50 Shades - Great, or the Greatest?

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Replies

  • Nachise
    Nachise Posts: 395 Member
    I'll fess up: I'm jealous.

    I want to make a buttload of money from writing badly.
    It obviously filled a void, whether it was simplicity, or timing or whatever. It has been talked about to death, whether people love it, hate it, or are just non-committal. I think more people would like the freedom to talk about sex without judgement and censorship. Maybe this is the itch that was scratched:)

    I really wish the community discussions were formatted like FB threads. So much to like. So much to sigh and roll my eyes about...

    I thought 50 Shades was so poorly written that I never got to "inner goddess", much less "pickles". YA with an edge? There is better YA stuff written out there, and it is edgier. Frankly, I think it was written by a college frat boy trying to channel his inner girl.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    I'll fess up: I'm jealous.

    I want to make a buttload of money from writing badly.
    It obviously filled a void, whether it was simplicity, or timing or whatever. It has been talked about to death, whether people love it, hate it, or are just non-committal. I think more people would like the freedom to talk about sex without judgement and censorship. Maybe this is the itch that was scratched:)

    I really wish the community discussions were formatted like FB threads. So much to like. So much to sigh and roll my eyes about...

    I thought 50 Shades was so poorly written that I never got to "inner goddess", much less "pickles". YA with an edge? There is better YA stuff written out there, and it is edgier. Frankly, I think it was written by a college frat boy trying to channel his inner girl.

    College frat boys can write
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Noogynoogs
    Noogynoogs Posts: 1,028 Member
    Why read about it when you can be doing it:wink:
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    The popularity of these books is an embarrassment to anyone who writes, anyone who reads, and women in general. Anyone who bought them should plant a tree in apology to the trees that died in order to make the paper for all those books.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    The popularity of these books is an embarrassment to anyone who writes, anyone who reads, and women in general. Anyone who bought them should plant a tree in apology to the trees that died in order to make the paper for all those books.

    Some peoples failure to understand the genre doesn't subtract from it. Just like Legos are simple forms, they can be used to construct stories and great edifices.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    The popularity of these books is an embarrassment to anyone who writes, anyone who reads, and women in general. Anyone who bought them should plant a tree in apology to the trees that died in order to make the paper for all those books.

    Some peoples failure to understand the genre doesn't subtract from it. Just like Legos are simple forms, they can be used to construct stories and great edifices.

    Uhm... what? Personally I like BDSM erotica, I like erotica in general. I just prefer books that don't have me wanting to rewrite them in the first 20 pages of the first book.
  • tycho_mx
    tycho_mx Posts: 426 Member
    Fairly simple question. I've never seen a work of fiction so thoroughly explore women's issues.

    Only read excerpts, but seriously - lots of other authors have touched these. Anais Nin comes to mind for similar takes on sexuality. As for more psyche issues - lots more authors.

    But nowhere near as popular. Which doesn't mean bad, but it doesn't mean "best ever". Based on that logic, Harry Potter would be the greatest exploration on maturation from childhood to adult ... it is not :)
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    The popularity of these books is an embarrassment to anyone who writes, anyone who reads, and women in general. Anyone who bought them should plant a tree in apology to the trees that died in order to make the paper for all those books.

    Crap romantic/erotic fiction has been around since women started being able to read in large numbers (like the late 1700s). I refuse to apologize for it.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    50 shades is garbage for simple minded people

    so sad that book is so celebrated when there are so many reads out there so contextually better.

    Reality is sex sells no matter how you cut it.

    It is pure smut for the simple and boring masses.

    Stop being sheep people, you are better than that, demand adult fiction with substance. Truthfully if there a gun to my head I would chose to reread the whole Twilight series over again than one 50 shades book. And yes, I read Twilight, Harry potter, Divergent, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (hilarious), and a whole host of young adult fiction having two kids in my house :)

    And what is wrong with garbage for simple minded people? I like Fanny Hill. I like Roderick Random (though, if you want to talk about a skeeze-bucket). I like Moll Flanders and Clarissa.

