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Justwrite
Veteran Poster
Username: Justwrite
Post Number: 66
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:25 am: | 
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Okay...this is how it goes... answer the "literary" question, and then ask one. No matter how badly you want to, don't go back and answer one that has already been answered. I'll start and I'll keep it light. Here we go...
Have you ever bought a book, read it, then took it back? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 386
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:20 pm: |
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Justwrite,
NO! Have you?
BTW: Why are you 'upset' about something?
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Justwrite
Veteran Poster
Username: Justwrite
Post Number: 67
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:39 pm: |
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You're messing up the game, Abm. You're supposed to answer the question, which you did, then asked another "literary" question for someone else to answer. After they answer it, they're supposed to ask a question for someone else, and so on and so on. Get it?
Does BTW mean by the way? If so, I'm not upset. And the only reason I'm even back is because I had a long talk with so-and-so. I promised I wouldn't say her name. She's doing fine. I'm sure you know who so-and-so is. Just FYI, you're the reason all the heat was turned my direction in the first place. Did you know that? Yep! If it wasn't for you instigating when I said I was too valuable to get rid of, that ol' Thumper guy/girl/whatever would have never tripped off me. It's cool, though. I still love you. Just don't tell your wife. |
Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 169
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 01:16 pm: |
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Was that a question? If so, I don't think it was literary. And I don't think you really answered Abm's question. He wanted to know WHY you are upset. Sheesh! You made the rules!
I have a question that's literary:
People on this site keep using the word literary. I've seen it used a thousand different ways. Just what is meant by the term literary? |
Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 170
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 01:19 pm: |
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I got another question:
Justwrite, did you know Abm's favorite quote is, "aint no fun if my homies can't git none"? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 664
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:14 pm: |
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Maybe the answer to what is "literary", lambd, can best be served by saying what isn't literary: e.g. hip-hop, u-go-girl/sista girl/ chick-lit; sci-fi, mainstream romance novels, westerns, detective fiction and who-done-it mysteries, - all of which may be books that are well-written but ones that lack the elusive, magical ingredient that distinguishes great writing from good writing.
Now, here is my contribution to the theme of this thread. We have all duly noted the current overload of self-publishers on the market, but what is becoming apparent is that there is also an overload of self-described "reviewers" out there. Suddenly everybody is a book reviewer, a designation which seems to require no credentials other than an ability to read and express an opinion. And taking a look at the best-seller lists, one has to wonder how relevant are reviews, especially bad ones. Patrons ignore the critics and embrace whatever they like, be it books, music, art, or movies. But, - this is nothing new. What is new is the increasingly crowded field of reviewers. So what are the criteria for a good reviewer????
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 389
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:31 pm: |
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Justwrite,
Like Lambd said, I was trying to pass the hot potato back to you. But, ok. I’ll bite. Here’s another question:
Who is the most overrated African American literary writer. And explain WHY they are overrated. And I mean LITERARY. So please spare us the popular/commercial Harris’, Dickey’s, McMillan’s, etc. of the world.
Yes, BTW does mean "by the way".
Pardon me. But I was clueless about the apparent any problem I engendered between you and so-n-so. Although, considering what I have spied of all the recent hoopla, I am surprised that I myself have not also been banished from this most hallowed literary land.
I don’t know. I guess I sort of assume that we are all just these eggheaded grown foks who are trying to enjoy spending some informative/entertaining time together. Of course things might on occasion get out-of-hand. But as long as there is love, we can work things out. But I can see that were I so-n-so, I might feel differently.
So to the extent I have caused you and/or others trouble here, I am sorry.
PS: Don’t worry about my missus. Cuz duh thangs that go down between me is you are just for you, me and my psychiatrist to talk about.
Cynique,
The criteria are simply a pad and pen and/or a computer and a sarcastic attitude.
And, My Darling, for that gig you would a 'Natural'.
Lambd,
Der yu go uhgin, trynah ete up onah meel yu ain’t helpt tah pay fo’. |
Steve_s
Newbie Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:54 pm: |
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The question is: Who is the most overrated African American literary writer in history?
Answer: I would have to say Frank Yerby. Although I have not read Frank Yerby, the name seems to have become one of those idiomatic expressions we've known most of our lives but have never really thought about.
Question: Jack McDuff's "Tobacco Road" is subtitled: "Jazz Impressions of Erskine Caldwell?" True or False? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 665
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:14 pm: |
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Abm, I think Walter Mosley is overrated because he has more misses than he has hits.
Steve, I would guess "true", because Erskine Caldwell wrote Tobacco Road. (also God's Little Acre.)
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Justwrite
Veteran Poster
Username: Justwrite
Post Number: 68
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:34 pm: |
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Where's your question at Cynique? |
Justwrite
Veteran Poster
Username: Justwrite
Post Number: 69
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:41 pm: |
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Can I step outside the literary world for a minute? Just for a minute?
Question:
Is is possible to get turned on by reading sex scenes in a novel, or do you read right over it since you can't see the act? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 391
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 05:00 pm: |
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Cynique,
I guess since I answered your question about the criteria for being an author. So I suppose I ask another questions.
Question: Can a fine editor also be a great author?
Justwrite,
I disagree that your questions falls "outside the literary world"? I think it fits here. And to answer it I would say that that depends entirely upon the skills of the author.
Most sex scenes - be they in books, movies, TV - fail because they have all of the erotic build-up of a bowel movement.
But if an author takes her(his) time and gradually builds up to a sex scene, it can be even more erotic than what they might see because the reader will have an internal, emotional interest in the lovemaking.
Question: What is the most important element of a novel: the characterizations, plot, narrations/POV, theme, etc.? And WHY is that element most important? |
Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 172
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:59 am: |
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A novice like myself who only writes/publishes technical texts and poetry is just begging for trouble by answering this one, but if I may, I'd like to take a stab at this one.
In my humble opinion, the characterizations have to be most important. If the characters are not believable, if the author fails to achieve an interest in the his characters, then he can't pull off the plot or the theme and the point of view won't matter. If the reader doesn't give a shit what happens to the people involved, then the rest falls apart.
I don't want to break the rules of Justwrite's thread, but I am interested(for some unknown reason) in C-neek and Chrishayden's views on this.
Far be it from me to start another outlandish debate...Just curious.
Good question, by the way, Abm! |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 667
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 02:49 pm: |
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Lambd, I agree with what you say about how important it is for the author to create vivid characters that will capture the reader's imagination. And good, credible dialogue is one of the things that contributes to bringing a character to life. |
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