For Authors: January 20, 2021 Issue [#10561]
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 This week: The Sins of the Writer
  Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

A single remark on social media stirs up a hornets' nest, and suddenly, the favourite is in disgrace. Should this be so?


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Dear Reader,

Big controversies often begin with a sentence or two -- especially when it's on social media and a post can go viral within hours. When the post is by a famous writer, the reaction is big -- and sales of her books plummet.

In this newsletter, I'm not going to name any particular author or discuss the nitty-gritties of any one controversy. The questions I have pertain to any author, or indeed any artist / performer, with any controversy. I'm just going to put down the questions, and hope they trigger some thinking.

Why did the books become favourites, and why have they continued to be favourites for more than twenty years? Because they contain a great story, well told, realistic characters, solid values and perspectives on life that can be discussed, debated and argued. Children have learned to read out of a desire to follow this story, and fans have found solace during difficult times, turning to some insights gained from the books.

Does all this go away because of a single post on social media? Is the story any the less gripping, the characters less real, because a controversy has sprung up around the writer? Haven't the plot and characters taken a life of their own now?

More important - are the values diluted? The books embody courage, loyalty, friendship, true love ... don't they do that any more? Does a single remark made a dozen years after the last book was written negate all the values portrayed, built up and held in their pages?

Finally - isn't an author, no matter how famous, human? Can she not have an opinion, and can she not express it? And if it isn't (apparently) politically correct, can she not be asked to clarify?

Do the (supposed) sins of the writer condemn the books? Should they?

Thanks for listening!
Owl Signature



Editor's Picks

By our Authors!
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#2235616 by Not Available.

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The Party Open in new Window. (18+)
Contest entry: Ruby goes to a party. Show don't tell.
#2231758 by D. Reed Whittaker Author IconMail Icon

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#1079845 by Not Available.

 
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A State of Anarchy Open in new Window. (13+)
Our political system is in a state of dysfunction and I am frightened, aren't others?
#2241513 by Redtowrite Author IconMail Icon

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Night and Day Open in new Window. (13+)
The unlikeliest of friends find in one another life long soul sisters.-1st place Winner!
#1797916 by Mara ♣ McBain Author IconMail Icon


All-time favourites!
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WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group Open in new Window. (E)
Join the fun! We inspire reviewers through kindness and learning! Winner of eight Quills!
#1300305 by Maryann Author IconMail Icon

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Anniversary Reviews Open in new Window. (E)
Celebrate Writing.Com member account anniversaries with reviews.
#1565040 by Annette Author IconMail Icon

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The Snail Mail Group Open in new Window. (E)
WDC's first letter writing club
#1982168 by Annette Author IconMail Icon

Three Word Mayhem! Open in new Window. (13+)
Mayhem is afoot!
#555590 by Jay's debut novel is out now! Author IconMail Icon

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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by SophyBells Author IconMail Icon

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The WDC Angel Army Open in new Window. (ASR)
Dedicated to promoting positivity, encouragement, and support to the WDC community.
#1188309 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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ASIN: B085272J6B
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Ask & Answer

Thank you for the responses to "Flashback holding you back?Open in new Window.

Lucinda Lynx Author Icon Thank you for writing this! I've never thought about childhood flashbacks. That is another pitfall to avoid.

hbk16 This is a featured issue which reveals some technical ways to write a story with past flashback. Most stories are built with two segments. One segment is the present and the other is the past. It is the most important way to allow a certain credibility to the story indeed. The time concordance should be careful and well taken into consideration in this case. Great job!

Quick-Quill Author Icon To answer your question about the Pensieve, I think it was ingenious. I love flashbacks if done correctly. My MC will be talking to her father and remember what it was like during his glory days. Now he's trying to relive them through his daughter. She lives 3 hours away, but that's nothing if he thinks he can get recognized for his past successes through her. His choices have shaped her choices. Off and on through the book I hope to retell a bit of his success as she remembers it a bit differently than his recounting of it.

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