megwrites

In the responses to the post, carrielofty hit very succinctly on what bugged me about the mocking-- the idea that if you say you write a "book of the heart" you're somehow less than them because they're savvier about the market or more business oriented, to which I say, "bullshit." One can be a passionate writer and still be market-savvy.

By the same token, jonquil pointed out that all too often, people fall back on "book of the heart" to mean, "Oh my Book! It is of My Heart and I am a Frail and Delicate Flower so please to not levy criticism." To which I also say, "bullshit." Passion is a wonderful, amazing driving force and the best stories are born from it, but it can always be improved by dedication to craft and honest criticism. And no matter how good a story and how passionate, sometimes, the market's just not right for it, as well I know, given the responses I've received to Breathe.

And I think... too... if you're writing completely from the gut, no holds barred, and the topic is sensitive, a writer has to be aware they're going to hurt someone. They shouldn't let it stop them from writing the story the way it demands to be written, because that's dishonest, but they should be aware of the potential pitfalls. And if someone is hurt by it, by all means, a genuine sensitivity should be shown.

Make sense?

(Maybe we should call it "book of your gut." Because that's what it takes, really, no?