’t know meaning if it bit them in the ass.
My favorite cliche - fantasy writers who are also fencers. Seems every fantasy writer these days is also a fencer… no wonder many of the fantasy books I’ve been reading are filled with pages of detailed swordfights… thrust, parry, etc. I’ve started to tone way down on my fantasy reading as a result.