tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post331580810623959896..comments2024-03-24T16:50:00.727-05:00Comments on Maria Zannini blogspot: 50 Shades of...Oh, Just Kill Me NowUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-8195036388983819742014-08-05T14:24:38.926-05:002014-08-05T14:24:38.926-05:00Ellie: I think a couple of people missed the humor...Ellie: I think a couple of people missed the humor but I guess you can't make everyone laugh. :D <br /><br />Thanks!Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-91280912215205952502014-08-05T09:57:28.064-05:002014-08-05T09:57:28.064-05:00'All I know is if a guy wants to climb my twin...'All I know is if a guy wants to climb my twin peaks he better make it worth my while.'<br /><br />I can't stop laughing. You have such a way with words.Ellie Garratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731071128348213067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-59826023824349767452014-08-04T20:08:40.686-05:002014-08-04T20:08:40.686-05:00Susan: If a guy does the dishes for me, he's i...Susan: If a guy does the dishes for me, he's in like Flynn. Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-54493827902910728382014-08-04T14:05:15.510-05:002014-08-04T14:05:15.510-05:00I never read the books or felt any desire to and h...I never read the books or felt any desire to and have even less interest in the movie. I'm with you. How is any of that sexy or romantic? And yeah, a guy that does the dishes is wonderful to have around. And he always buys me gift cards to book stores for special occasions.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-6484150924328540392014-08-04T06:52:34.537-05:002014-08-04T06:52:34.537-05:00Hi Heather, and welcome!
I know what you mean abo...Hi Heather, and welcome!<br /><br />I know what you mean about reading just to see if it would improve. I've read several series where they kind of led me around without providing a satisfactory conclusion. It makes you feel cheated.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-61719706904849127812014-08-04T03:48:46.608-05:002014-08-04T03:48:46.608-05:00Hi Maria. I have read these books, although I can&...Hi Maria. I have read these books, although I can't honestly tell you why. I suppose I wanted to see if they got any better, but sadly they didn't. I actually found parts at the end quite disturbing and retelling the very first chapter from his POV seemed a waste of time.<br />I certainly won't be seeing the film, I don't want to lose any more time to it than I already have.Heather Muskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401981352369837021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-50604862093354975122014-07-30T07:46:08.661-05:002014-07-30T07:46:08.661-05:00Linda: Wow! A bullwhip professional. I've seen...Linda: Wow! A bullwhip professional. I've seen one once. It's amazing what they can do.<br /><br />I'll bet your writers' group always starts on time. :)Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-77660867726777637262014-07-30T07:43:47.703-05:002014-07-30T07:43:47.703-05:00Mike: ROTFL!
Your sensible part wins. I have this...Mike: ROTFL!<br /><br />Your sensible part wins. I have this theory that predators and fools know their own kind. <br /><br />Men have always treated me well. The few whose intentions were less than honorable usually had enough sense not to test my good humor.<br /><br /><br />Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-35426271737499432572014-07-30T07:35:46.990-05:002014-07-30T07:35:46.990-05:00I'm late to this discussion but I don't ha...I'm late to this discussion but I don't have much to add. I didn't read FSoG for the same reason I didn't read the Twilight series. They just didn't interest me. <br /><br />Although the leader of our local writers group is a professional bull whip artist. Seriously. (Think cowboys, not sex.)LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-89761121603732526932014-07-30T05:34:29.525-05:002014-07-30T05:34:29.525-05:00If you come at me with a whip, you're going to...<i>If you come at me with a whip, you're going to walk out without testicles.</i> I can't get that line out of my head. The sensible part of me assumes no one has ever approached you with a whip. The novelist in me imagines a small mountain of testicles hidden in a Texan desert. <br /><br />I think it was Nietsche who said: "You go to visit a woman, don't forget the whip.'To my knowledge he never went to Texas.<br /><br />Mike Keytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116528233058221536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-40861989835293610732014-07-29T12:30:27.866-05:002014-07-29T12:30:27.866-05:00Anna: Now see, you get my humor. Thank you!Anna: Now see, you get my humor. Thank you!Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-63287241688045500112014-07-29T12:29:31.910-05:002014-07-29T12:29:31.910-05:00Carol: I remember that! Ellen can make a phone boo...Carol: I remember that! Ellen can make a phone book funny. Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-16723103926072781762014-07-29T11:54:45.024-05:002014-07-29T11:54:45.024-05:00LOL Maria! This line: "If you come at me with...LOL Maria! This line: "If you come at me with a whip, you're going to walk out without testicles. I don't care how much money you've got."