Are you a fan of anything? Have you ever written a “fan” letter?
I was thinking about this recently. I was thinking about the fact that although I admire many writers, many musicians, many artists, many people for a variety of reasons, I don’t think I’ve ever written a fan letter, per se. In fact, even if I’m in the room with the person I admire, very rarely will I even go up to them and say how much I like their work — unless it’s someone who I already know.
Partly I figure the person already knows how good they are, and partly this is my own shyness. I don’t want to bother anyone, and I guess there’s a little bit of that feeling of why would anyone really care whether I like their work or not? And yet I know from my own personal experience that letters from readers mean a lot to me — especially if I’m having trouble getting motivated to write, or someone writes a review that seems to entirely miss the point.
And it is true that those of us making money (however little) on our work do realize that we’ve achieved a certain level of competency and skill. We’re good enough that someone else is willing to invest in our creative efforts, and that’s a vote of confidence if ever there was one, and yet I think all artists, all creative types, have a streak of insecurity, an occasional uncertainty about whether we’re as good as some people seem to think, and whether anyone should really be paying for stuff that we would probably do for free if worse came to worse.
I recently had a small disagreement with Mr. Thrilling about reviews. He was saying that he was going to have to stop reviewing one of his longtime favorite authors because he felt his reviews were becoming sort of a “gimme.” And I felt indignant on behalf of this writer because it seemed to me that my esteemed Mr. Thrilling was more concerned with his credibility as a reviewer — that he might look like an easy grader to the other kids — rather than looking at the big picture which is a) He really does love this author’s work, and what’s wrong with championing an author you love? and b) We authors actually have very few “gimmes” to look forward to.
Even the big name authors get to a point where a lot of reviewers want to take a hatchet to them just because they get so many good reviews, or they’re so popular that that begins to grate on some people.
I do believe that authors, musicians, painters, filmmakers should not whine about bad reviews (although we all do it on occasion, even if just to our long-suffering spouses) because when you put your work out there into the world, it becomes of the world, and fair game — especially if we are in the enviable position of being paid for our artistic endeavors. People have a right to say what they think of your work, especially if they paid good money for it — or if it is their job to review it.
But at the same time, paid or not, writing a book is not quite the same thing as turning in your month end report or the sales figures for the region. It’s personal. It’s part of you. And many of the criticisms against it will be subjective: I didn’t like these characters, I didn’t think this was realistic, I thought the story was slow-moving… Well, okay, but is your opinion more valid than the next person’s? Probably not. Is it more valid than mine? Well, for you it is, but for me it isn’t.
I’m not saying the naysayers don’t have a right to speak up; I’m saying that when you like something, it’s well worth letting the other person know. Because I think we all have a tendency to focus on the negatives anyway. It’s nice to hear that someone appreciates your creative efforts, that someone “gets it,” and speaking for myself, I don’t get tired of hearing that. I don’t ever take it for granted.
Yep, I think I just might write Elizabeth Peters a fan letter. I’ve been enjoying her work since I was a kid, she influenced my own work, and why not tell her so? Does it diminish my own credibility to tell someone I love what they do? Would it really take up that much of her time? Nah. I think I’ll do it, if for no other reason than because my own readers have been so generous about writing me.
What about you? Have you ever written a fan letter? Would you? If you were the kind of person who wrote fan letters, who would you write and why?
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Not really. ^_^
I DID send what I suppose could only be described as a fan email to the lovely Ms Raybourn after I finished “Silent in the Grave”, but that was completely unprecedented.
I always feel, though, that there’s not a lot to be said that hasn’t been said before, in instances like that.
by Kaitlin on January 28th, 2008 at 2:07 am
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I’ve written two. After my first book came out, I sent a copy to Mary Higgins Clark with a letter, letting her know that my enjoyment of her work (since I was 14) was largely responsible for my decision to write mysteries as opposed to my original intention to write cildren’s books.
