Cassie Edwards

I must say up front that I am not a Cassie Edwards fan. I have read one or two of her books and other than a few name (and tribe) they could have been the same book. There are several writers that do that - some do it well - some do not. Cassie Edwards fits in the "does not do it well" category.

Anyway, I know this subject has been addressed ad nauseum by other writers, blogs, etc. I don't really have anything new to say. My favorite comment on this whole thing was by Nora Roberts (all hail the Queen) who wrote in an e-mail to the AP, "Given the side-by-side comparisons I've read, it seems clear Ms. Edwards copied considerable portions of previously published work and used them in her books without attribution to the original source. By my definition, copying another's work and passing it as your own equals plagiarism. As a writer, a reader and a victim of plagiarism, I feel very strongly on this issue. I'm not a lawyer, but I can't see it as fair use, or fair anything when one writer takes another's work."

Readers nowadays expect writers to do their homework. It is not enough to have a good story, one needs to have an intriguing and accurate background. As such, more in depth research and study is required. It is one thing to work the results of that research and study into your story. It is quite another to copy almost word for word information from those results. It is just plain wrong. Whether she knew she had to attribute the source or not, copying is copying is copying, and that is theft, pure and simple.

Shame on you, Cassie.

To Dumb To Live...

Anyone who reads romance has run across a heroine (or two or three) that really should be killed in order to put them out of their misery. The most civilized thing readers can do is toss the book aside.

I read a Heartsong Presents a few months ago that had the heroine reacting to meeting the daughter of the hero for the first time. It was something like, "She walked into the room and gasped at the sight of a young girl in a wheel chair."

I enjoy Inspirational Romance, but not all Christian women are such wimps and so delicate in nature...argh!

Dear So and So...

This week's prompt: Write a letter (or an email) to someone for whatever reason.

Actually, I have more than one, so bear with me. Here goes...


Dear "The One That I Can't Stand":

There have been a million things I have wanted to say to you over the years, but as usual I am tongue tied. I guess my brain is not a quick with the comebacks - all part of the whole writing thing I guess - I like to think out my responses and control my scenes. I like that control, Yup, I'm anal, so sue me!

OK - When I think of what I want to say, I'll get back to you.

Love,
Me

Dear You-Know-Who-You-Are:

It's been a while since we talked and usually when I send you a note, it's generally chit chat about family and other things. This one is going to be different.

You lost out. I'd would have gone to hell and back for you. But no...in order to get some guilt free nookie, you decided to do the "big" thing and dump me. It was probably the best thing you could have done for me, because I finally did find my happily ever after.

No Love From Me

More later...

New Blog!

Hello -

I have set up this blog to use as a creative outlet - by responding to writing prompts or commentary on things that I have a strong opinion about.

Here is my first one (appropriate, isn't it?)

This year I am going to accomplish----------------------------.

WRITE THE DAMN BOOKS!

I have several books floating around my head, I just need to get them out. More than likely they'll have to be yanked out as coaxing has not worked so far.