Hello. I’m Nora Roberts, Bobblehead.
See? It says so right here on the base.
And I’m signed. Right behind my shoes. See?
Sarah: “Nora, ma’am, since you’re standing on my dining room table, do you mind if I try out a hat on you?”
Nora: “Yes. I mind.”
Sarah: “Even if it was a giant bunny held up by a salt and pepper shaker?”
Nora: “Yes. I mind.”
Sarah: “I’d like to see how you’d look with animals perched on your cranium.”
Nora: “Yes. I mind.”
Sarah: “I’m sorry it’s not a swan.”
Nora: “I am not.”
Nora: “This is not a good look for me.”
This is hysterical!!!!!!! Kay, I may have to fight people for Sarah.
LOVE. IT! Freaking funny… You looked Maahhvelous Nora… Damn, how do I get one??
Is it all right if I’m the one who posts the link to Nora’s store? SBs feel free to edit it out if it’s not kosher for any reason I can’t think of right now because I’m hopped up on burnt Starbucks coffee.
NRBobble.
Thanks for the post Arethuse.
Nora,
Just wanted to say: You’re my hero.
I don’t think I’ll be buying a Nora bobblehead because that’s just too weird for me.
BUT…
Should the next one come out and depict you smacking down a troll while refusing to give it cookies, I may change my mind.
I lurk around this site a great deal. The reason? I enjoy reading comments from other readers that are well thought out, humorous, or intelligent. Typically in one sitting I get all of the above. I specifically read Nora Roberts comments for that purpose. I know that without fail the content will be intelligent, to the point,and contain a wicked sense of humor. Just saying…… Oh, and I love the bobble-head. Too cute!
megalith: I cried with laughter. That’s priceless. Thx.
It’s absolutely gorgeous Nora! I’m getting one and envy its butt and bobble.
___________
MamaZ, I whooped when you talked about your sons shooting the swan—- you live around the same kind of men I do “I just walked into that book signin’ and there he was! Sittin’ so purdy on top of some lady’s haid! So I took a bead on him and BAM! Nailed him at 90 feet.”
____________
Two hours for $26.99??? You need to find a new bridge to work under!
I can not wait to get a Nora Bobblehead of my very own. Oh the conversations we will have…
Also tossing my .02 in, I had the best time the other day reading all the comments on the To Swan hat or Not to Swan hat issue. It was great to see so many people with different takes getting excited about an issue. Ms. Roberts wasn’t the only author out there not afraid to jump in. Or have we forgotten the Lani/Daisy pic?
I’m a writer just starting out who is already having to deal with the sneering looks of “You write what?” Heck, I get that look when I just bring our books to the checkout counter at the local bookstore. It heartens me to look to Authors already out in the field, waving the flag “We are writers and we deserve respect.†(and of course this flag is professionally printed, no hearts and doodles to be found)
Anywhoo- not only will I pay 8.99 for the paperback but I gladly toss in an extra 40 for the audio CD. Have you guys heard the Morrigans Cross books on audio? Where did she find that reader? He has this deep Irish voice that just rolls over you. His female voices are hilarious but it’s totally worth it.
can you say sycophants one and all?
Uh, hate to break it to LaNora, but on sale and with my BN card, High Noon was only $22.20 (plus tax). Loved the book as always, but had that horrible cowboy song (“Dew-ewe not forsaike me, oh muh darlin’…”) stuck in my head for two days.
can you say sycophants one and all?
Nah, not me I’m just a gusher about anything I like. Its best not to rattle my cage about such topics as romance novels, reality tv, Gerard Butler (othewise known as Hottie McHotHot), Smart Bitches, flipflops, those new peanut butter m&m’s, ect because I’ll go on and on until people start to look for the nearest exit!
*Sigh* A Pulitzer is nice, but a bobblehead rocks. Way to go, Nora!
Do you think the average reader feels comfortable with getting autographs from a plethora of business suits and diamonds?
Yes! I would. It would be my preference.
In a discussion with some other reader/bloggers just today, I said that as much as I’ve enjoyed Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books in the past and enjoyed Liz Maverick’s WIRED very much, I would be uncomfortable standing in a line with an author in costume.
It’s awkward enough and difficult enough at a book signing for both author and fan. The author is making an effort to be kind, considerate and engage their fans and the fans are trying not be (at least I am) considerate and not be overbearing, take too much time and say something coherent that conveys their passion and love for the author’s work. Who needs to deal with a costume on top of everything else?
That’s what makes me uncomfortable.
Everyone deserves the right to be an individual. Just the same as they have rights to wear suits, the others have the right to go in costume and one group has NO right to tell the others how to dress.
I still say it’s snobbery to say I wear a suit, you have to wear X or you’re unprofessional.