I also wrote an email to a mainstream romance writer once. I’d picked up her book while on vacation a few years ago purely for *something* to read. Her characters were so amazing, so realistic that I had to write her and tell her how I admired her skill (she was thrilled).
by Laura on January 28th, 2008 at 5:09 am
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I probably wrote a few in my teenage years, I won’t say to who since that will date me and a lot of people will say, “Donny who?”
But I do try to comment, especially on blogs and in my own blog when I really love a character or a book. And I read the books from authors that I feel a connection with from blogs or web groups or even location. So that gives me more opportunity to say, Diana, I loved Grace. Or Laura, I enjoyed Forecast of Evil.
So am I a mini groupie? Yes, I think I am. Would I (if I ever publish a novel) want someone to really like my work and say so, yes. So I try to reach out to those writers I like to give them some encouragement to keep writing.
by Lynn on January 28th, 2008 at 7:42 am
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PS, Diana,
I finished Sleeping Murder and I did enjoy it. Can I get of probational status? Or do you have more homework?
by Lynn on January 28th, 2008 at 7:43 am
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*cough* purple socks *cough*
I’m right there with you Lynn. 
And thanks for the shout-out on Forecast. It’s a nice start to my day!
by Laura on January 28th, 2008 at 8:21 am
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I wrote one or two back when I was young(er) and a lot more impressionable. And like Lynn, I’ll plead the fifth on when and who, because it might incriminate (or date) me.
Lately, I’ve had occasion to email a few authors to tell them I’ve enjoyed their work, so I guess maybe those were fan letters. Doesn’t seem the same when it’s just a brief email saying, ‘Diana, I read the excerpt of Corpse Pose on your website and enjoyed it,’ but maybe it is. Hey, I wrote you a fan letter, Di!
So what’s ‘Sleeping Murder’ and when do I get to read it? 
by JennieB on January 28th, 2008 at 9:39 am
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Other than a lovely chat I had once with Barbara Hambly, where I probably came off sounding like a goof, but she was nice enough to smile and converse with me anyway, I hadn’t told any writer how much I liked their work until I stumbled across Laura’s blog entry about the mail carrier/FedEx guys thinking she was a lunatic. That was just the most perfectly themed and written thing for me at that exact moment in time, for me to write to her and tell her just how clever and funny I thought it was. She was so nice in return that I’ve stayed with this blog and read a good number of books from GGs and other contributors (sorry I didn’t write to any of you - I generally have liked all of them). And a friend in the dog world told me aboout Patience Renzulli’s blog, and I’ve written to her, but other than that…
by Kate Hathway on January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
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Do emails count? I frequently emails writers whose work I enjoy. Of course, these days, if they have a blog, I’ll just comment and tell them there how much I enjoy their work. 
by Tori Lennox on January 28th, 2008 at 11:14 am
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I write more ‘fan’ emails now than ever. Probably because I realize how good they make a writer feel. If I truly enjoy a book, I can’t wait to email the author and tell them exactly what I loved about the book 
by Wendy Roberts on January 28th, 2008 at 11:42 am
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I always feel, though, that there’s not a lot to be said that hasn’t been said before, in instances like that.
Exactly, Kaitlin, yet I know from being on the receiving end that we never get tired of hearing these things, that it’s easy to forget our strengths and focus on our weaknesses — and I know I’m not unique in this. Which is why women since the beginning of time turn to their spouses and say, “Do I look all right in this?”
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
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I also wrote an email to a mainstream romance writer once. I’d picked up her book while on vacation a few years ago purely for *something* to read. Her characters were so amazing, so realistic that I had to write her and tell her how I admired her skill (she was thrilled).
I bet she was. I can’t imagine getting tired of knowing that your work struck a chord with someone, influenced someone, made their day — changed their life.
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
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I probably wrote a few in my teenage years, I won’t say to who since that will date me and a lot of people will say, “Donny who?”
Giggle. I know who you mean! But he was so much OLDER than us!
