Hi, I'd like to welcome a friend of mine from Classic Romance Revival. She's been a busy woman on a whirl wind tour with a brand new book that looks very exciting. So let me turn it over today to L.K. Hunsaker and we are OFF TO THE MOON.
Hi Nancy! Thanks for having me today. :-)
So, any idea who Gerard is “with” this week? According to the tabloids, it seems he’s hooked up to a different girl about every week. He says he’s not hooked to anyone. What’s new in CelebrityLand?
One of the issues in Off The Moon is the difference between what we see and hear about actors and singers who have made it to the big time. We hear about the stalkers and restraining orders and anger outbursts, but what’s really going on? Do celebs actually have no right to privacy when they’re out and about?
In Wednesday’s blog post with Liana, I put up a short excerpt that included Ryan talking with his brother about how his celebrity status has affected his family. There’s much more to the story, though. When he rescues Kaitlyn and pulls her into his world, rumors fly and many of his decisions are made with regard to what fans and the press will think.
I’ve heard, sometimes first-hand, from big-name singers who had to deal with dashing through the airport in order to try to evade fans and how their spouses have been harrassed and even injured by fans who go over the edge. I also tend to read musician autobiographies and watch interviews and such. The situations in Off The Moon (as well as in my Rehearsal series) that deal with fans are real-life, not real but based on real events. They lose hair and get clothes torn and sometimes even cracked ribs from overwhelming crowds.
It’s not only hard on the celebrities, but also on those close to them. They’re never quite sure if someone wants to know them for them or to try to get to the celeb.
The other issue is: how much of what we hear is true? I know of publicists/managers who have changed facts to make singers look better, or worse. Celebrity reporters catch glimpses of things and turn them into stories based on a fact or two, but out of context or stretched beyond what it was. Everything on the outside appears glamorous and fun, when behind the scenes, they often have a myriad of problems most of us will never know. And shouldn’t.
Ryan gets thoroughly caught up in trying to “handle” the publicity when he lets Kaitlyn stay at his place. As they struggle to settle her issues, the added stress of what is said, true or not, complicates matters. Kaitlyn is suddenly faced with having her private life splayed all over the media because of his career. Even her most private, hurtful moments are revealed as she tries to heal.
I’ve heard many say celebrities choose that life and have to expect it. Is that true? Should they? I can say that if my name as a writer ever gets up there with Laurell Kay Hamilton, I’ll still expect to be able to maintain my private life. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), writers aren’t seen as celebs as much as singers and actors. If they were, maybe there would be a few included on Dancing With The Stars. Wouldn’t that be nice?
What do you think about celebrities and privacy and what we hear? Do fans have the right to flock to them in public? Do writers have the right to print half-truth articles that question intimate details? Do we really need to know who is dating whom this week? Is it true? How much do you think is true or manufactured?
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Buy Link for Off the Moon preorders:
http://www.elucidatepublishing.net/books.html
Find my website for more info, plus a free download of the beginnings of each of my novels:
http://www.lkhunsaker.com
Also, be sure to check my blog for Off The Moon related interviews.
http://lkhunsaker.blogspot.com
Off The Moon
LK Hunsaker
17 comments:
Hi Nancy! It's great to be here with you and your readers today!
If anyone who has been following the tour has questions, feel free to ask.
It looks like Blogger cut off part of the post, so here's the link to my full schedule as well as details on how to win a story or a copy of the book:
http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/?p=1520
gotta love blogger LOL or course it could have been the person who put it in. Welcome LK. I so hope you have a great day. We're drying out as this nor'easter winds down. Welcome, welcome!
Nancy, glad you still have power! I know how that goes.
Oh, and thanks for your post last month! I didn't see it. Oops. There is a prize to be raffled for anyone commenting on this blog: a free, brand new short story that is a bit of a prequel for Off The Moon. I'll start drawing winners for the first week of tour this weekend. They'll be posted on my blog and at CRR.
We'll be looking forward to it. I've been following the blog tour when I had a chance and you've got a lot going. Congratulations.
Hi Nancy! Hi LK- Nice to see you here! I hope your blog tour is going great!
I liked this blog post. And good luck with the rest of your tour.
Nancy, I appreciate you following the tour. :-)
Kaye, nice to see you here. It is going well. I'm very pleased with the effort of so many to follow me along, and of course with those hosting!
