What’s all this fuss I keep hearing about hysterical accuracy? Now why do readers want this hysterical accuracy in their romance novels? Why, I thought the wailing maidens were just so tiresome. Now, if they use hysterical accuracy in these novels I will never be able to read another one. Who are these hysterical experts anyway and why are there so many on the Internets? Do you actually go to school for hysteria? Obviously being a hysterical expert does not include holding down a day job or they would not be posting all this crap about hysterical accuracy in romance. Can you imagine some hero going around weeping because he has an emotional boo boo? Why, they’ll end up wanting to kill themselves. And go to France and join these Emo rock outfits. And they wont drink milk! (Slams fist on desk.) I say there should be less hysterical accuracy! I say no more weepy wussy characters of either sex! Its terrible! The way they…what, what, what do you want?!
…Never mind
PS… You will always be missed Emily Litella.
I almost never put myself into the position of arguing over historical accuracy. Unless the argument is that there is no way the author could ever be totally accurate.
I could have gone off on the movie 300 for it’s total lack of representing the overwhelming homosexuality of that culture. Then I stopped and realized the fucking movie had CGI monsters in it. What the hell was I thinking?
My rule of thumb is… If whatever the writer is attempting to be accurate about does not work for the story, then it does not work, no matter how accurate it is.
For example if you use the term “truck farm” in a pioneer age romance.
Even if the term “might” have been used or is a “loosely” accurate term for the time period the story is written in…
Does using the term in your story mess the reader up?
In my opinion it is all about perceptions created while reading, even if the perception of the reader is invalid, even if you are a historical guru of that particular era. The fact you kicked the reader’s “suspension of disbelief” to the curb by writing that way will not impress me. That may be unfair but in the end it really is all about the story and how well you tell it.
Period, end of Teddypig statement.
Tags: Gay Romance, WankTags: Gay Romance, Wank
LBea wrote,
It’s like a blast from the past.
Only better.
Link | October 15th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Sarah wrote,
I was paying attention to what you wrote, srsly. But had to look up Emily Litella. Then watched her live doing the reading on Tiny Kingdom on youtube. hehe.
Link | October 16th, 2008 at 3:06 am
TeddyPig wrote,
I am not saying I believe in an afterlife. If there is I want to meet Gilda and give her a hug.
Link | October 17th, 2008 at 7:28 pm