Be a teacher or be an author

Wow, it looks like she tried to keep the two separate, too. Too bad.

I write mysteries in which people die in horrible ways, and I taught middle school for over 30 years. When students asked about my stories, I always told them to check with their parents as I write FOR ADULTS.

I never talked about my writing in class either, but when asked I never tried to hide it.

Still, too bad for her. I hope the school officials decide it's none of their business and if she keeps it to herself, and isn't discussing her work in class, then it's her business.

I am sure if she were writing historical fiction, they'd be bragging that one of their teachers is a published author.

What a poorly written article. I'm sure that reporter would do well to attend her class.

In all seriousness - read the comments. Not a one criticizing her. Every single person in support of the teacher.

I think this is a mountain out of a molehill. One parent on a crusade. She won't bring this teacher down.

Zander, I hope you're right. I came across this article earlier today, and got so steamed I never made it to the comments. The writing did strike me as terribly amateurish and suspect, though.

The whole thing still burns me up.

Like everybody else, it would be a pity if she lost her job because of it. The general public likes to be ignorant in many ways and still think they can wrestle justice out of a misconception.

I think, judging by the comments, that there would be a public outcry if the teacher lost her job because of some idiot parents who equate writing romance novels with acting in porn movies.

These parents are obviously idiots. The fact that the school and the teacher refuse to comment is indication enough that they don't think the teacher has crossed any boundaries.

There's a reason the woman used a pen name, and that should be respected. What gets me is how this parent found out - she MUST have bought one of the teacher's books and then figured it out.

So who's more 'dirty'? Ridiculous people

To be honest, I worry about this. Living in the Middle East and wanting to be published makes me worry about the safety of my job.

I know that back home I would likely be free from any backlash (especially because of unions). In the Middle East, however, people often get fired for very arbitrary reasons. Often, people will get fired just because the wrong person doesn't like them. (How wonderful to live in a country run by wasta).

I hope everything works out for the author. I also hope the school holds her up as a success story of where writing can take you. But who knows.

AmsterdamAssassin said:

I think, judging by the comments, that there would be a public outcry if the teacher lost her job because of some idiot parents who equate writing romance novels with acting in porn movies.

These parents are obviously idiots. The fact that the school and the teacher refuse to comment is indication enough that they don't think the teacher has crossed any boundaries.

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Hope so, really hope so, about the backlash if she is fired and about the school being supportive. Idiot parents are everywhere, sadly.

A woman that has taught for 25 years needs to "make a decision as to what she wants to do. Either be a school teacher or author,"? It just makes my head hurt.

This is why I have pseudonyms. :/

That's absolutely pitiful. One of those parents suggested she was some sort of depraved individual who might *look* at her son in a certain way. Seriously? I'd say they're the ones with the dirty minds.

I chose to use a pen name for my romances because I was teaching when I started being published. Also because I write YA and wanted to do school visits for those (even though at the time I made that decision, I hadn't had any YA published). After reading this, I'm glad I made that decision...

Pen names for the win. It does not stop people from finding out, but it stops them from being able to argue that every kid will run off and read the steamy books just because your name is on them.

Utterly ridiculous, and another example of the stupid, puritanical mindset that unfortunately still seems so prevalent in our society, when it comes to OMG *gasp* sex between consenting adults, even fictional ones.

This is something I've worried about with my writing career. I work with babies, plus I have an ex who is... I'll call him unpredictable and let your imagination go wild from there. Let it go very wild.

I think what's most disgusting to me in this situation is that someone went digging for the information. Motive for something like this is very questionable, and really, even if the school district says it's not a problem, how comfortable and effective will she be in her job?

Such a silly thing for parents to worry about. Teachers are allowed to have lives outside of work.

My worst nightmare come to life!! My students know about my mainstream books. Shoot, some of the parents are my biggest fans. But the erotica?? Oh, HELL NO. I keep my pen name a guarded secret, but I know the kids know I write hotter stuff.

I figure if the narrow minded people in my community every try something like this, I'll call Oprah or Ellen.

The Smart Bitches are all over this!!

shameless said:

The Smart Bitches are all over this!!

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Thanks for sharing that link. This is an appalling story of ignorance and sensationalism. How anyone can make a connection between someone who writes romance novels and a pedophile is beyond me.

Maybe if the stories included that component, but I doubt that such stories would be published.

The writing of the news story that someone commented about is written by a broadcaster, they tend to write in a style that is meant to be spoken, not read, and accompany video footage, but what concerns me is that she didn't ask the right questions.

I'd like to know how the parent found out in the first place, and how her son found out. And why the parents have such filthy and perverted minds that they'd actually believe that the woman's a pedophile.

Hopefully, once the print journalists get their hands on the story they can dig a little deeper.

Focus

This worries me. Obviously, I write picture books aimed at young kids. But I also write romance-not erotica. So far, my first novel only had kissing, but the sequel will steam it up. The novella I'm working on may have sex (not sure if the characters want to go there ) but behind closed doors. Still, I really worry that people will have a problem. I have two pen names, neither of which is my real name. Best decision ever made.

I saw the link on Smart Bitches this morning. I only read about half of the comments, but it really warmed my heart to see that every single one that I read was supporting this woman. It's sick. If she were writing any other type of novel, not only would it not be an issue at all, but they would probably be loudly proclaiming that they had a published author teaching at their school. Idiots. I can't even fathom what this "reporter" was thinking to drag this up for no reason whatsoever.

Christine N. said:

There's a reason the woman used a pen name, and that should be respected. What gets me is how this parent found out - she MUST have bought one of the teacher's books and then figured it out.

So who's more 'dirty'? Ridiculous people

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Oh, it gets better. The news channel released an update that states "She [Apple] says she researched her [Mays'] books online and told administrators.

Apple and other parents told WNEP-TV they are unhappy with the content. They say Buranich should keep teaching, though she should be more discreet (spelling error theirs)."

She involves the press and then tells the author to be more discrete? Unbelievable. The complainant must just be getting hammered with criticism. I know the station is.