Loraine, great comments about celebrity and the toll it takes on you. I think OFF THE MOON sounds very interesting in how it tackles Ryan's celebrity. Here's a couple of my thoughts:
What do you think about celebrities and privacy and what we hear?
I think things aren't always what we hear. Do they have a right to privacy? To an extent. I mean what goes on in Brad and Angelina's mansion is PRIVATE. If they take the kids out to McDonalds, they kinda give up their privacy because of their celebrity and they should know that.
Do fans have the right to flock to them in public?
No. Fans a right to be respectful. Flocking is NOT cool. These are people too.
Do writers have the right to print half-truth articles that question intimate details?
Personally, no. I wouldn't. But then when you're trying to sell magazines...
Do we really need to know who is dating whom this week?
No. Trust me, I could care less.
Is it true? How much do you think is true or manufactured?
Oh I think there's always a "bit" of truth in what is reported. Determining what that truth is - that's another issue. I try not to think too much about it.
Thanks for your answers, Steph!
Yes, they are people, like we are, and there are lines. Sometimes those lines are vague and sometimes they are crossed way too far.
I'm like you. I don't want to hear who's dating who. Why does it matter?
hi LK!
MY GOOD FRIEND NANCY TOLD ME ABOUT YOU! I WOULD LOVE TO WIN AND READ YOUR BOOK AS I'VE NEVER READ YOU B BEFORE.
LINDA B
Caught up with you at last, LK! GOod questions. I think while celebs are 'on duty,' doing the red carpet stuff or shows or whatever, then yes, they have a duty to their fans. But when it comes to their private life, especially with those who've made it quite clear they don't want the media intrusion, then they absolutely should be left well alone. I loathe all that paparazzi stuff, it's just a pity that there are so many magazzines who'll buy it, and so many members of the public who buy those magazines....:( Everybody wants a piece of it, I guess, it's just knowing the appropriate time to draw the line.
I'm sure a lot of it is made up or just heavily embroidered. :) 'Celebs' are meant to be larger than life, aren't they? Isn't that what the public wants?
The sad thing is, it's just not possible for people who are uber-famous to do ordinary things any more, and I'm afraid that comes with the territory. 'Hey, look, there's Johnny Depp in that Starbucks over there! Let's give him his space!' That just isn't going to happen. Celebs who've got a handle on it can deal with that, but I bet it isn't easy.
The more I read about Off The Moon, the more interesting it sounds!
Thanks to you, Nancy, for hosting LK and another of her great posts!
Jane x
Hi Linda, it's great to meet you! I wish you luck in the drawings. :-)
Jane, I believe that's exactly why Johnny moved to France. It was too much commotion and he likes privacy. I totally understand being star struck as I've been able to meet one of my favorite singers, but showing appreciation and grabbing at their hair and clothes are different things. (No, I didn't do that, LOL)
Glad you caught up with me again. "Heavily embroidered" -- great term. Yes, I think most of it is, even with a bit of the truth somewhere in there.
Hello, Nancy and LK! Love the classy look of your blog, nancy!
LK - I think it's sad that so many fans seem to conisder that celebs have no rights to a private life. It's a great pity, indeed. Once not on stage, all performers should be able to switch off.
Lindsay, yes, being able to switch off is so important.
One more thought here on the subject: What's sad is that this tendency to overwhelm other human beings to that point, or to crush people to death in the mosh pit shows such a lack of respect and empathy for others. Can we be surprised when celebs get so annoyed that they shove back? You can't respect someone who doesn't show you respect.
Thanks all, for coming in. I'll keep checking back now and then.
And thanks again, Nancy!
This is a great blog topic, Loraine. A great topic for any discussion actually. People are hungry for leaders and oftentime idolize stars of screen and stage. I can't imagine living under that constant scrutiny. Thanks for raising our awareness of this issue.
Hi Maggie! The lack of leadership comment is a good issue to point out in connection with celebrity worship. We all need something to look up to and emulate. It's sad when we have nothing better than celebs for that. No insult meant to celebs, but most will say they do not want to be role models. Unfortunately, they too often are, for good and bad.
WINNER: Linda B
(this is for the short story, to win the book, comment on at least 8 blogs along the tour!)
I used WDC's virtual dice and counted 4 comments other than myself and my blog host, plus previous winners and came up with number 3.
Congrats, Linda! The story will be mailed out after the book's release date. Please contact promotions@classicromancerevival.com with your mailing address.
Link to the contest rolls:
http://www.writing.com/main/tools.php?action=roll_history&lookup_item_id=1618296
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