tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post398069824463036492..comments2023-11-17T01:32:25.790+00:00Comments on Aleksandr Voinov - Letters from the Front: Monkey has stopped dancingAleksandr Voinovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06583805228909693924noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-19635349420499663352011-11-17T04:39:31.083+00:002011-11-17T04:39:31.083+00:00As a fan of the m/m genre, and someone who doesn&#...As a fan of the m/m genre, and someone who doesn't spend a whole lot of time in Romancelandia...I'll say that the naysayers are a very small part. Your readers love your work. <br /><br />It's been my experience (both as a military member throughout the DADT fiasco, and as a southern raised female) that a majority of conflict comes from a minority of people who were (unfortunately) blessed with a very vocal self righteousness.<br /><br />Please reconsider. My heart goes out to you and your writing friends who are suffering through this.Dawn Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13094479667234469671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-91200329341080876112011-11-16T09:10:24.106+00:002011-11-16T09:10:24.106+00:00I hate to see the "bullying" that is aro...I hate to see the "bullying" that is around all this matter, and even the angry tone or the "I'm offended on the account of someone else"... I don't want to say where the reason lies, I don't know, but the general reaction (aside for some very isolated cases) was really on the level of a mob wanting to find the TRUE... that is really scaringAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-6439797458191502752011-11-16T08:59:40.783+00:002011-11-16T08:59:40.783+00:00This is me being fucking honest with you.
No. You...This is me being fucking honest with you.<br /><br />No. You should not stop writing if this is a genre you need to write in. <br /><br />Fuck no.<br /><br />I will be blunt. I am a gay female but I certainly don't have issues about what hangs off my body. I have two saggy tits and nothing between the legs.<br /><br />Yes, not being a male halts my progress as a m/m writer, but never did I ever imagine to pass as a male. Never. In truth I am probably bi-sexual since I am attracted to "pretty" guys.<br /><br />Who knows. I don't care. My partner feels the same way but we love each other.<br /><br />But if you cease writing about what comes naturally to you, that is wrong. For some bizarre reason writing m/m comes naturally to me. I don't know why the fuck I write what I do. It is certainly not for the money. It's my urge, my passion.<br /><br />Don't tell me you want to quit because of naysayers. Please do not quit. Please rise above this witch hunt. Don't abandon your passion.<br /><br />Please. Please stand with me. <br /><br />S.A.S.A. Garciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09126875507639117068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-41893656414496671482011-11-16T02:28:21.875+00:002011-11-16T02:28:21.875+00:00I will miss your unique voice in this genre and I ...I will miss your unique voice in this genre and I hope I'll stumble across the new pseudonym so I may read more of your work... Take care and be happy Aleks. Maybe, with time, you'll remember the vast, silent majority of the M/M Romance community really are as accepting and welcoming as you found in the beginning, and maybe, just maybe, your talent may once again give depth and breadth to the genre. Whatever you do, I hope it brings you peace, love and happiness. <br /><br />*hugs* SueSueMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812241177913797939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-29189477021236163052011-11-16T00:45:53.442+00:002011-11-16T00:45:53.442+00:00Wow. :( Not going to comment publicly on this whol...Wow. :( Not going to comment publicly on this whole debacle, but I hope you'll at least stay in touch with some of us! You can always hit me up via e-mail or to chat!Lori W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00977774459484130567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-70722051350805569852011-11-15T23:28:05.807+00:002011-11-15T23:28:05.807+00:00I'm very sorry to hear this and really wish yo...I'm very sorry to hear this and really wish you wouldn't leave. Don't let "them* win!Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14106230377241412829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-89981047701301931712011-11-14T23:00:34.471+00:002011-11-14T23:00:34.471+00:00Hi Aleks
