#AskELJames: Twitter Let The "Fifty Shades" Author Have It

There’s not much of an introduction I need to do for this. E.L.pa James, the writer of the oft-derided Fifty Shades of Grey series  had a Twitter Q&A. Somehow, her PR team thought this was a fantastic idea, but as the #AskThicke team figured out all too late, talking to Twitter was the worst thing James could ever do.

By the way, if you don’t know why Fifty Shades of Grey is enough to make the people of Twitter rise up as one and denounce James, the book series is listed as an S&M erotica series. What it really is, and what many people pounced on James for, is a story about abuse and excusing the abuse as “love.”

So, without further ado, here are some choice tweets:

#AskELJames How does it feel to have actually written a worse love story than Twilight? That is real skill.

— Travelling Beard (@TravellingBeard) June 30, 2015

What do you dislike more, Independent strong woman or the English language? #AskELJames

— Trevor Donovan (@TrevDon) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames what do you hate more? a) good literature b) consent c) women d) healthy relationships e) all of the above

— emma (@PRESERUMPINING) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames is going perfectly. My question: Do you know what consent means?

— Olivia A. Cole (@RantingOwl) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames after the success of “Grey,” have you considered re-telling the story from the perspective of someone who can write

— Andrew Vestal (@avestal) June 29, 2015

The #AskELJames tag is my favorite place right now https://t.co/LXKAHhW9eX

— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames I need advice on making a BIG romantic gesture. Should I put a GPS tracker in her phone and make threats if she tries to leave?

— Liam Dryden (@LiamDrydenEtc) June 29, 2015

how do you feel knowing you’ve made your riches from convincing young impressionable girls that abuse is ‘love’? #AskELJames

— dione tennant // 29 (@alIonsytennant) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames If there’s no abuse in your books, why are you unable to defend it to survivors & charities, choosing to block/ignore instead?

— 50 Shades is abuse (@50shadesabuse) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames could you please apologise to quality, conscientious Fan Fiction writers whose names you have tarnished?

— IDFYTI (@IDFYTI) June 29, 2015

#askeljames Do you ever wonder how powerful your books could have been if you’d had Ana break free of the abuse in the end?

— Paul Anthony Shortt (@PAShortt) June 29, 2015

Did you see the abusive relationship of Bella and Edward and think “hmm needs more abuse” #AskELJames

— R_chelCh_rlt_nD_iley (@RachelCDailey) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames Seriously, why did you ignore then block me when I told you I was a survivor & suggested you maybe donate to an abuse charity?

— Emma Tofi (@EmmaTofi) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames have you considered writing The Trial of Christian Gray given that you portray him as a rapist and abuser?

— Pandamoanium (@Iancoggneato) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames Is it only ok for Christian to stalk, coerce, threaten & manipulate Ana because he’s hot, or is it also ok because he’s rich?

— 50 Shades is abuse (@50shadesabuse) June 29, 2015

Are you going to answer any of these questions, or do you need Stephenie Meyer to do a Twitter chat first? #AskELJames

— Beth Thorne (@bethorne) June 29, 2015

I’d rather #AskELJames‘s publicist why they thought this was going to be a good idea.

— Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames: 50 Shades from #Grey‘s POV is exactly what Meyer did with Twilight’s Edward. Are you capable of ANYTHING *original* or nah?

— Lisa J. Ellwood (@WomanistNerd) June 29, 2015

Stephenie Meyer’s husband is named Christian. I assume that is why you chose Grey’s first name as Christian? #AskELJames

— Katiebabs (@katiebabs) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames What’s the minimum distance you have to stay away from Stephenie Meyer at all times?

— Kayleigh Anne (@Ceilidhann) June 29, 2015

If I tracked your cell phone and followed you to a bar, but I said it was because I was worried about you, would that be okay? #AskELJames

— Snark Squad (@Snark_Squad) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames Are you aware that using alcohol and manipulation to gain consent is incredibly abusive and negates any consent given?

— 50 Shades is abuse (@50shadesabuse) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames How long do you intend to block, ignore and silence people with legitimate concerns that you’re romanticising abuse?

— 50 Shades is abuse (@50shadesabuse) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames Everyone is focused on the abusive aspect of your books, but have you ever considered that you are just a god-awful writer?

— Whiskey Eyes (@CanineBRATS) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames have you considered a book which empowers women instead of encouraging the acceptance of abusive controlling male behaviour?

— Claire Moore (@cctheatreco) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames How many times a day do you think Charlie Hunnam just laughs with sheer relief?

— Kayleigh Anne (@Ceilidhann) June 29, 2015

#AskELJames do you REALLY think this is “love”? pic.twitter.com/NszHiDROYl

— blige romanova (@THECAROLDANVERS) June 29, 2015

So what did you think about the #AskELJames debacle? Write about it in the comments section below and keep the conversation going on COLOR’s Facebook and Twitter!

Fifty Shades of Grey Blu-ray box art. Photo credit: Universal Pictures