This Writer’s Refutal
I received yesterday a comment from a reader re my debut book. I value the comments I get from all of you who took time to read the book, positive or otherwise. I believe these are all part of getting to know and learning from one own’s public. But the allegations she made challenged not just my integrity and credibility as a person but also as a writer.
After much consideration, I came into the conclusion that these are reasons enough that should compel me to respond not only in my own defense but also of the publishing house that placed its utmost trust in my work. So I am devoting this whole post to repudiate whatever speculations flying around and leave the judgment to you, dear readers.
Madam,
Thank you for your expert and highly insightful comment on my capacity as a writer.
Like you, I have the highest regard for Ms. Montelibano’s prose. Let me reassure you that should I decide to use her work as a framework for my own book, I’d do everything by the book, no pun intended – complete with references, endnotes and footnotes else I end up being slapped with a civil case, complete with a docket number by my own publisher.
Since you short of accused me of plagiarizing my colleague’s work, kindly point out which part of my work clearly misrepresented hers and so unwittingly owned as my own. Since you think of me already guilty of paraphrasing and imitating her syntax, style and structure, cite me samples. Concrete ones – i.e. passages wherein I substituted the description of her characters with a different set of synonyms and also made use of the same tone, pace, etc.
Are you a writer? You sounded like one. This I gather from the way your comment was worded – it can only come from someone belonging to the same set. But then again, I have been wrong before.
If I may ask, how does one so learned like you qualify and identify “deeper writing”? What school of literary criticism and thought should I look on to? How do I bring about my writing to a more “deeper” level? How would I know when my writing is “deep” enough? Is there a gauge? Parameters? Please enlighten me so that a writer like me can greatly benefit from your extensive know-how.
You know Fifi dear, I think your post is way TOO DEEP for that critic-wannabe to even comprehend. Doesn’t she know that in order to be a critic, she should write even better than the person whose work she’s reviewing? Obviously, she ( I am sure she is female; who reads romance anyways) doesn’t have the depth of vocabulary to write you a decent review, much less give you any tips on how to write better and deeper. Some people’s desperation to get noticed or their desire to sound “intellectual” make them stoop so low as to publicly malign others just so they’d look good or feel smart. Pathetic individuals. I have no patience for such losers. Next time, do not dignify such comments. Leave ‘em to rot with the person who wrote it. And as your editor and publisher, i have the highest regard for your talent and depth as a writer. One only has to read this blog site to know that.
I can only imagine, the dreaded accusations. Worse than a bad review. Deep breath, you now it is not true. Just the other day hubby was saying, isn’t it possible for writers to end up with all the same story? He is not even close to a writer btw, but answered his own question while I was pondering *_* when he said all the stories would still be individualized, as much as we are individual. If my book ends up like another, the story needs to be told more than once, the message needs said in many ways. There are listeners for every book, they cannot all hear only one message-type. Fiction is as important to opening and learning as nonfiction. Writing is spiritual in essence. I hope you have shaken it all off and gone on with a lovely weekend. essa
very well said. thank you for your thoughts, essa. i share the same sentiment. writers take distinct routes and decisions to reach their writing destinations.
and yes, i freed myself from the negative vibles and will thoroughly enjoy the weekend.
There are writers who can write, and readers who think they can write.
As it turns out, one must check one’s own grammar and sentences first before attacking another…
kat,
hey kat!!
ahaha.. as f wer clox..i just want 2 say..
i like the story of XANDER.. it was the first story Ive red (na ikaw ung nag wrote..) ..hehe,, 8 touch my heart.. just keep on writing.. especially a romantic story.. i really like it.. ill support u…
aja! aja! aja!
thanks for the support, joeamm! i’m happy you liked xander.