A beloved friend sent me a surprise dragon skull! It’s PINK. I very much love it. It is made out of pink Aragonite, which was mined in Brazil.
This is a repost from the R.J. Blain facebook page, but I (the author) felt it was worth repeating. A few notes before I begin:
1: Nothing specifically triggered this beyond a general awareness (and a tendency to roll my eyes) over the inclusion of criticism the books are too repetitive for their liking.
I am not at all upset or bothered by this. I simply acknowledge they are able-minded, and that’s fine. I didn’t write the books just for them, so I don’t at all mind if I offend them with repetition designed to help the disabled/pain-impaired/forgetful/those suffering from ADHD/those suffering from a slew of health concerns that harm memory and retention.
2: This is on my brain because Catnapped is requiring a lot of strategic reminders, else I would have to put a warning at the front of the book that everybody would need to reread the entire damned series to follow along on this one. Yeah. Recaps and some repetition are good. But you’re welcome to re-read the series if you want to!
Onto the post:
One thing I have noticed consistently in terms of general feedback in my books is that the abled, who do not suffer from a chronic illness, etc, tend to view my books as repetitive; important details get introduced several times or reinforced as the series goes.
Abled people do not have memory problems. My books are not just written for the abled minded, or those without any form of disability.
Disabled people, such as those who suffer from ADHD, chronic pain, or other syndromes, often have impaired memory. And yes, ADHD does and can create memory impairment. (Not every ADHD sufferer also suffers memory impairment, but enough of them DO they are on my radar.)
That repetition is done fully intentionally with a focus on the disabled. The abled will view it as repetitive.
Frankly, my dear, I couldn’t give a damn.
I will continue to do those for the disabled, who need help remembering those critical little details that make a difference in the general enjoyment of the book, because those with memory impairments should be given books they can enjoy as well.
There are plenty of books for the sharp and abled.My books try to cater to as many people as possible, which means there will be repetition. Especially on key details.
This is not an editorial mistake.
This is supporting my disabled friends, especially chronic pain sufferers, who want to enjoy a book, but those damned important details keep slipping away right when they need them.
So I provide.
And that’s the story of how I ignore any and all reviews that comment about repetition.
The book wasn’t written that way for the abled. It was written that way for the disabled, who need that little extra bit of help to be able to enjoy the book fully.
If you can’t stand that sort of repetition, I’m more than happy to make some book recommendations so you don’t have to worry about it.But that’s the why of that creative choice. I’m doing the best I can to make the books accessible to everyone, even those with mental disabilities, including hampered memory due to chronic pain and other syndromes.
And no, it’s not a bad thing to have a disability, and we should not be afraid of the word. There’s nothing wrong with being disabled, there is nothing wrong with having handicaps, and there’s nothing wrong with needing a little extra help to do what others can without said help.
I have various disabilities, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. That is part of what it is to be me, and I write well aware of those challenges.
To me, it would be a disservice to those with similar disabilities if I didn’t at least try to make the book reading experience good for them, too.
Happy reading, y’all.
Or do like I do. If I don’t want the repetition I just skim until I get to the new stuff. If you want to know about repetition read some of W.E.B. Griffin’s books. He’s a revisionist too so be warned. He could still write a mean book though.
Thank you! Thank you! I love your strategic reminders. So much better than a chapter of “begats.” I appreciate that you write with readers like me in mind. A lot of medications interfere with long term memory. Your post explains why your book are more memorable for me than most! 😉
Thank you for being such an inclusive writer. Even those of us who do “identify” with any of the conditions you highlighted often need some of those critical re-iterations. I’m ployed in a relatively demanding job in an office environment and I’m approaching retirement. My memory is not what it used to be. I suggest that those critics who do not appreciate you writing method should be very thankful they are not in need of these flags….. yet.
Thank you for clarifying. I did notice the apparent repetition and thought it kind of odd, though on the first three or five re-reads the extra prompts are sometimes needed. Now that I know the ‘why’ behind the strategically placed repetition, I can acknowledge it and move on. Likely now that I know the ‘why’ I will accept it as ‘normal’ and not even pay attention to. Again, thank you! for thinking of a broader scope of readers.
: )
I have chronic pain issues and was hospitalized with covid/pneumonia from January 17 for 28 days. I am 69 and have acute congestive heart failure and copd. There was doubt for the first week if I would survive. I had to tell my daughter I might not make it and to break it to her kids. I did survive but am left with brain fog. It is fading gradually but I was in tears till I was told What it was. Now I am rereading all of my RJ books, with gratitude and appreciation!!
