Are Your Reading Habits Affected by Television?

I purchased the first season of Downtown Abbey, an early 1900's British melodrama, for my mom as a Christmas gift. She and I both love movies set in historical England, and I had a feeling she would enjoy this popular series.

When I came across Julie Bosman's excellent article "If You're Mad for 'Downton,' Publishers Have Reading List" on NYTimes.com (article is linked) I nodded throughout. Publishers realize an important factor in today's media consumption. Television and movies tend to spark interest in readers, and we have a hearty appetite to learn and experience more on the same topics.

I routinely get way too excited about a subject after watching something on television. Over the holidays, we found a two-hour-long special on the History channel featuring home movies of the Kennedys. I only had a basic understanding of the famous family, but after seeing their big smiles, endless football games, and hearing the biography of the family as a whole, I wanted to learn more. Several trips to the library ensued, and that in turn, sparked interest in the style-mavericks of the 50's. I just ordered a book on Slim Keith.

Also, my husband and I are not the greatest at remembering ancient history. A fascinating television program about why ancient Egypt's civilization collapsed had us debating the when, what, who, and how of that time.

I'm already ordering books to help us figure it out.

Just as television can prompt us to read a wider variety of books, it can also help writers get a feel for what topics interest viewers. The popularity of Once Upon a Time will ensure more cheeky, suspenseful fairy tales are published. The Walking Dead continues to spur zombie fiction. And Downtown Abbey will undoubtedly pave the way for even more fabulous fiction set around WWI England.

Have any television programs spurred you to read a book you might not have picked up?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Tweet

Share

Celebrity Best-Sellers: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

I read this article from NYTimes.com a few days ago, "Celebrity Books and Ghostwriters: In Their Own Words? Maybe" (full article is linked and worth a read) by Julie Bosman. Although nothing in it completely surprised me, my emotions churned--none of them good.

The piece left me a little bitter, irritated, and maybe even a tad angry. I realize life isn't fair (that fact has been pounded in my head from birth) and I wouldn't say I'm all that envious of these celebrities with hit shows, huge endorsements, clothing lines, and who now have taken the publishing world by storm.

What bothers me is that these celebrities are taking credit for skills they do not possess.

The article shares that Nicole Polizzi, "Snookie," from MTV's hit Jersey Shore claims she's only read two books in her entire life. I continued on and found the following:

When Ms. Polizzi appeared on “Today” in January, Matt Lauer asked, “Did you really write this book?”


“I did,” Ms. Polizzi said. “Because if you read it, you’ll know the first page that I wrote it. Cause, like, it’s all my language.” (When pressed further, she admitted that there was a co-writer.)

It seems many of these celebrities claim to have written their own books, but when pressed, admit to a collaborator, aka, a ghostwriter.

Further on in the article:

Ms. Richie promoted her second novel, “Priceless,” in an interview last year with USA Today, describing her writing routine: write early in the morning, before the rest of her family wakes up. “I write all my own stories,” she said.


But Ms. Richie’s publisher, Judith Curr of Atria Books, indicated otherwise, saying that a ghostwriter did most of the writing of Ms. Richie’s book. (Ms. Richie did not respond to a request for comment.)

At least Snooki eventually owned up to having a co-writer, although I wonder how "co" the co-writer could be if Snooki's only read two books. Nicole Richie wouldn't even give her ghostwriter a sliver of credit! These celebrities enjoy perks most average people will never see--I guess they want to eat their cake and claim they baked it too.

So why does this incense me so? After a round of self-analysis involving Coke and brownie bites, I figured out my problem.

It's the lying.

Lying about "writing in the morning" and passing off a book as their own belittles the years of work most writers put in to become publishable. Taking full credit for a book when one only contributed "all of the ideas" is wrong.

Ideas are easy. Executing them into a readable book is hard.

Am I a writer snob? Yes. Yes I am.

If you claim to be the sole writer of a book and state you put the time in every morning to write, then watch said book climb to #1 on best-seller lists--well, you'd better be telling the truth, and you'd better be writing and revising every last page. If not, then admit it. Give the real writer credit, if not in name at least with a reference to your co-writer.

How do you feel about celebrities taking full credit when someone else wrote the bulk of the book?

I'm guest blogging over at Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America today! Stop by for "How Much Sizzle in the Summer Romance?"

Have a fabulous Friday!!

Tweet

Share