Comments on: The Eternal Present http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/ So Many Authors. . . So Little Time Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:07:11 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Eamon http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11581 Eamon Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:57:36 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11581 'I think you can get away with reference to contemporay technologies and so on' - I meant: you can get away WITHOUT reference to ... ‘I think you can get away with reference to contemporay technologies and so on’ – I meant: you can get away WITHOUT reference to …

]]> By: Eamon http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11580 Eamon Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:56:32 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11580 I think you can get away with reference to contemporay technologies and so on. Many people who read want to get away, in fact, from stuff like that, anyway (why is a reference to an ipod so important?). When I read I want strong characters and see how they develop. I don't really care when the story is set (it could be contemporary or not). Bonfire of the Vanities is one of my favourite books of last 30 years or so. Yes, you can kind of tell it is from the 80's (if you really think about it). But it could, also, easily pass for a contemporary book as well. Forget the ipods (who cares?!). And good luck! I think you can get away with reference to contemporay technologies and so on. Many people who read want to get away, in fact, from stuff like that, anyway (why is a reference to an ipod so important?).

When I read I want strong characters and see how they develop. I don’t really care when the story is set (it could be contemporary or not). Bonfire of the Vanities is one of my favourite books of last 30 years or so. Yes, you can kind of tell it is from the 80’s (if you really think about it). But it could, also, easily pass for a contemporary book as well.

Forget the ipods (who cares?!). And good luck!

]]> By: Bronwyn Jameson http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11566 Bronwyn Jameson Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:18:56 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11566 Christie, hey and hi. It's always comforting to know I'm not alone in my obsessing over details :-) Hey, Virginia. Are you in cell phone denial or do you just not need one? My dh was in denial for years; would not have one out of sheer cussed stubborness...and because his sons insisted he needed one. Eventually he caved and carries it everywhere with him. He won't learn to text though. :-) Bron Christie, hey and hi. It’s always comforting to know I’m not alone in my obsessing over details :-)

Hey, Virginia. Are you in cell phone denial or do you just not need one? My dh was in denial for years; would not have one out of sheer cussed stubborness…and because his sons insisted he needed one. Eventually he caved and carries it everywhere with him. He won’t learn to text though. :-)
Bron

]]> By: Bronwyn Jameson http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11565 Bronwyn Jameson Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:13:43 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11565 Jane, absolutely agree about books dating themselves with so many elements and with the physical print book itself not lasting forever. However, with digital publishing (eBooks, audibooks) that is no longer the case. Books which previously had a limited on-sale date will now be available as eBooks for...who knows how long? Although the technology in how we read and/or listen to them will continue to evolve and change. Thanks for visiting and commenting. Bron Jane, absolutely agree about books dating themselves with so many elements and with the physical print book itself not lasting forever. However, with digital publishing (eBooks, audibooks) that is no longer the case. Books which previously had a limited on-sale date will now be available as eBooks for…who knows how long? Although the technology in how we read and/or listen to them will continue to evolve and change.

Thanks for visiting and commenting.

Bron

]]> By: Bronwyn Jameson http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11564 Bronwyn Jameson Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:47:41 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11564 <em>While brands can date a book, I think what dates a book more is the storylines. A lot of earlier category romances have very distant overly alpha heroes that at times you want to hit.</em> Great point, Ann. Those books were also written from female POV, which didn't help understand his motivation. I know there are some readers who still crave those books with the enigmatic hard men. Not me. :-) And re the brands: I'm a bit too aware, being a glossy magazine addict. So good to see you here at 2BR. Hope you'll bookmark us and visit often. Bron While brands can date a book, I think what dates a book more is the storylines. A lot of earlier category romances have very distant overly alpha heroes that at times you want to hit.

Great point, Ann. Those books were also written from female POV, which didn’t help understand his motivation. I know there are some readers who still crave those books with the enigmatic hard men. Not me. :-)

And re the brands: I’m a bit too aware, being a glossy magazine addict.

So good to see you here at 2BR. Hope you’ll bookmark us and visit often.

Bron

]]> By: Bronwyn Jameson http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11563 Bronwyn Jameson Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:26:00 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11563 Hi Patricia. <em>it is impossible to write every novel set in the past without making even a teeny, tiny slip-up.</em> Absolutely. I love historicals. Love reading them, love the world they create, and because I'm not a history buff or scholar I'm sure plenty of anachronistic slips slide right by me. Especially when I'm engrossed in a well-told story. I've often wondered about writing one. The world of the past is already there, the world created, the research available. There is scope for storylines we can't do today, because the world and social mores have changed. But I'm afraid of making terrible blunders in language usage etc. Maybe, one day, I will be brave. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Hope to see you here again. Bron Hi Patricia.

it is impossible to write every
novel set in the past without making even a teeny, tiny slip-up.

Absolutely. I love historicals. Love reading them, love the world they create, and because I’m not a history buff or scholar I’m sure plenty of anachronistic slips slide right by me. Especially when I’m engrossed in a well-told story.

I’ve often wondered about writing one. The world of the past is already there, the world created, the research available. There is scope for storylines we can’t do today, because the world and social mores have changed.

But I’m afraid of making terrible blunders in language usage etc. Maybe, one day, I will be brave.

Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Hope to see you here again.

Bron

]]> By: Virginia H. http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11561 Virginia H. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:29:01 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11561 I don't even have a cell phone. Hubby has one but I don't even know how to use it. I don’t even have a cell phone. Hubby has one but I don’t even know how to use it.

]]> By: christie http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11557 christie Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:54:28 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11557 Great post Brownyn. I think about this when I write, but it's hard to really cut out all references that will date a book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. CC Great post Brownyn.

I think about this when I write, but it’s hard to really cut out all references that will date a book.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

CC

]]> By: Jane Squires http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11553 Jane Squires Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:30:12 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11553 I don't think you can write a book for the eternal present - there is only one - the Bible. Things change over time. Words, clothes, people, environment, etc. so no matter what a book won't live forever. Books only stay on the shelves for so long at a time that they don't even live on forever. However the classics that stand out and are still around were written for the period they were in and everyone excepts that. I just wanted to let you know I read your blog. I don’t think you can write a book for the eternal present – there is only one – the Bible. Things change over time. Words, clothes, people, environment, etc. so no matter what a book won’t live forever. Books only stay on the shelves for so long at a time that they don’t even live on forever. However the classics that stand out and are still around were written for the period they were in and everyone excepts that.
I just wanted to let you know I read your blog.

]]> By: Ann M. http://toberead.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/the-eternal-present/#comment-11552 Ann M. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:37:45 +0000 http://toberead.wordpress.com/?p=718#comment-11552 While brands can date a book, I think what dates a book more is the storylines. A lot of earlier category romances have very distant overly alpha heroes that at times you want to hit. I know that a good friend of mine dislikes Sarah's Child by Linda Howard because she feels the hero is almost cringe-worthy. I'm pretty much out of touch with the latest brands so it doesn't date it for me. :) While brands can date a book, I think what dates a book more is the storylines. A lot of earlier category romances have very distant overly alpha heroes that at times you want to hit. I know that a good friend of mine dislikes Sarah’s Child by Linda Howard because she feels the hero is almost cringe-worthy.

I’m pretty much out of touch with the latest brands so it doesn’t date it for me. :)

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