Gail Simone has an article up on her blog with some excellent advice for authors and fans alike about how to turn people off of whatever it is you're trying to turn them onto. The secret? Whine about how no one's reading it."...if we make a book that isn't appealing enough to be picked up off the shelves... is that really the customer's fault? Is it right to imply that a book's failing is solely because of the readers?
"...it's wrong to blame the customer if they don't want your product. This is true both of individual creators and even large publishers, and trying to guilt a reader into buying a book is a bad move because; 1) It rarely works, and 2) It's chicken."
For more insight on why it doesn't work, check out the link. It's good stuff for writers, but it's also good for fans who are trying to drum up support for a favorite book or show. She also has advice on how you should drum up support:
"If you love a book and it could use more readers, I suggest you consider telling people why it's great, what it is you love about it. Imagine someone suggesting you try a new restaurant by saying, 'This restaurant is going under... why aren't you eating there?' It's just not appealing. It may feel good momentarily to say, but ultimately, it just bugs the hell out of me to blame the readers when they WANT to support comics. It's we who, somewhere between our computer and the comic shop, didn't give them something they felt intrigued, compelled, or horny enough to buy."
2 comments:
I remember that quote.
It might've hit a lil too close to my own experiences if it'd been something like, "Imagine someone suggesting you try a new restaurant by saying, 'This restaurant is going under... why aren't you eating there," then going the extra step of saying THIS restaurant is factually, objectively, uncategorically, and demonstrably superior to THAT restaurant... as if these things aren't really matters of opinion.
Yep. Talking down to me always makes ME wanna follow someone's suggestion!
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