I'm noticing more and more people who are becoming quite brazen with the messages that they send Authors. I think it's important to remember that these are PEOPLE with FEELINGS. It's okay to express your dislike of a novel if you've read it and didn't care for it. After all, no one expects you to like every single book that you read. But there's no need to tell them that their work is garbage and that they should quit writing. Umm. Excuse me? Because you didn't care for something means that everyone is going to feel the same way as you? Yeah, I don't think so. What if someone was saying the same exact thing about your son that's on the football team or your daughter that's a cheerleader?
"Hey, your kid is crap."
"Why are they wasting their time?"
"They need to just quit right now."
Not very tasteful, is it? There's also nothing constructive about that.
Also, we're adults. Why would anyone find it acceptable to criticize the way an Author looks? The last time I checked, a person's ability to write a story had nothing to do with weight, color, height, or anything of that nature. Furthermore, embrace diversity. If we all looked the same way, life would be extremely boring ... don't you think?
Another thing that really bothers me is the fact that some people feel that it is within their right to tell an Author how they should write their books. How they don't spend enough time on social media. How they shouldn't share this teaser but should have shared that one instead.
UGH ... I really don't know where to start with everything that's wrong here.
First and foremost, unless you're the one actually writing the book, you really have no say in how it should be written ... do you? If you feel that strongly about a story then maybe you should write your own book the way that you want it to be written, don't you think? I get so irritated when I see more and more people trying to dictate the way an Author should do their job. You obviously follow that person for a reason. They must have done something right to start with. How about you trust that they know what they're doing? Show a little faith.
Secondly, we work and we go home. Authors do not. Some of them have full-time jobs and write when they can. Some have quit their day jobs so that writing could be their full-time job. Either way, they spend months on something that you soar through in a few hours. Meals are forgotten, families are neglected, nights out with friends become a thing of the past. When an Author is approaching a deadline, they live, breathe, and bleed their story. It consumes them. I don't blame a single person if they need a break from the internet from time to time. If they need a break away from all of the naysayers. How can you listen to the characters when you have everyone in your ear telling you what they should be doing?
Social media is a beautiful tool that has helped bring Readers and Authors together. It's a great way to connect and form new friendships. Unfortunately, it also gives some people a sense of entitlement. Just because you follow someone and are a fan of their work does not give you control over their craft. It does not give you the right to attack them. To make them feel small. I just think some people need to take a good look around them and realize that what they're doing is NOT okay.
To all of the Authors who come across this post and have made it this far, I thank you for all that you do. You face things like this every single day and still put out book after book for us to enjoy. You do so with a smile on your face and you continue to actively engage with your readers. I see the occasional rants and videos, but I never see any of you quit. I never see any of you back down. You have no idea how much I love you for that. If I could hug each and every single one of you then I would do so in a heartbeat. You ARE appreciated. You ARE beautiful. You ARE fan-freaking-tastic. And don't let anyone ever make you feel otherwise.
- Sarah
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