Hi Kirsten,

Thank you so much for your feedback. Please know that there was absolutely NO disrespect or denigration meant. We respect your right to your point of view, and we sincerely apologize if you were in any way hurt or offended.

We will not be changing this class title, however, because the usage of ‘schizophrenia’ in this case is neither derogatory nor outside the bounds of its formally accepted definitions. Schizophrenia is a legitimate psycho-medical term that also carries a wider contextual meaning in contemporary usage. Per Merriam-Webster, the second definition of ‘schizophrenia’ is: ‘contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes.’ To use ‘schizophrenia’ colloquially as we do in our class title is akin to using the terms ‘depression’ or ‘paranoia’ in their wider contextual meaning, though they also have precise psycho-medical definitions.

As writers, we probably are ALL hyper-aware of words, meanings, usage, and context. From the evolution and acceptability of certain new words (I’M LOOKING AT YOU, ‘GINORMOUS’…), to the way society’s changing tolerance of old terms (I still remember kids in junior high laughing about someone being ‘a moron’ or ‘a retard,’ which felt wrong then but only today is widely accepted as derogatory and unacceptable), language is the Silly-Putty that reflects our ever-evolving values.

We all have words and issues that touch on sore spots or can make us feel marginalized. Heck, Kristen and I have had knock-down-drag-out’s on everything from ethnic issues is complimenting to the ethics of ad copy and demographic targeting (and you’d be surprised to find out which one of us was on which side, LOL!).

Please don’t feel that I am jumping all over you or this comment in any negative way. I can absolutely see where you are coming from, as can Kristen. As the daughter of a psychologist and a social worker, I am *very* aware of the often extremely negative perceptions of mental health issues in society, and Kristen herself is close to a number of people who have schizophrenia. The last thing she or I would ever want to do is to deliberately insult or hurt anyone.

On the other hand, I believe it’s more important than ever to both acknowledge and engage with difficult questions, tricky issues, and sensitive subjects in a way that is open, compassionate, articulate, and civil.

I have classes I’d love to teach on exactly some of those social landmines, not because I think I have all the answers. I don’t. I want to teach them because I want to open our discussion about dealing with them as writers.

Thank you, Kirsten, for not being afraid to point out something that made you uncomfortable. I hope that, even though we won’t be changing the title of the class, you feel as though we heard you, respect your opinion, and welcome you to keep the dialogue open!

Cait

Its so rude. When will people get that you have to take a softer approach nowadays?

I have an author friend on Facebook that chats with me and his followers and does promote, his books, but it’s okay as it isn’t all the time and because he has so many other postings that don’t have to do with his book.

It’s all about how people are treated. Too many companies and writers treat the people on Facebook and other sites like we are a number.

Like you said an emotional connection is important. Without it people won’t care. Just like with our books characters if people don’t care tyey won’t read, the same with advertising.

Do you watch t.v and get blasted by the J.D bouer commercials? (However, it’s spelled.) I change the channel immediately as it’s super annoying.

So many online advertising is done this way.

We don’t care about being polite! Ha! Freck the consumer lets freeze up their browser with a million forced pop up adds and java videos and make them buy. Ut has to work its always worked, consumers are stupid, so will buy it.

Why in gods name do they still think this works (and why did it ever work? It’s just plan rude.)

This article (along with others of yours.( hopefully will change minds. <3

I know you're changed mine.

Yeah writing groups are notorious for this sort of feedback. Trust me. No one wants a whole book explaining how doors work. We get it. We are not stupid. You’re cool 😉 . Some ‘advice’ means well but we have to just ignore it. Now, if your character is in a tavern and in the next sentence they are on the side of a mountain? YEAH. Please explain THAT shift. But if someone is going into the living room from the kitchen…we GET IT. Really.

Inevitably in my critique group (whom I love dearly) I’ll usually get a comment like, but how did that door open, did they cross the room? When did so-and-so show up? Did she lift the handle or push it?
I get that sometimes these details are needed, but like you I dont’ want to read a book that dully explains how a character moves around the room. I don’t need to see them open the fridge, remove the Brita pitcher, get out the glass, pour the water, and take a drink. She took a drink works.

I’m reading a published book for a contest and it breaks my heart that the author did a good amount of historical research, and what I’m reading is flat descriptions unconnected to action or emotion. I want the setting and details to come alive but it’s just words on a page. What I love about historicals is fashion and period details, it’s a big reason why I read them, but it’s not interesting when the details have no dimension or connection to the characters. Saying “she put on her wool cape and darned socks” is not the same as “she’d almost forgotten the wool cape and at the last minute, dashed upstairs for it, still unseen from her snooping chaperone.” Or whatever. Give me a some action and purpose and make the details pop!

Well, I get the example is a riffed one. But I, personally, won’t spend money to read about how people open doors and cabinets. Filling pages with stage direction is not a story. But to each his own.

Sorry, but I rather stick with the “writing”. Thank you very much.