    I'm not sure what 50 Shades has to do with "women's issues." I think the best contemporary pop-lit insight there would be Lipstick Jungle. But, for smut-lit, it's pretty fun. Of course, I don't read too much of the stuff written in the last century. I usually am left thinking "get a room" after the first chapter.

    ETA - my inner goddess is doing the chicken-dance.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    The popularity of these books is an embarrassment to anyone who writes, anyone who reads, and women in general. Anyone who bought them should plant a tree in apology to the trees that died in order to make the paper for all those books.

    Some peoples failure to understand the genre doesn't subtract from it. Just like Legos are simple forms, they can be used to construct stories and great edifices.

    Uhm... what? Personally I like BDSM erotica, I like erotica in general. I just prefer books that don't have me wanting to rewrite them in the first 20 pages of the first book.

    Fan fiction / found gothic isn't about having perfect English or floral constructs. Like I said, general failure of understanding that "primitive" writing is about issues in language construct.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    I'm sorry, but I found the books horribly written and stupid, as well as promoting an abusive relationship.

    I have no intention of seeing the film.




    THIS ^^^ All day long. I found it unreadable, and I'm not at ALL interested in the S/M master/slave domination thing. That, I find revolting and an enormous turn off.
  • DamePiglet
    DamePiglet Posts: 3,730 Member
    Why read about it when you can be doing it:wink:

    oprah-right.gif?w=1024&h=600
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    My inner goddess just strangled my inner housewife.

    In accordance with the hierarchy in this thread.
  • greentart
    greentart Posts: 411 Member
    Appalled at the closed-mindedness. It's like 1692 in here.

    Think so? I happen to write erotica and have had some things published. Difference is I write GOOD erotica.

    How, precisely, do you measure "good erotica"? Whether is sold? Whether it got good reviews? Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie. A good major have loved the books. She also doesn't go around bashing other people's writings..........

    Depending on your definition of "good"... I'd say she writes better erotica than you. :glasses:
  • tycho_mx
    tycho_mx Posts: 426 Member
    Appalled at the closed-mindedness. It's like 1692 in here.

    Think so? I happen to write erotica and have had some things published. Difference is I write GOOD erotica.

    How, precisely, do you measure "good erotica"? Whether is sold? Whether it got good reviews? Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie. A good major have loved the books. She also doesn't go around bashing other people's writings..........

    Depending on your definition of "good"... I'd say she writes better erotica than you. :glasses:

    Based on your logic, Bieber is a better musician than Mozart. Hint - he's not.
  • DamePiglet
    DamePiglet Posts: 3,730 Member
    My inner goddess just strangled my inner housewife.

    In accordance with the hierarchy in this thread.
    I think that's from Penthouse, not 50 shades. :wink:
  • 949BeachMom
    949BeachMom Posts: 89
    There are so many erotica books out there . If I wanted to read a book or watch a movie to turn me on id go online not follow the sheep n waste my money on 50 shades of crap already written before
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Based on your logic, Bieber is a better musician than Mozart. Hint - he's not.

    Actually, he probably is.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    ...simple minded people...so many reads out there so contextually better...for the simple and boring masses...stop being sheep people...

    Smells like...

    ...under-employed college grad.

    @#$## sex. The way some y'all are getting worked up about it, I'm wondering if it's been too long since you've actually had any! :smokin:
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Appalled at the closed-mindedness. It's like 1692 in here.

    Think so? I happen to write erotica and have had some things published. Difference is I write GOOD erotica.

    How, precisely, do you measure "good erotica"? Whether is sold? Whether it got good reviews? Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie. A good major have loved the books. She also doesn't go around bashing other people's writings..........

    Depending on your definition of "good"... I'd say she writes better erotica than you. :glasses:

    Based on your logic, Bieber is a better musician than Mozart. Hint - he's not.

    Metallica ain't bad and neither are the Beatles.
  • roanokejoe49
    roanokejoe49 Posts: 820 Member
    Why read about it when you can be doing it:wink:

    oprah-right.gif?w=1024&h=600

    I absolutely agree. Now come here and take your spanking.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie.

    That just proves the masses are stupid. *shrug*
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie.

