tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post6052167849681452005..comments2023-09-07T07:41:28.307-04:00Comments on Zestful Writing: Exploitation WorksElizabeth Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01207536110886973913noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post-46886365241849133722018-12-16T10:12:16.022-05:002018-12-16T10:12:16.022-05:00Thanks, and all the same back to you, BJ.Thanks, and all the same back to you, BJ.Elizabeth Simshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01207536110886973913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post-72797858034264326792018-12-15T18:21:18.613-05:002018-12-15T18:21:18.613-05:00You always have an interesting take on things. Hop...You always have an interesting take on things. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06108715396404430718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post-17692024945736714812018-12-14T17:08:33.868-05:002018-12-14T17:08:33.868-05:00Thanks for joining the convo, Susan. Your book sou...Thanks for joining the convo, Susan. Your book sounds interesting! I was also thinking about so-called Blaxploitation films and Teensploitation films and books... And I might note that the dictionaries pretty much define 'exploit' (the verb) as 'to make use of, turn to practical account,' though it can also mean 'to use selfishly' or to unethical ends.Elizabeth Simshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01207536110886973913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post-62796723165585679752018-12-14T08:58:19.604-05:002018-12-14T08:58:19.604-05:00I don't have a problem with using the word &qu...I don't have a problem with using the word "exploitation" here. Being aware of common prejudices and stereotypes as a tool to reach readers is smart writing. It's using an understanding of human nature as a means to make connections and to allow our stories to resonate. It's a use of resources, but it isn't taking advantage of anyone or doing anything detrimental like. In other words, exploitation has more than one narrow definition.<br /><br />I admit to using this approach in my most recent novel. I used common assumptions to lead readers to believe something that wasn't true. Other characters in the book labeled this guy a loser, so readers were inclined to believe he was guilty of doing heinous things, too... even though he wasn't. I had lots of fun turning those assumptions upside down. Things aren't always as they seem. :)Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post-31893018712515477992018-12-13T17:29:03.345-05:002018-12-13T17:29:03.345-05:00Point well taken, Caroline. It is a bit of a hot t...Point well taken, Caroline. It is a bit of a hot term, and maybe I should rethink it going forward. Gonna think on that. Thanks for giving us a well-reasoned perspective.Elizabeth Simshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01207536110886973913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1873889619654138974.post-74612606957124825412018-12-13T16:32:42.500-05:002018-12-13T16:32:42.500-05:00A semantic quibble: I don't like the word &quo...A semantic quibble: I don't like the word "exploitation." It's a grabber, but it doesn't really fit here. I see exploitation as selling dope to an addict in withdrawal, conning a person out of their life savings, or lying to get someone in bed. The writers I teach have different motivations. Some are writing to leave something of value (fiction or nonfiction) to their descendants, some for therapy, some for recreation, some for self-expression, and finally, some for commercial success. The ones who are writing commercially are trying to provide a "product" that will appeal to their buyer/readers--more glamorous but not really different from the person who is manufacturing vacuum cleaners or canned peas or . . . I don't see exploitation there. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02862635233892967868noreply@blogger.com