I'm wondering what your decision mea...Hi Aleks<br /><br />I'm wondering what your decision means for Riptide?<br />Will they continue without you, or are you going to keep a foot in M/M on the publishers side?<br />Or means this the end for this new press before it really got out of the gates?<br /><br />MichaMicha Norellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-82304243878255188052011-11-14T19:09:41.878+00:002011-11-14T19:09:41.878+00:00AS Part of The silent Majority that seems to alway...AS Part of The silent Majority that seems to always get lost in the blowups I am so sorry that You are have chosen to stop writing m/m. I saddens Me that the Noisy nasty voices of a bitter few are tainting everything.<br /><br />I am one of the readers who didn't feel hurt because i understand the reality. Writers write and we own the written word we purchase. They owe nothing but good product and we have no right or say to anything else in there lives. It's none of our business.<br /><br />You are a wonderful talent and Your writing will be missed It is Our loss.<br /><br />Good Luck although with your talent You won"t need it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-30816068419011013272011-11-14T18:04:25.878+00:002011-11-14T18:04:25.878+00:00Oh Aleks, like so many others have said, I'm s...Oh Aleks, like so many others have said, I'm so sorry you've reached this decision - but I honour your reasons and wish you so much luck with your (new) writings.<br /><br />I've been reading your m/m stories for just under a year now and have been thoroughly entertained by them - most of your writing is incredible (just sometimes when I can't get my head around it, then I feel a little confused :( - but I know I'll come back and finish!!)<br /><br />Hopefully, there may be a compromise out there in the big wide world for EVERYONE, but until then, my respect and love is yours.<br /><br />Carole-AnnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-70108339748106450532011-11-14T16:16:21.939+00:002011-11-14T16:16:21.939+00:00This was not about bad mouthing a "trans"...This was not about bad mouthing a "trans" writer. This was about someone who bashed female writers in hir non-fiction writing for not knowing how to write MM fiction. Gender is of no consequence to readers. Lying about your non fiction life that no one asked the author about is. I hope you re- consider, your a wonderful writer and most of my fellow MM readers are not trying to harm anyone.Why let a handful of people set change your mind about what you do so well!arl215https://www.blogger.com/profile/00747040265102553914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-83284254566662253302011-11-14T10:14:32.654+00:002011-11-14T10:14:32.654+00:00I bought Counterpunch yesterday and am looking for...I bought Counterpunch yesterday and am looking forward to reading it. I will miss the unwritten Scorpion stories too. I love your voice and your work Aleks, so selfishly I am sorry that things have come to this. <br /><br />I wish you all the best for your endeavours and your friend every good wish for strength and comfort as she deals with her cancer.Merrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10011475229740382877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-14344515621514497552011-11-14T08:46:59.255+00:002011-11-14T08:46:59.255+00:00I don't think you're the only one that wil...I don't think you're the only one that will follow this path. The only issue has left a sour taste that won't be got rid of easily. <br />Good luck with your writing in which ever genre you choose.Sue Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17387224663998322405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-46610540669160444292011-11-14T03:49:43.671+00:002011-11-14T03:49:43.671+00:00I discovered your talent not too long ago and had ...I discovered your talent not too long ago and had a blast on the chat you hosted the other day.<br /><br />I'm heartened by the idea that, at some future date, I'll crack open a story and fall under its spell and wonder/hope that I've found you again.<br /><br />A.V., you are a <b>CLASS ACT!</b> My best to you and those you love.<br /><br />MRR/Mary RockwellMary R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10288255252217693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-74378407008251983762011-11-14T02:51:06.946+00:002011-11-14T02:51:06.946+00:00Oh, Aleks, I wish it hadn't come to this, but ...Oh, Aleks, I wish it hadn't come to this, but I understand sometimes you have to do things for yourself. I wish you the best of luck now and in the future. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08284781754153035867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-31913538972184254482011-11-14T02:27:07.529+00:002011-11-14T02:27:07.529+00:00Love you, Aleks. I was waiting who was the first o...Love you, Aleks. I was waiting who was the first one to go, and even though I am heartbroken by the fact it was you, it's understandable as hell why you had to post this. When I first started reading m/m, for me it was also the sense of community. Like I finally found where I belong. Fuck, was I wrong. I've been alienating myself from the social side of it, little by little, because of bullies. All the nasty things that go on and make me personally feel like shit. I want to read, not feel like I'm being kicked on the head multiple times a year. The T is there for a reason. LGBT. It's not pick one you like, leave the other-game. <br />Thank you for being nice enough to finish Dark Soul, you're just that awesome. As long as you continue writing in English, whatever you write, I'll be there, you should know this. *hugs tight*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-10323713172302781012011-11-14T01:59:07.118+00:002011-11-14T01:59:07.118+00:00Wow. I would never have pegged you for a quitter.
