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I am a contemporary romance writer. I published my first novel, Take 2, in Dec 2012. I chat about relationships and love. I'm no expert! I'd love your feedback!

Saturday, June 23, 2012


This week my guest is Laci Paige and the topic this week is, "What are you reading?" Like so many out there, Laci is trying to decide if she should read Fifty Shades Of Gray.  There is so hype about it. Have you read it?  Help Laci decide if she should. 


Fifty Shades…Should I, or Shouldn’t I?
With all the hype over EL James’s, Fifty Shades of Grey, I wonder if I should read it. It’s on my “maybe” list. I keep going to read it, but then something else pulls me away from it, probably because I am so skeptical. 
I’m not currently reading anything, so again I am left wondering if I should read it or not. I don’t want to waste my time, or my money, because both are precious to me. My non-writing friends all say that I have to read it. My fellow authors have mixed reviews. Some say it’s okay, but most of them disliked it.
Looking at the Amazon reviews doesn’t help me either. It has 3,000 five-stars, and 2,100 one-stars, and not many two, three or four stars to speak about. So what it comes down to looking at Amazon is the same thing. Either you hate it or you love it.
I know one day I will give in, but I don’t think that day will be today. I have so much writing that I am working on that I don’t have time for a lengthy book anyway. If I do read, I will snatch up a novella or two. 
My non-writing friends love it so I have to ask myself why. Why do they enjoy it? First, I think that the erotic thing is something new for most, and that in itself is fun and exciting. Second, they’ve never been through the editing process. 
Those two things are why I think my author friends don’t seem to enjoy it as much. A lot of us have read erotic stories or we’ve been around romance writers during our daily promo work for our own stuff, so the erotic/adult thing isn’t new to us. It’s old hat. Then the editing bit of it, being that I haven’t read it I don’t know firsthand, but a lot of people are complaining about the story, the characters, and the dialog not being believable. “No one speaks like that.” - is one quote I’ve seen a lot of. Then there’s the complaint of over used words and actions (I’m guilty of that as a writer, but my editor always straightens me out on that front). Fifty Shades being put out by Random House means it should have been edited, right? Doesn’t sound like it.
From what I’ve gathered this trilogy is nothing more than glorified poorly written “fan-fiction”. So can you see my dilemma? To read or not to read? Let me hear your thoughts, see if you can persuade me either way. 
Laci Paige is a debut erotic romance writer of the novella, Let’s Keep On Truckin’. Laci’s also penned a young adult paranormal romance under a different pen name. When she isn’t reading, writing, or eating chocolate she is probably out playing with her camera somewhere trying to find the time to finish her online photography course. 
Laci loves to interact with her fans, you can find her at:
Her debut novella is available on many fine eBook retailers’ websites as well as on publisher’s: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=540&osCsid=28h21vnldsgfgbo3feevilqdj3

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for visiting my blog Laci! Let me know if you decide to read 50 Shades Of Gray!

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    1. Thanks for having me!
      I will let you know either way!

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  2. Hmmm...I can only say that I haven't read it and really don't plan to but I enjoyed your musings on the subject. Definitely let us know if you read it!

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    1. LOL I will Jane, thanks for stopping by and commenting :)

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  3. I can't say I've read it, but I do have the set to inevitable, one day I will actually go and read them. Like you, I've seen so many mixed opinions on the book. A lot of my friends are raving about it, and like you most of them seem to be readers and not writers... does that tell us that readers are preferring the more basic simplicity of what a book can provide us? If so then it's a poor day for writers who actually want to provide the best material they can and that includes the edits.

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    1. I don't know that they prefer the basic simplicity or not, but I think this tells us the average reader who doesn't know what it's like to edit a book, cannot pick up on basic editing errors. This shouldn't be a reason to skimp out on an editor though. Because writers read too.

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  4. Read Liz Crowe instead. I've heard she is much better. (ring) Start with Floor time... I'm only slightly biased as we have the same publisher and editor. I have not read either as too much sex for me in both series.

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    1. I love Liz. We also have a publisher and probably an editor or two in common through Decadent Publishing.

      I haven't read Floor Time (yet), but I love her Caught Offside, and her Turkish Delight/Blue Cruise.

      Thanks for chiming in Tasha! :)

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  5. Read Liz Crowe.... the Realtors Series is Captivating.... Floor Time, Sweat Equity and Closing Costs.... then Book 4 (I think the best) The Essence of Time... enjoy!!!!

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    1. I've added it to my TRB list for sure!
      Thanks! :)

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  6. Great blog ladies! We are in the same boat as Jane, no plans on reading it. It seems that reader friends of our do like it, but writer friends do not. Just what we have heard.

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    1. Yep, that seems to be the general consensus! :) Thanks for stopping by!

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