Why is that a hard concept? This was for a charity event. I could understand the kurfluffle if it was for the Ritas or another RWA event, but a signing for fans for charity, come on guys.
Stephanie Kurze:
I’m a writer just starting out who is already having to deal with the sneering looks of “You write what?â€
Just to say, that as a reader, I too have to deal with the sneering and condescending looks of “You read romance?”. Not just looks, mind you, but to be asked that question in a very incredulous way. You get the impression that one is reading the shallowest and most unintelligent type of books there are. So most of the time, I just try to be vague about the books I read as almost all of my friends and acquaintances never read romance. Maybe some of them do, but like me, they probably wouldn’t admit it.
So I got the point of what Ms. Roberts was trying to say again and again. It was maybe 40+ posts or more and she could probably continue to say it till she gets blue in the face, but there will always be people out there who cannot and will not get the gist of what she is saying. Neither did her posts come out as rants as someone was suggesting. As an author who has always defended time and again the romance genre, it must be difficult to be always singled out as either the representative of the genre or as, in the case of the heated discussion on costumes at the RWA nationals, the “villain” as some people choose to interpret it that way. The fact that there were other authors weighing in doesn’t matter and that she didn’t really attack M&M (have I got the initials right or is it L&M?) personally. She ends up being the target, good or bad. And it can get frustrating especially when the RWA event gets covered in the papers but with the photo of a romance writer with a swan on her head getting prominent display. I’ve seen the photo myself and my first thought was “how weird is that?” And I’m a romance reader. Can you imagine what an anti romance reader would even think?
Wow. I’ve never been a syncophant before! Who knew that just by having my OWN opinion, different from anonymous aka dismayedreader, I could be automatically labeled a syncophant!
Oooh! Does that get me a free bobble-head? I could draw fishnet stockings on it!
Obviously some people have yet to learn that having a dissenting opinion (and voicing it) doesn’t automatically make you a syncophant to someone whose opinion you do agree with.
Aha! Got my Nora bobblehead ordered. Thanks for link! Glad to know they’re not those limit-order action figures that you can never find after the first few weeks.
Hi Elyssa! *waves back*
Bobblehead beats Pulitzer. At least for me, but I’m quirky like that.
What I find absolutely shocking is that Nora’s taking so much heat for one opinion which was shared by quite a few of us, thanks for pointing that out, Steph. Smooch.
Also suprising are the vast multitudes who failed to hear all the times that we mentioned all the gray area that exists between a swan hat and a powersuit. Yet, most of these very nasty arguments come in the form of, “So I have to wear a powersuit or I’m unprofessional?” Which no one ever said, and yet which keeps popping up here.
Particularly astounding is the fact that people are so vitriolic over one opinion. As far as I can tell, quite a few of us said directly that dress shouldn’t be legislated, even that we’d defend Sherrilyn Kenyon’s right to wear the swan hat, but that we all personally felt it was a poor choice and we ourselves wouldn’t be doing it. Which I think is a valid thing to say, “It’s not for me, and here’s why.”
And so far, I think the vast majority of this conversation has been mature and intelligent. But there were the people who brought in pedophilia; who called L&M whores and sluts; and personally attacked Nora because… she’s the most high-profile of the people expressing this opinion? I guess? And then all that stupidity drowns out the smart part of the smart bitching here. Which is sad, because 95% of this conversation has been both intelligent and enlightening.
Look, people obviously have different definitions of professional. I think Liz and Marianne were well within that grey area, they showed 2-inches of skin over thigh-high socks and were adorable and cute. Nora disagrees; she thinks their dress was unprofessional, but she still managed to respect them in her comments, and honestly was ready to forget it until she saw the swan head. And she has a right to be upset, because she’s the one who has to defend the rest of us, day in and day out, whether she wants to or not. Nora’s just one of a bunch I could name who have made my life as a romance writer easier, and I’m on-my-knees grateful for them all. Doesn’t make me a sycophant. Makes me not an ingrate.
Also, people shielding their identity and going on attack against someone whose full name is on their posts just don’t count. Please don’t feed the trolls.
I think the heat issue is because Nora is Nora. She is the “Face” of romance and is a dominant force in the arena. Many authors and readers look up to her and this is a position she’s demanded. Let’s face it—she’s Nora. Kind of like Madonna, you don’t even have to say her last name. And even I used to Nora worship until this debacle. I thought she was professional and someone to aspire to be.
Unfortunately my bubble was popped and I won’t be worshiping the giant that bitch smacked those smaller than them.
It’s in poor taste of someone of her stature to publically criticize another author—period.