Thank you! I appreciate it! I’ve got really bad ADD and nothing is more frustrating then knowing there is a connection or that you’ve heard or seen something before and just not being able to remember because your brain hates you and flits from thing to thing like a humming bird on crack. Add having 4 kids to the mix all with similar problems and I’m lucky to remember what I had for breakfast or if I even had it in the first place 🙄. So again I say thank you❤️
I had not made the connection between my health issues and my ability to stay focused on a book. Thank you for explaining this. I have been having trouble staying focused on books by authors I like over the last year or so and could not figure out why. So frustrating. I have never had that issue with any of your books. Thank you.
You are a wonderful person. I admire you immensely. Keep rockin on!
Amen. Love your books. They’re snappy, fresh, snarky and there is “love, true love:.
I appreciate reminders. I do not mind re-reading a story or series, but sometimes a quick remember this is when such and such happened is great. In fact, another author I follow on facebook had someone ask a question about a minor character and other readers came in and said which book said where the information could be found. That’s what’s nice about fans. They help each other, and the author, out. And even before I suffered from chronic pain, I would forget something (especially if it was a minor something) and it’s nice to be reminded of the event. So people who think your books are too repetitive can kiss my you know what and go away. They are the kind of people who want to bring the author and fans pain and are not fans.
Recaps also allow new readers to jump in the middle of a series and still (kinda) know what’s going on without having to stop and start from the beginning. That would be discouraging to a lot of people and some might not even bother. Everyone loses. Plus, not everyone can/does read each book one right after another or soon enough that a reminder wouldn’t be appreciated. Some people *coughcough* juggle lots of books and might take a looooooong time between reads even in a single book. ^^;
This “abled” person does not have a good memory, it’s not bad, just … normal for me. It enables me to do something I love. Reading a book again and again and… Well, you get the idea.
Life it’s self is repetitive. Not only at the moment with this dratted virus, but in general. This dratted virus and the Spanish flu after WWI are but a small proof of interested pattern.
Please don’t let “abled” critics affect your writing style. The books, the stories are your creation. A treasure you chosen to share with us.
Besides which I am fairly sure that every single book, film, opera, and all other creative arts have a basic framework to them. A flat loose fabric which the authors and other creative types weave their creations on to while also embroidery their characters in to create a wonderful, luxurious tapestry for your audience to enjoy.
Would you please give your kits hugs from me and if they will allow you please keep at least one for yourself.
Thank you for your stories and stay safe
Yeah, honestly, in a lot of cases, I view my mental memory lapses as a super power. I can read an old book like it’s new over and over and over and over and over.
Sorry, didn’t check before posting. “Interesting patterns” should read “repeating patterns”
Bah. I just enjoy. The stories are always original and fun. I snickered my way through “A Chip on Her Shoulder” and happily await whatever comes next. I also enjoyed “Cold Flame” which is more serious but the characters were so complex and realistic. Keep doing you. Your true fans will be waiting to snatch up whatever comes.
People who do nothing but search for new ways to criticize an author need to get a life. For every critic there are at least 100 of us who happen to have no problem with your writing style – or we wouldn’t buy the books
Thank you, thank you for writing the way you do. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Although I may not be disabled from the traditional point of view, after two unknown heart attacks and being told I have congestive heart failure as well as a multitude of other heart issues my brain has been affected. I forget things easily, can’t remember for long the reminders/repetitions you include remind me of what has happened. Love your recaps, keep doing what you are doing. A huge thank you from a very forgetful Canadian fan.
I would definitely call heart failure a disability. It’s just invisible and people don’t know how to deal with it. Any time a condition takes you from being able to do things to being unable to do things because of that condition, it’s a disability. The government may not pay out a check for it, but it’s a disability all the same. I’m glad the recaps help you… not so glad your heart is suffering. I really hope your conditions are controlled so you can be comfortable and happy.
Edit note: do it should have been deal with it. I cannot spell or brain before morning medications.
Per this post, I read and reread your books because the characters are people I would love to know. Also, you have a wonderful imagination, think outside the box, and are a great story teller. Never boring!!! If details are repeated, well ok. No big. I am grateful for your willingness to keep writing your wonderful, querky stories. Kudos!!!!
This makes me feel so much better. I was was afraid the fog was dementia. For so many others to have similar issues eases my heart. Thank you all.
