From Robin's Website

Posted by AK11 on April 18, 2002 at 22:48:06:

In Reply to: Idaho Statesman posted by LLB on April 17, 2002 at 14:03:51:

"1. I will not criticize another person in a public forum. If I have questions or comments, I will make them to the person. I will endeavor to always give another the benefit of the doubt and error on the side of compassion. I will treat others as I wish to be treated.
2. I will treasure the blessing of friends and family and ponder kind words of encouragement in my heart."

-- from Robin's "Things I have learned (and relearned) area.

While in reading the article in The Idaho Statesman, I didn't find any sweeping blanket statements that were terribly hurtful...they were just her opinions and I felt they weren't all that damaging. However, it *would* seem that she hasn't really taken to heart the first two points in her list.

She's obviously benefitted from the kindness of her fans and the dedication of her fellow romance writers, yet she seems to now feel that their interest in romance is worthwhile. There seems to be little compassion in the belief that romance is addictive and that the sex portrayed in them is a detriment to the genre and the reader. The comparison between an alcoholic and a romance reader is unfair. Whether she believes it to be true or was simply paraphrasing what "others" say, the fact is she brought it up in the interview to make a point. She didn't make this comment in person, she did this in a public forum, and she certainly didn't provide romance readers with the benefit of the doubt.

As well, the caveat she provides with her book list reads more like an apology than a source of information for future and past readers. That's her perogative, but it does seem to highlight her desire to "say one thing and mean another", depending on the audience.

Discussions like these *do* serve a positive purpose, they bring important subjects out in the open. Readers and writers will be more aware of the possibilities available in romance. And that can only make for a more discerning consumer and a wider variety in the marketplace.

AK11

Follow Ups:

• oops... AK11 22:49:21 04/18/02 (0)

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: "1. I will not criticize another person in a public forum. If I have questions or comments, I will make them to the person. I will endeavor to always give another the benefit of the doubt and error on the side of compassion. I will treat others as I wish to be treated. : 2. I will treasure the blessing of friends and family and ponder kind words of encouragement in my heart." : -- from Robin's "Things I have learned (and relearned) area. : While in reading the article in The Idaho Statesman, I didn't find any sweeping blanket statements that were terribly hurtful...they were just her opinions and I felt they weren't all that damaging. However, it *would* seem that she hasn't really taken to heart the first two points in her list. : She's obviously benefitted from the kindness of her fans and the dedication of her fellow romance writers, yet she seems to now feel that their interest in romance is worthwhile. There seems to be little compassion in the belief that romance is addictive and that the sex portrayed in them is a detriment to the genre and the reader. The comparison between an alcoholic and a romance reader is unfair. Whether she believes it to be true or was simply paraphrasing what "others" say, the fact is she brought it up in the interview to make a point. She didn't make this comment in person, she did this in a public forum, and she certainly didn't provide romance readers with the benefit of the doubt. : As well, the caveat she provides with her book list reads more like an apology than a source of information for future and past readers. That's her perogative, but it does seem to highlight her desire to "say one thing and mean another", depending on the audience. : Discussions like these *do* serve a positive purpose, they bring important subjects out in the open. Readers and writers will be more aware of the possibilities available in romance. And that can only make for a more discerning consumer and a wider variety in the marketplace. : AK11