I’m not meaning that to discredit anyone else and I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s opinion, but being in the public eye as much as Nora is and being so influential over RWA, I think she shouldn’t have publically (DO whatever you like in private or to a friend) speak about another authors in the name of professionalism on a controversial blog (Hey this is the way the bitches want it and I think it’s great)and generate an even bigger buzz around a controversy surrounding your sister authors of RWA in the name of POSITIVE professionalism. If she, being the “Godfather”, didn’t like what was going on, she should contact her board members (as should any other RWA member) and go from there. This isn’t a situation where other RWA members should take this venue.
That’s not what the organization is about. And saying the face of Romance is being degraded by them and then CALLING MORE Attention to this matter (you all know the blog links are saying NORA SAID… NORA SAID…) is wrong.
I can shout this from the rooftops and maybe 1/4 will read and care. Nora says it and everyone reads. Hell, I’ve even done it. Does that make sense?
It’s like having Donald Trump publically bitch smack the way you run your business. ( and folks, it is a business) Something else to consider is Pepsi isn’t allowed to publically speak of Coke’s marketing choices. ANY other author’s work or (product) on the shelf next to author’s is considered competition. And if I’m not mistaken that could be considered a problem with the FCC. I might be wrong and I’m no lawyer. I’m pretty sure it’s an issue.
You can’t publically bitch smack your competition. Now matter how small you think they are. Technically the same goes for the other authors that chose to do this.
Bloggers are bloggers and attack at free will. It’s more overlooked because one’s not Pepsi and one’s not Coke and they’re both not turning out the same product.
Nora’s written paranormal Romance the same as Ms Kenyon, Liz Maverick and Marianne Mancusi. That’s competition.
They are lined up in bookstores and the consumer has a choice to make. Yes, Nora sells more blah blah, which is why I have such a hard time with her actions here. And i realize she knows how it feels to be ridiculed. Anyone in public does. I’m just saying that it’s wrong—knowing how that feels—to contribute to this for another person.
Furthermore if you’ll visit Ms. Kenyon’s site, she’s dressed in “Costume” every year at the RWA literacy signing, I even noticed one of her signing in costume in Nora’s store. Why didn’t Nora post about it then?
The big issue here comes from someone didn’t like her costume this year? The hat was “Too outrageous” for some but not for her. Her fans come to expect that sort of thing. I don’t know but I looked on the site last night and the myspace and kenyon’s always in costume. Maybe Nora never took the time to notice before? I have no clue.
Or maybe it was because two others did it this year and now they’re all afraid it might catch on?
A simple I didn’t like it would’ve sufficed. But accusing people of defacing the Genre over it is malicious in my opinion. And like everyone else on this board, I have a right to it, but I’m an average Joe.
Not Nora
That is the difference.
Does that make sense now?
Here’s one thing—after having some time away. I didn’t bring up the costumes,I commented on them once they’d been brought up.
I comment on a lot of topics—I have opinions.
I don’t believe I ever commented on anyone’s work. I commented on costumes.
What I’ve also realized after a break, is I may be looking at this big-picture-wise rather than one specific event. And a lot of others are looking at one specific event, and arguing that that event isn’t the demise of the genre. Which I never said, or thought anyway.
I’ve never demanded to be the face of Romance—and don’t believe I am. I’ve never demanded to be worshipped—or reviled.
Can you quote for me where Nora said anything disrespectful? If she did, I certainly missed it. She said the swan hat embarrassed her, and she has a right to be embarrassed, because she’s in the unenviable position of being the poster child for the whole genre. She said she didn’t get what L&M were doing and she felt it didn’t reflect well on romance’s respectability (an opinion with which I disagreed and Nora showed nothing but respect for my disagreement). She’s also come out in defense of both of them when OTHERS bitchsmacked L&M with terms like sluts, whores, and pedophiles – terms Nora never used and publicly rejected. The only person Nora criticized was SK, who is also a high-profile NYT besteller, and that didn’t read like a bitchsmack at all to me. It read like an opinion, and an opinion SK herself doesn’t seem to be sweating too much. Good for SK.
Nora’s a big name, all right, but that doesn’t mean she’s not allowed a respectful opinion. And that’s all she’s expressed – a respectful opinion. She’s even been respectful to people who were openly hostile and disrespectful to her. She’s a class act, any way you slice it, and it’s not because she’s a big name in romance. It’s because she’s a gracious and classy person, who just also happens to have made a hell of a name for herself in this business. And she put that name on all her posts, which I think says a lot.
Look, I’m not a “La Nora can do no wrong because she’s La Nora” type of person. If I witnessed Nora behaving badly, I’d say so. But I haven’t; the more she spoke up here, the more I respected her, even when we disagreed. And I don’t deny you the right to disagree. As long as you express your disagreement respectfully, I don’t even care that you’re anonymous. I just want to see the direct quotes to backup the “bitchsmack” argument, because that’s not what I saw at all.