The memory lapse and brain fog from pain is real, and you’re definitely not alone.
It’s absolutely a real thing. Pain is exhausting. I get to the point where I just can’t even think. I believe it’s the brains way of dealing with it so we don’t go nuts….
My son is 31 and has high end ADHD and autism. We refer to his memory issues as ‘squirrel’ moments. It’s a family joke and makes him feel not so awful when it happens. A squirrel moment is when he’s getting ready to do a task, take his meds, whatever and …. Squirrel! Something briefly catches his eye and what he was about to do vanishes from his brain. Some things he’s learned tricks to keep him on task … Mostly it’s frustrating for him.
Repetition is a very good thing !!!!!
Your writing is terrific! Keep up the fantastic work. There are many more who appreciate and enjoy your writing than grouse about it. I guarantee it 🙂
Every one who has ever told me a story of vacation, dream, fantasy, whatever.. has repeated bits and pieces. They add flavor and I always thought of them as part and parcel of storytelling. Now I know a different reason. Thank you for wonderful books.
As someone with ADHD, chronic pain (Fibro, EDS, injuries), multiple head injuries, and memory issues due to all that plus meds, thank you for that repetition! I didn’t realize that was why I keep coming back to your books on bad days. Not just because they are fun, thought provoking, and detailed, but because they are much easier for me to read! Thank you so much for making the creative choices that you do for those of us who need those extra reminders. Gentle hugs.
I suffer from ptsd depression and anxiety and i love that you put those reminders in there the way you do. I read your books over and over and it makes me happy that i find something new in them every time. You’re the best miss blain. Please don’t stop!
I love that your characters aren’t all abled. I myself have some health issues, ones that aren’t “obvious” and get quite frustrated when people assume I can do everything they can just because I’m not missing a limb.
Funny how so many of the people I’ve encountered who complain about disabled-friendly ‘repetition’ (any disabled-friendly accessibility in books really) as being boring or too easy or ‘dumbed down’ are the same ones who can’t handle reading things like Tolkien or Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams or Elizabeth Moon or Ursula LeGuinn or….well I could go on a long time, but many of my favorite authors who I’ve been reading since I started adult books in 5th grade.
Because those books are just too hard to understand, whine.
They’re too long, the words are too hard, the sentences go on too long, the plot is too hard to follow with these long sections of different storylines that take too long to come together, too many characters, waa waa.
When burnout set in, I legitimately started having cognitive and recall problems. And a lot of these authors have been lost to me for now, because I actually can’t follow them as I’m reading. And it’s frustrating because I used to be able to. But you don’t see me calling people reading them snobs, or saying there’s something wrong with those books.
And I enjoyed children’s books written for actual children, and still do, and there’s nothing wrong with that either. These people need to suck it up. THey’re the same people getting butthurt because there’s media out there with protagonists that aren’t them, and that’s scary.
I love all of your books that I have read and have read them multiple times. I deal with daily chronic migraines and on the really bad days, your books are some of the only ones I can read and reread because my brain doesn’t get lost while I’m in a bit of a fog. I have mostly read the magical rom coms, but that’s because when I’m in that place with my head, I need the levity that comes with the story lines. Blood Bound was first one I tried that wasn’t part of the mag rom com series and I really enjoyed it. I’m really hoping to be able to get around to some of your other series because I like your writing style (not in the way that I think everything should be a comedy.) I also enjoy listening to the audio versions because I sometimes need to be doing something else for my brain to process everything so I listen and crochet (Murder Mittens might be the book I’ve physically read the most since it was released.)
Absolutely love the Magical Romantic Comedy series. Wish I could live there. Love, love, love. And Vigilante Librarian & Fox Witch. Write at your own pace.
Ignore the rude, cowardly bastards who criticize & complain online–because they sure are not going to complain to your face. Just makes them cyber bullies.
And as far as exercise goes, is swimming an option? Uses all limbs, burn more calories because also keeping warm, and takes weight off joints. And I don’t trip over my own feet.
My father suffers from food ennui (almost 80 yrs old), so I deliver a meal, fruit plate, every 7-10 days. Just having a different cook can make a difference. And I prep the fresh fruit & pkg small meals every week, in my house, for work. Find that the prepped & ready gets eaten even when boring. Especially when it is size of snack plate.
Sending good thoughts your way. Feel better.
Pools are still closed because of COVID here, but with the vaccinations starting to roll out, maybe soonish!