Okay - so how is this for a new story idea? A really well-adjusted, attractive man (we'll call him...um...Edward!) and a really nice, cute, issue-free woman (um...Bella! Yeah! Short for Isabella!), meet in a quiet club where the music isn't too loud and only non-alcoholic drinks are served. They chat about their friends in the suburbs, their childhood pets who are now gone (but all died of natural causes), and discover they kind of like each other. They exchange phone numbers.
A week later, one calls the other, and they go out for a nice dinner.
Three days later, they go see a nice, romantic comedy. No actual sex displayed, and no foul language.
A week after that, they realize the've passed the "three date thing," and have missionary, fade to black sex.
A few months later, they get engaged.
Then they get married. The wedding is perfect. Her dress has some lace or something on it from...I dunno...France? Really - I don't give a flying fuck.
They have a kid.
Or two.
And a dog.
Maybe a cat.
Are you puking yet? Because I am.
I've never written "nice." Not now, not ever. It bores me to death. I like fucked up, completely mentally warped characters. They entertain me, and I like getting in their heads. I don't do it for the sake of sensationalism or to increase my review count. I like feedback - it helps me write better. Send in in an email, comment here on the blog, send me a PM, a tweet - whatever. Reviewing is there for your convenience, but I give less of a flying fuck about review count than French lace. Those who are reading this blog regularly probably already know that.
I have no problem with people not liking what I write. To each their own. I don't mind people saying my stories suck - everyone gets to express an opinion. If you as a reader want to consider the topic exploitation, that is your prerogative.
However, I am mildly insulted that it was suggested I choose my material for the sake of sensationalism or to get more reviews. I am definitely insulted at the suggestion that the review counts on my stories are high due to my choice of "exploitative" topics and not because I'm a damn good writer with good story ideas. I choose my topics because I have a degree in psychology, have spent years of my life studying abnormal brain function, the behavior of victims, the reasons perpetrators of crimes become perpetrators, and general effective and ineffective behavior modification models. Yeah - I know what I'm talking about, and I know how to describe it. THAT is why I get a lot of reviews I love trying to figure out why people do what they do.
Obviously, a lot of you do as well, or you wouldn't follow me from story to story. Thanks for that. :)
That's why I write, people. For your enjoyment and mine. Period. Exclamation point. Maybe a semicolon. Darn it! Where's my beta?!?!?
(Oh - and that bit at the top? That was showing, not telling. That's a writing thing. I know a little about that, too.)
/sarcasm
