tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post197345068867714335..comments2023-08-27T04:22:55.468-07:00Comments on The Literary Lab: My Misconception of Mary ShelleyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-23563369161877005402012-01-13T18:53:51.808-08:002012-01-13T18:53:51.808-08:00That's such an interesting observation - and i...That's such an interesting observation - and its made me think more about my own bias's. I myself actually enjoy knowing who wrote what I'm reading, because I like to analyse the book against the writer in how it resembles their personality/life/experiences and such... but it doesn't affect my opinion of the writing.<br />However, my bias is in the authors gender. I always prefer to stick to female authors without even noticing - I see a cover that catches my eye, read an enticing title even, and am interested by the blurb.... and then put it down if it's by a man. This isn't always the case, but I've noticed its pretty common :(Acehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04828920920040792942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-40015302719915796062012-01-13T07:55:52.941-08:002012-01-13T07:55:52.941-08:00Davin, I adore that book, as you very well know. I...Davin, I adore that book, as you very well know. I knew she was 18 because I've read a biography about her (which is quite fascinating, and I highly recommend reading more about her life!). I do the same thing as you - judge writing based on the writer. However, I've been floored many times as I've critiqued manuscripts. I often know it's a first book, or that the writer has only been writing for a short while, but I've managed to keep my mind open enough to allow for the possibility of being floored. And many times, I have been. It's always a fun experience. :)<br /><br />I really need to get on those entries!Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-5859518553985685112012-01-13T06:58:25.221-08:002012-01-13T06:58:25.221-08:00Hey, you're all just damned kids as far as I&#...Hey, you're all just damned kids as far as I'm concerned. And I use that "I'm 39" deal, too. But I usually include what anniversary of that particular birthday I'm celebrating. (Twenty sixth, if you're interested)Chuck H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07266126276487521854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-55634233333958545572012-01-13T00:17:12.098-08:002012-01-13T00:17:12.098-08:00You are able to admit it therefore you are able to...You are able to admit it therefore you are able to change it. I didn't know she was only 18! I enjoyed that book. I usually read a book with the author's gender in mind but sometimes that biases me toward the writing. I'll have to stop doing that.Amie McCrackenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10183468581148360197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-32805639471196203012012-01-12T12:34:31.637-08:002012-01-12T12:34:31.637-08:00It's tough to lose bias and preconceptions. D...It's tough to lose bias and preconceptions. Davin, you are very brave for admitting to yours, and for trying to distance yourself from them.Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-54879653098138910942012-01-12T12:21:52.651-08:002012-01-12T12:21:52.651-08:00Think I said 'and stuff' enough? Ah well.....Think I said 'and stuff' enough? Ah well...Jenny Maloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11926410487968278887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-73033997233127926032012-01-12T12:20:49.555-08:002012-01-12T12:20:49.555-08:00Not only was there no television...but Mary Shelle...Not only was there no television...but Mary Shelley was also raised in a very, very literate household. Her father, Godwin, was a center for intellectuals and writers. People like Samuel Taylor Coleridge showed up for tea and stuff. It was also through her dad that she met Percy Bysshe Shelley and embarked on a life of elopement, Byron, and stuff.Jenny Maloneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11926410487968278887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-8523131949835492182012-01-12T11:05:49.369-08:002012-01-12T11:05:49.369-08:00Davin: Better schooling in the olden days. Or, mor...Davin: Better schooling in the olden days. Or, more precisely, there was an emphasis on classical education that's gone away.<br /><br />In my world, Dr Malasarn, <i>you</i> are one of the Young People. So go, you!<br /><br />I try not to learn too much about the people who write the books I read. I find that it colors the reading, and I just want the book without the author. I'm reading Chekhov's letters while reading his short stories and sometimes I read a letter he wrote and think, gosh he's a dope. But then I read a story and think, gosh he's a genius.<br /><br />When I was 18 I was a total idiot. I'm still an idiot, but not as much of one.scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-19049551974466734162012-01-12T09:41:05.325-08:002012-01-12T09:41:05.325-08:00More and more I'm impressed by young people th...More and more I'm impressed by young people these days. Go young people! And I do agree that people probably made better use of the English language in general in the 1800s. What's the deal with that?Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-73859468661707205562012-01-12T08:54:29.172-08:002012-01-12T08:54:29.172-08:00Charlie, I think what drives me even more nuts is ...Charlie, I think what drives me even more nuts is accomplished writers who get away with all the stuff I've been told not to do! And they still pull it off! (that's just me still sorting though Rules vs Guidelines)J.B. Chicoinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894797553204276281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-61457759849410713932012-01-12T08:46:29.774-08:002012-01-12T08:46:29.774-08:00Wow, I haven't read Frankenstein, but that'...Wow, I haven't read Frankenstein, but that's incredible that a woman so young, especially in the time she wrote it, could write something that carries forth in the way that book did. A literary landmark.April Plummerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000526454256802504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-62356480880231368962012-01-12T08:44:31.733-08:002012-01-12T08:44:31.733-08:00JB, I agree with enjoying reading more before I at...JB, I agree with enjoying reading more before I attempted writing. Now, I can't help but notice how authors approach dialogue, or set up that scene. Maybe, I need to read books from writers that make the tricks completely invisible.Charlie Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02347938747849177632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-54765385212639234642012-01-12T08:33:08.848-08:002012-01-12T08:33:08.848-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.J.B. Chicoinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894797553204276281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-60710879910384752242012-01-12T08:32:28.127-08:002012-01-12T08:32:28.127-08:00I also prefer not to know who (biographically) wro...I also prefer not to know who (biographically) wrote a story while I'm reading it. For instance, if it's a woman writing first person as a man or vice versa, it throws me off. (One reason why I use gender neutral J.B. Chicoine when I write.)<br /><br />And I have to admit that I too scrutinize writing differently if I know it's a first book or best-selling author, but that's only in the past few years, now that I know a little more about writing than I did as simply a reader.<br /><br />In a way, I liked reading better back when I didn't know writerly stuff. How bad is that!J.B. Chicoinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894797553204276281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-31595715390621382702012-01-12T08:28:31.981-08:002012-01-12T08:28:31.981-08:00Interesting... But have you ever read diaries or l...Interesting... But have you ever read diaries or leters written by the Average Joe back then? As a whole, I think people were much more advanced literally at a much younger age. I love reading letters written by soldiers and such. They're generally beautiful!Lynette Eklundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17211392281993724657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-64099029973624097932012-01-12T08:23:12.209-08:002012-01-12T08:23:12.209-08:00Interesting point Davin. I visit YouTube and I'...Interesting point Davin. I visit YouTube and I'm schooled by some of the kids who play their instruments better as teens than I ever did. Google Hiromi (although she's much older now) and you'll see what I mean.Charlie Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02347938747849177632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092805684169371138.post-54900765913748822392012-01-12T08:21:21.541-08:002012-01-12T08:21:21.541-08:00Wow, I had no idea she was only 18. That's go...Wow, I had no idea she was only 18. That's good though, that you recognize what you're doing. Better that than to go through works without that realization. I don't know how we can combat that other than to just be objective all the time (which isn't always that easy). Despite knowing our own habits, we fall back into them easily if we're unwary. Great post, Davin.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07823808700523297184noreply@blogger.com