Comments on: Genre-specific tropes, authorial intent, review reflections

By: The Villain - Dear Author

The Villain - Dear Author — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:57:24 +0000

[...] than a stern talking to. Jeannie Lin responded to this (not just my feelings but others) with a really thoughtful commentary on Western v. Eastern philosophies: I’d like to concentrate my thoughts on two themes and one [...]

By: Yvonne Osborne

Yvonne Osborne — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:15:40 +0000

This is a very insightful post to which I must come back to with a wide awake brain.

I like your ending thought on explaining those rejection letters….”the writing is not good enough. . . yet.”

The yet is what’s important.

If memory is correct, I recently wrote something on this very subject. But I’m very tired….

Beautiful blog.

I found your site via Victoria Dixon and I’m glad I did. I like the look of your blog and the content.

By: Jeannie Lin

Jeannie Lin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:18:55 +0000

@Janet – When you challenge a trope, just be prepared to be challenged yourself. But all tropes should be played with and challenged all the time. They’re more like guidelines really.

I read a quote recently that said something to the effect of when a genre’s conventions are challenged, it strengthens rather than weakens that genre. I don’t remember who said it. Bugger. Someone smarter than me.

By: Jeannie Lin

Jeannie Lin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:14:55 +0000

@JaneS – Thank you Jane! I may have to print out your comment and frame it on my wall.:) Really though, I’m glad you enjoyed the story and I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and say so.

@Victoria – The hero not getting what he wants is a tough one. But I think for fantasy, with it’s sometimes grimmer outlook, this may work. However, I don’t think it has to be grim, you know? Have you read EONA? I loved it, but definitely think there was some magic wand waving to make sure the heroine got what she wanted in the end.

By: Janet Johnson

Janet Johnson — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:21:03 +0000

Fascinating discussion! This is definitely something that’s hard to grasp as a Caucasian reader with all the Western tropes in my head as to what makes a good story.

And I am currently beating my head against these tropes in real life. Not so fun. How do you express your conflicting views and gain a happy ending for all? Not always possible is what I’m afraid the answer is.

Anyway, great post!

By: Victoria Dixon

Victoria Dixon — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:59:23 +0000

What a great discussion of the tropes. This is one big difficulty in blending Western and Asian literary traditions. I THINK I managed to do it by the hero not gaining what he wants, but what his country needs and at the same time suggesting that one event could happen leading to political chaos all over again. LOL
The truth is, I asked myself what would happen if my mc had done as he promised during the historical events. My story’s conclusion was my answer. Whether or not it works by editorial standards remains to be seen.
Really enjoyed this post!

By: JaneS

JaneS — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:36:33 +0000

I just finished reading The Dragon and the Pearl and just loved the book. I think that it should be in the top ten romance books of the year. It’s certainly in my top ten. There was a complexity and subtly in the writing that drew me into the characters, their lives and motivations.

Unlike the reviewers you mentioned, I didn’t have a problem with the ending for the Lao Sou character. I think that some people see life in black and white but the truth is that it is many shades of gray. I think that you should follow your instincts and forge your own path as a writer and author.

By: Jeannie Lin

Jeannie Lin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:52:30 +0000

@Stephanie – I told you it would be nerdy, didn’t I? Don’t let the mass market covers fool you…we overthink everything, don’t we?

By: Jeannie Lin

Jeannie Lin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:51:23 +0000

@John – Well, thank you for the suggestions and links. I wasn’t aiming for a grand discussion on my use of the xia archetype in THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL, but the conflict of xia as social outsiders and the Asian ideals of harmony and social order are definitely pithy topics of conversation. As to my use of movies as illustrations, I don’t really see a problem with it as again, I wasn’t aiming to dissect these movies, just state some examples that readers of the blog might recognize. I reference Legend of the Condor Heroes and Heaven Sword, Dragon Sabre (heck, I can even qualify and say the 80s editions), the movie versions, simply because that’s the source of my inspiration.

I applaud your efforts to make people aware of English translations of wuxia literature. I’m not the authority on wuxia literature and don’t claim to be. Neither do I have a particular agenda for pushing literature over movies or other popular media. I was just, rather self-centeredly as I admitted, talking about specific tropes in my own works and discussing my own personal inspirations.

By: Stephanie Draven

Stephanie Draven — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:24:30 +0000

Really interesting post. I know nothing about wuxia but I’m fascinated at what you’re trying to do here.