If I’m not allowed to express an opinion on a blog due to competition, then I’m not allowed to ever express an opinion on a blog. And that’s just ridiculous. It certainly was never about that to me—it was about an issue.
I can’t say I thought SK wore a costume when she signed at my husband’s store, but even if—entirely different from RWA’s literacy signing. And I never noticed—perhaps never saw her in the crowd—wearing costumes in previous years. But it’s pretty damn hard to miss an enormous swan perched on someone’s head.
I didn’t bitchslap anyone. I’ll ask, like Lani—you quote back anything I said that constituted a bitchslap.
I also find it pretty insulting to other authors who expressed opinions that you appear to believe mine are the only ones with weight.
I never said anything personal about anyone involved in this discussion. Now you’ve said a number of very personal things about me.
Easy for you to bitchslap me, DEAR, since no one knows who you are. And still, you’re entitled to your opinions, and entitled to express them.
FWIW, Coke and Pepsi don’t openly and directly disparage each other because it’s bad business, not because they’d get into trouble with the FCC. Nobody’s broken any laws here.
I’m with Lani Diane Rich: don’t feed the trolls… or in this case, what I suspect are socketpuppets.
Thanks, Azteclady. You can call me Lani. :::wink:::
The thing is, someone anonymous who makes good, strong respectful arguments, I’ll talk to. It’s the anonymous mudslinging that needs to be vigilantly ignored. Before I respond in heat again, I’m checking to see if there’s a real name attached. Lesson learned.
To Liz, Marianne and Nora, I’d like to offer an apology. As far as I’m concerned, all three of you have taken outlandish abuse and are seriously owed one, and since it’s unlikely anyone in that debt will remedy it, then consider this at least a recognition that it’s seriously owed. The three of you have conducted yourselves with grace and class. You win.
Smooches to all, and to all, a smart bitch.
Really, let’s be honest, with an ass like that on a bobblehead is it any wonder if a few people don’t worship her?
Last time I checked we’re all entitled to an opinion. Then again I’m living up in Canada and the rules might be different.
Christ, Dismayed did you get that all out of your system now? Sad that you’ve lost your little romance hero and have to go it alone? Feel a bit freer now, panty waist looser? Let’s light a candle for the ceremony of taking down your Nora Roberts shrine so we can all get past your tantrum about being a little person trying to reach out to a 1/4 of the audience who have been traumatized because La Nora does not agree with you.
“Does that make sense now?”
Nope. It get more confusing as you seem to be contradicting yourself the longer this gets when you start talking about an individual’s right to be herself and on the next post try to reprimand someone for expressing her opinion on a blog which asked people what their opinion is regarding costumes at the RWA literacy signing. And yeah, the SmartBitches blog asked that question and not the RWA organization, so all that suggestion about taking the issue with the RWA organization is total crap since they never asked that question anyway.
You seem to be taking this way too personal. Much too personal in my rather cynical mind, instead of looking at the bigger issue objectively as most of the posters were talking about.
You know, the Bitches posted this picture as a friendly joke. I think it’s completely rude to use it to attack one particular poster.
I think authors and readers alike benefit from authors weighing in and expressing their opinions. I’d wager to say 99.9% of the bitchery here love the fact that Nora is a “regular”. I wouldn’t want to see that change because of some troll.
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You don’t have to demand it, Nora. I do it willingly. 😉
I frankly will rue the day we lose Nora as a spokesman because too many people are screwing with her remarks, which are remarkably—considering what she battles day in and day out—the coolest (as in “keeping her cool”), shrewdest, (that’s shrewd, not shrew
), and FAIREST remarks (as in fair AND fairest-in-the-land)that are posted here. And you are going to hate that I say this: I have never read a single Nora book. But I see her at the RWA conference; I walked behind her for about a hundred feet through the main bar area in the Dallas hotel, and by the end of that 100 feet I felt so bad for her just because I couldn’t help seeing all the looks people would throw her…the celebrity looks that might be gratifying but also separate…and I thought for a moment it might be lonely in Nora land. And my heart went out to her for being the sharing, caring writer that she is. So bravo, Nora, for being a shining light of reason, and God help us if you ever shut up. I hope you don’t.
Luckily, I feel that those of us that are true “smart” bitches can weed out the cheap-shots from the true critiques. I fully support freedom of expression. And, I also fully support freedom of speech. You have the right to your cheap-shots, and I have the right to skip over reading them. Kudos to Nora and Lani for being true professionals.
http://www.butterscotchmartinigirls.com/?p=279
If you are interested in my opinion of what’s happening here. It’s been interesting.