<br /><br />I never got into FSoG mainly because it was a bit tough to read (it seemed to need a lot more editing IMHO). With that said, I definitely think it's curiosity about that kind of sex and role-play that has piqued a lot of women's interest in this book. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07244733082162554633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-77796389243622188992014-07-29T10:35:43.611-05:002014-07-29T10:35:43.611-05:00I don't know the psychology of the people who ...I don't know the psychology of the people who practice any form of BDSM, but I'm sure there are certain markers.<br /><br />Did you watch the YouTube video of Ellen trying to read the book? Hilarious!Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745686632918324803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-73215398663715205592014-07-29T06:42:36.973-05:002014-07-29T06:42:36.973-05:00Sandra:
Re: fixer uppers
LOL! If I have to fix a ...Sandra: <br />Re: fixer uppers<br />LOL! If I have to fix a man, he's way too much trouble.<br /><br />And you might have a point about Ana. If a character is invisible enough, it's easy to step in and perhaps add to the drama in your own head.<br /><br />Despite the hoopla, this too shall pass. It always does.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-57431897816946901162014-07-29T06:38:45.574-05:002014-07-29T06:38:45.574-05:00Anne: From what I gathered from interviews with EL...Anne: From what I gathered from interviews with EL James, I got the impression she penned her story (based on Twilight) and fell into a gold mine. <br /><br />I think the part that gets me every time is that despite how badly written it is, it still gained a following. No wonder every Tom, Dick and Harry thinks he can write a book.<br /><br />Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-65669084918343726462014-07-29T06:33:41.059-05:002014-07-29T06:33:41.059-05:00Anne, 50SoG started out as Twilight fanfic.
I...Anne, 50SoG started out as Twilight fanfic. <br /><br />I've no desire to read the books (I've read enough bad stuff about them) or see the movie. My theory about what makes them so popular is the "woman tames bad boy" theme. Also, Ana is such a colorless character that it's easy for women to put themselves in her shoes. Personally, I'd rather read about a romance of someone who was worthy of my attention from the start. These fixer-uppers all look unsafe to me. Sandra Ulbrich Almazanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15365908651235829765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-4588957306948945452014-07-29T06:08:44.065-05:002014-07-29T06:08:44.065-05:0050SOG to me is just like Twilight. Both authors fo...50SOG to me is just like Twilight. Both authors found a "new" subject and exploited it for their own gain. <br /><br />As the discussion above continues <br />about BDSM, it's obvious EL James didn't get anything right about the subject -- therefore people bought the book(s), not only because it is such a forbidden topic, but to see just how "wrong" she was.<br /><br />I liken it to a book with bad reviews...I've seen it happen time and again, a book with bad reviews will be sitting at #25, while a good book will have to claw it way to the top. <br /><br />Anyway, I won't read the Grey books. I won't read the Twilight books. More power to the authors for being smart enough to figure out the latest reading craze before anyone else. I'm sure they're laughing all the way to the bank.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-54008104382318605042014-07-29T06:03:59.967-05:002014-07-29T06:03:59.967-05:00Charlee: Everyone wants to feel special. What man ...Charlee: Everyone wants to feel special. What man or woman doesn't fantasize about being desired?<br /><br />The entire romance industry is built on that concept.<br /><br />50SoG delivered a fantasy in a safe environment. And it's fiction. <br /><br />But I feel there is more involved than these rudimentary desires. I can guarantee you every ad executive in New York is trying to figure out (and recreate) the same effect for their campaigns.<br /><br />Social media is hugely responsible. The message has to get out there. But the message itself still has to have legs.<br /><br />It would be worth studying the mega trends pre-internet. <br /><br /><br /><br /> Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-59870745017838902692014-07-28T22:23:41.909-05:002014-07-28T22:23:41.909-05:00"My point is that the series is wildly popula..."My point is that the series is wildly popular and I don't know why."<br /><br />Bluntly put: Women want to feel special and important. 50SoG fills this need in a sexual fantasy setting.<br /><br />A sizable percentage of women fantasize about:<br /><br />- being desired by a man who could have his pick of women. This often translates to a man who is super attractive, powerful, wealthy, or famous. Check.<br /><br />- being the center of a man's attention. BDSM, puts the woman at the center of a man's attention - even if the type of attention is not what the woman would want in real-life. Check.