    That just proves the masses are stupid. *shrug*

    I used to think that about Michael Jackson and Prince. Sad me. The masses are less stupid than they seem. Name a great artist who wasn't celebrated in their own time.

    (Of course, I can name some mere hacks who were popular in their own time and never heard of now - I think 50 Shades is one of these. I rate it right about at the "Undomestic Goddess" level. Airplane lit, you know.

    Of course there are some priceless ones few have ever heard about either. And I've never been able to tell where "Three Penny Opera" falls on this scale.)
  • Veil5577
    Veil5577 Posts: 868 Member
    Appalled at the closed-mindedness. It's like 1692 in here.

    Think so? I happen to write erotica and have had some things published. Difference is I write GOOD erotica.

    How, precisely, do you measure "good erotica"? Whether is sold? Whether it got good reviews? Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie. A good major have loved the books. She also doesn't go around bashing other people's writings..........

    Depending on your definition of "good"... I'd say she writes better erotica than you. :glasses:

    My definition of "good" is that people can read it without flinching in pain. Her story is completely ripped off from Twilight, at least mine is original. My heroine is not a college graduate who has never used a computer and uses British slang terms even though she's American. And while I do dabble in BDSM, I don't create a hero who stalks the heroine and makes her sign a contract to endure pain. FSOG only sold well because it was fan fic. Not because it was good.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie.

    That just proves the masses are stupid. *shrug*

    I used to think that about Michael Jackson and Prince. Sad me. The masses are less stupid than they seem. Name a great artist who wasn't celebrated in their own time.

    (Of course, I can name some mere hacks who were popular in their own time and never heard of now - I think 50 Shades is one of these. I rate it right about at the "Undomestic Goddess" level. Airplane lit, you know.

    Of course there are some priceless ones few have ever heard about either. And I've never been able to tell where "Three Penny Opera" falls on this scale.)
    LMAO

    Seriously? You're trolling, right? If EL James is a "great artist" in her art of choice, then so was my 3-year-old daughter a great artist with her stick figures and drawing suns in the corner of the paper.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie.

    That just proves the masses are stupid. *shrug*

    I used to think that about Michael Jackson and Prince. Sad me. The masses are less stupid than they seem. Name a great artist who wasn't celebrated in their own time.

    (Of course, I can name some mere hacks who were popular in their own time and never heard of now - I think 50 Shades is one of these. I rate it right about at the "Undomestic Goddess" level. Airplane lit, you know.

    Of course there are some priceless ones few have ever heard about either. And I've never been able to tell where "Three Penny Opera" falls on this scale.)
    LMAO

    Seriously? You're trolling, right? If EL James is a "great artist" in her art of choice, then so was my 3-year-old daughter a great artist with her stick figures and drawing suns in the corner of the paper.

    If your three-year-old can convince 100 million people to buy her work, then she's a great artist.

    I kind of feel the same way about Madonna.
  • delicious_cocktail
    delicious_cocktail Posts: 5,797 Member
    If your three-year-old can convince 100 million people to buy her work, then she's a great artist.

    I kind of feel the same way about Madonna.

    The difference is between madonna and a three year old, though, is that in thirty years the three year old will have matured a little.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Bad reviews? She's sold MILLIONS of copies and is now making it into a movie.

    That just proves the masses are stupid. *shrug*

    I used to think that about Michael Jackson and Prince. Sad me. The masses are less stupid than they seem. Name a great artist who wasn't celebrated in their own time.

    (Of course, I can name some mere hacks who were popular in their own time and never heard of now - I think 50 Shades is one of these. I rate it right about at the "Undomestic Goddess" level. Airplane lit, you know.

    Of course there are some priceless ones few have ever heard about either. And I've never been able to tell where "Three Penny Opera" falls on this scale.)
    LMAO

    Seriously? You're trolling, right? If EL James is a "great artist" in her art of choice, then so was my 3-year-old daughter a great artist with her stick figures and drawing suns in the corner of the paper.

    If your three-year-old can convince 100 million people to buy her work, then she's a great artist.

    I kind of feel the same way about Madonna.
    No, that doesn't make her a great artist. That simply proves, as I stated, that people are stupid and unoriginal.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    I just want to invite the OP to my red room of pain.

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