...Wow. I would never have pegged you for a quitter.<br /><br />Is your friend R. giving up? And she's got the hard job. Vastly harder than anyone should ever have to go through. You've got the easy one. Keeping writing stories you love to tell, for an audience who finds hope and validation and comfort and pleasure in the reading.<br /><br />Every community in this blessed world has the enlightened and has bullies. This community is full of individuals, all with their own opinions, and right now they're fighting with each other as they work through all the issues this controversy has stirred. That is the only way to work through controversy--talking, arguing, putting it all on the table.<br /><br />Quit, and you might as well sweep it all under the rug. Progress is not made by stopping dead in your tracks. It's made by moving forward, no matter how ugly the slog.<br /><br />You're not going to clear out all the bad and make it shiny perfect. You know by now life doesn't work that way and never will.<br /><br />This community will continue to have growing pains, whether or not you quit or a dozen writers quit.<br /><br />And larger, louder communities who would like to see m/m romance vanish from the world altogether would be delighted by your quitting.<br /><br />I hope R. kicks your ass but good over this decision, because it's the wrong one.<br /><br />Don't quit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-80887565144856523412011-11-13T23:40:36.570+00:002011-11-13T23:40:36.570+00:00I wish, of course, that I could talk you out of do...I wish, of course, that I could talk you out of doing this, as I really enjoy your writing (and all the contributions you've made to your fans and fellow authors in the genre). However, I also respect that this is your decision to make and will be sad to know that the bad behavior of noisy people will have been part of the reason. You're always so enthusiastic about your characters and your stories that it will be horribly sad to see that passion vanish (at least from our sight). <br /><br />Good luck, I hope you return to us (or maybe are swayed by the outpouring of positive thoughts here?). If not, maybe I'll stumble upon your other books in the future.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03968117352606424164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-85166859546935542252011-11-13T23:36:06.799+00:002011-11-13T23:36:06.799+00:00IMO now isn't the time for such decisions, Ale...IMO now isn't the time for such decisions, Aleks, when there have been too many misunderstandings and feelings are too raw. <br /><br />Better to let it settle, a few voices do not a community make.Angel Martinezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16083874247515480776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-60277021857048670002011-11-13T23:14:07.546+00:002011-11-13T23:14:07.546+00:00I am truly sorry to hear you will no longer be wri...I am truly sorry to hear you will no longer be writing M/M. I understand your decision, but I also feel the loss to the M/M genre.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-6649867876334209662011-11-13T22:34:46.070+00:002011-11-13T22:34:46.070+00:00It feels like fans such as myself are being punish...It feels like fans such as myself are being punished for the misdeeds of others. Your contribution to m/m has been immeasurable and its loss will be great. I have no idea what prompted this, but if this change is what you need to be happy and find peace, then I wish you the best in future endeavors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-49872285223236794202011-11-13T22:28:19.517+00:002011-11-13T22:28:19.517+00:00My apology for looking stupid. I meant moral major...My apology for looking stupid. I meant moral majority, not silent majority. NaNo is melting my brain cells.CS McClellan/Catanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12528100633458181090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-9612252820823969722011-11-13T22:25:00.531+00:002011-11-13T22:25:00.531+00:00Aleks,
As I mentioned in my message to you of ear...Aleks,<br /><br />As I mentioned in my message to you of earlier today I am sorry that you are leaving the sub-genre but fully understand and respect the reasons that precipitated your decision to do so. However, your absence will be felt.<br /><br />I have followed your writing going on five years now and have immensely enjoyed your stories. I've always felt (and continue to do so) that your writing transcends the boundaries of any specific genre or sub-genre and in this I believe that you will be successful in whatever categories you choose to write.<br /><br />I hope I have the opportunity to read your books in the future.<br /><br />I wish you the best of luck and much success, and send prayers and best wishes for your friend.<br /><br />IndigeneIndie Reviewshttps://theindiereviewer.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-57540264931850937662011-11-13T22:14:24.653+00:002011-11-13T22:14:24.653+00:00Hi Aleks
We haven't had much interaction but ...Hi Aleks<br /><br />We haven't had much interaction but I have just discovered ure work.<br /><br />I understand your decision and respect the decision you have made. I wish you luck in your new endeavours <br /><br />Sarah SSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07773664732915348201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-29023892492282715672011-11-13T22:06:41.233+00:002011-11-13T22:06:41.233+00:00I will be very sad and sorry to see you go, and fo...I will be very sad and sorry to see you go, and for the circumstances leading to your decision, but like others above have said, you will be, and are, a great writer in any genre you choose, of that I am confident! Will miss your captivating writing, and very real, fascinating characters, very much, and I second Lee Brazil in hoping that there might possibly be a bridge to your new material for your current readers. It doesn't have to be m/m but it has to be you! <br />Also wish all the best and luck to your friend.<br />Thank you so much for all the stories we have been lucky enough to read, and for the ones yet to come! <br />Wishing you all the best!Melindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12842018427767328779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29109752791794032.post-84546146730154732462011-11-13T22:01:47.536+00:002011-11-13T22:01:47.536+00:00Good luck, but I wish you wouldn't. "The...Good luck, but I wish you wouldn't. "They" win when someone like you with talent bows out.Tom Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15587305406171087129noreply@blogger.com