<br /><br />Women are attracted to a man with vulnerabilities. It appeals to the nurturing side most women have in some measure and it helps rationalize why this man would choose this woman (she can accept his flaws). Check.<br /><br />It may seem ugly, but there it is. If you believe in evolution you may be comforted by the idea that this is probably based on a biological remnant that we are evolving away from.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16081037755420821748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-84417203909130769722014-07-28T21:38:06.786-05:002014-07-28T21:38:06.786-05:00Jenny: Yes! I thought the title had a great ring t...Jenny: Yes! I thought the title had a great ring to it too. It was provocative without giving away much. <br /><br />And the first cover was very good too. It hit all the right marks up to and including the trending color scheme of the time. By accident or plan, EL lucked out with both.<br /><br />Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-56006934710460819592014-07-28T21:35:47.468-05:002014-07-28T21:35:47.468-05:00Charlee: Fringe is fringe. Despite 50SoG's pop...Charlee: Fringe is fringe. Despite 50SoG's popularity, BDSM is hardly mainstream, so it does smack of weirdness. 50SoG did not help its case at all. <br /><br />My point is that the series is wildly popular and I don't know why. I'm more interested in finding out why it appealed to the mass market and less about the real fringe group.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-72993497558631192362014-07-28T21:27:57.839-05:002014-07-28T21:27:57.839-05:00Brandy: I think we are vastly outnumbered by the c...Brandy: I think we are vastly outnumbered by the curious. Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-81856091675968309982014-07-28T18:09:55.858-05:002014-07-28T18:09:55.858-05:00I haven't read the books and have no intention...I haven't read the books and have no intention of watching the movie. But one of the things that fascinates me is the title. Fifty Shades of Gray sounds boring to me! ;)Jenny Schwartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00320451924849353120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023439581304993308.post-83686022002003011142014-07-28T17:57:37.369-05:002014-07-28T17:57:37.369-05:00I haven't read the books and I don't know ...I haven't read the books and I don't know if I will see the movie. From everything I've heard about the story it seems to be about a practitioner of BDSM who gets it most everything about it wrong. I'm sure that happens often. Just as some people use sex itself as abuse (rape) I'm sure some use the cover of BDSM to find victims. That's why anyone who is really interested in BDSM should research and get in touch with others in the lifestyle. The very last thing any submissive wants is a dominant partner who is out of control. Safe, sane and consensual is one mantra I've heard used. <br /><br />As some of your earlier commenters have pointed out, there is a difference between abuse and dominance and submission (D/s). As an outsider, sadism and masochism (the S&M in BDSM) do seem a bit like abuse to me, but knowing how often other alternative lifestyles are misunderstood, I'm very hesitant to call it that. One of your commenters said it is a game and for some that is true, but not for all. For some, dominance and submission (D/s) is a very important part of their lives. It can be an important but small part of a more normative lifestyle or it can be their lifestyle. D/s often has nothing to do with whips and chains, though they can be a tool that is used. <br /><br />I guess the thing I want to address more than anything is your comment that it must be an acquired taste. Those who play at it may "aquire" a taste for BDSM in an attempt to spice up their sex lives. But I truly believe there is something much stronger and substantive to all of this. I think dominance and submission are a part of a person's make-up. I'm sure there is a spectrum in the population and for a big chunk in the middle that element is so minor as to not matter at all. But at the edges it is such an integral part of who a person is that going against that nature is painfully difficult. Not to say that the person can't function normally, but they will struggle and be unhappy. They must learn to compensate for their nature and learn to be less submissive or less dominant. I hate to compare it to other things because I'm sure I would manage to offend someone. I'll just say that making light is like making light of any other are where some people are different from the norm. <br /><br />I know you have an inquisitive, thoughtful mind so I will wrap up my long winded comment by saying there is some science behind this. I touched on one small part of this in a post I did back in 2011: Sex and violence the science behind the trope. You can search my site for it. If you want to know more about the science behind the similarity between pleasure and pain, I'm sure it is out there on the net.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16081037755420821748noreply@blogger.com