But I do try to comment, especially on blogs and in my own blog when I really love a character or a book. And I read the books from authors that I feel a connection with from blogs or web groups or even location. So that gives me more opportunity to say, Diana, I loved Grace. Or Laura, I enjoyed Forecast of Evil.
I think blogs have changed the interactedness of the reviewing process. That’s an interesting point.
So am I a mini groupie? Yes, I think I am. Would I (if I ever publish a novel) want someone to really like my work and say so, yes. So I try to reach out to those writers I like to give them some encouragement to keep writing.
Well, and sometimes the encouragment and feedback is the best portion of a writer’s renumeration. Unless you hit the big time, there’s not a lot of money in writing fiction.
I think maybe it is that fear of seeming like a fan or a groupie that holds people back — it seems so gushing and teenager-ish to picture sitting down and writing a letter, but I’ve received such intelligent, beautifully expressed letters from readers! A long way from…er…Tiger Beat. 
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
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PS, Diana,
I finished Sleeping Murder and I did enjoy it. Can I get of probational status? Or do you have more homework?
Very good! Congratulations, Lynn. You are not off probie status.
I think SECRET OF THE CHIMNEYS is quite good too, but that’s just for extra credit.
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
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*cough* purple socks *cough*
Come now, Laura, you’d have had to write with a crayon, a little tyke like yourself!!!
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
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Lately, I’ve had occasion to email a few authors to tell them I’ve enjoyed their work, so I guess maybe those were fan letters. Doesn’t seem the same when it’s just a brief email saying, ‘Diana, I read the excerpt of Corpse Pose on your website and enjoyed it,’ but maybe it is. Hey, I wrote you a fan letter, Di!
Well, not that I don’t hugely appreciate those, because I do!:D But I’m thinking of those formal “Dear Miss Christie, I just wanted to express my appreciation …”
Speaking of which, SLEEPING MURDER is one my favorite Christie novels with Miss J., so you can read it any old time!!
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
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I thought it was. She was so nice in return that I’ve stayed with this blog and read a good number of books from GGs and other contributors (sorry I didn’t write to any of you - I generally have liked all of them).
Ha! But that’s it exactly. Laura’s post hit a note with you, and you were moved to express it — out of the blue. That’s not exactly the same thing, and yet it’s the spririt of the genuine fan letter.
And a friend in the dog world told me aboout Patience Renzulli’s blog, and I’ve written to her, but other than that…
The Internet has changed things to the point where we comment on each other’s comments! That’s a cyber version of letters to the editor, perhaps?
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
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Do emails count? I frequently emails writers whose work I enjoy.
Oh definitely! In fact, email makes it easier to let authors — anyone, really — know that you appreciate their work. There’s almost no excuse NOT to let someone know. ;-D
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
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I write more ‘fan’ emails now than ever. Probably because I realize how good they make a writer feel. If I truly enjoy a book, I can’t wait to email the author and tell them exactly what I loved about the book
I think that’s what changed my perspective too, Wendy! Kind of like a child learning by example. 
It finally occurred to me one day that I probably was not unique in appreciating hearing from readers!
by Diana Killian on January 28th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
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I had forgotten about the purple socks, LOL. Since I lived only four hours away from SLC, I always thought, maybe, someday….
See I should be writing romance.
I’ll get Secret of the Chimneys on my next run to the library.
I wrote last night a story for the Highlights Fiction Contest but realized this am that they have set a catagory of the story being in the future. Which of course, mine isn’t.
I hate details.
by Lynn on January 28th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
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The Secret of Chimneys? One of my favorite Agatha Christies. My all-time favorite, though, is The Pale Horse. I read it last week, as a matter of fact…
by JennieB on January 28th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
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I wrote last night a story for the Highlights Fiction Contest but realized this am that they have set a catagory of the story being in the future. Which of course, mine isn’t.
I hate details.
Details, schmeetails! Good for you, Lynn! I’m proud of you getting your writing out there.
by Diana Killian on January 30th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
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I need to read Pale Horse again, Jennie. It’s been years! I remember that being one of my favorites.
by Diana Killian on January 30th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
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