Something Tells Me This Needs to Be Said...

[cyn2write]

I am simply horrified. The gap between reviewers and authors seems to be widening. I've just learned that this drama is not playing out only on the internet. Lives are being threatened.

Can we go back to the beginning?  Nearly 10 months ago, I posted a goofball piece on my blog for about 30 minutes, about how authors were weird, and that just

Comments

[maggie_writes]

I had no idea you quit writing. That's awful!! I know the internet can be really awful at times, but I don't think it should stop you from writing. But I"m not you and I don't want to tell you what to do. Maybe you just need a little break and then you'll come back to writing. Anyway, I wish you the best.

[cyn2write]

Well, after some thought I realized I couldn't quit writing completely-- I just needed to take a break. As to whether I'll ever publish anything again-- I'm honestly terrified to. Thank you!

[robinellen]

First, I've seen the anti-bully site (which is appears to promote bullying the bullies) -- and they state outright that none of them are authors...so if anyone is attacking authors and saying they're behind it, the 'anyones' aren't reading carefully. The whole thing is a huge mess, I agree, and it's a shame that people resort to this kind of behavior. I haven't deleted my GR account, but I haven't updated it in ages -- and I don't visit anymore. That site is a menace, and it makes me feel unclean and less than human. The fact that its ugliness is spilling over like this makes me ill...I hope the threats stop!

[cyn2write]

Yes, GR is not exactly a safety-zone for authors, and I'd often seen reviewers being beaten up there, as well. And all I see this doing is escalating. People "bully". Someone who doesn't like it starts a website bullying them. Now those people put out rallying calls to find that person and make her pay. Now death threats are being tossed around. Then what? It's getting very, very scary. I wish everyone would just walk away.

[boothyisawesome]

This is insane. Why can't people just act like decent human beings on the internet? Don't bully authors, don't bully each other, don't be a jackass when you review a book. Just have tact and be civil. Ugh. How hard can that be?

[cyn2write]

Someone should just invent an app where your mom comes out of the screen and smacks you whenever you say something you wouldn't normally say to a person in real life.

[kudosirony]

I didn't realize GR was so bad. I love it for keeping track of books I've read, am reading, or want to read. I use it to look at the star rating for a potential book if I should go for it or not. I didn't know it was so bad for other people.

[cyn2write]

I know I've finished many books and wanted to discuss them with people, and Goodreads is a great place for that. I used to check ratings and get book recs on Goodreads, but I've found that these ratings aren't as helpful as they once were. Too many people are rating books based on things other than the book itself, such as how much they like an author or the cover, or how their friends felt about it. And that's fine. Usually, I just read the summary to determine if it sounds like something I would enjoy, and make my own opinions.

:(

[vboekie]

Hey Cyn, I hope you keep publishing. As a reviewer myself I've realized that many reviewers can be catty and really immature and it makes me sad to see it. For some reason people feel entitled to say whatever they want and forget to look at people as actual human beings. Honestly, whether or not I like a book or if I think it's the worst thing ever published, I always try to show the author respect. I don't name call, I keep my critique to simply the writing. As an aspiring writer I know how hard it can be just to put yourself out there and for that really every writer should be commended. I'm sorry that you haven't been getting the respect that you deserve, but I hope you continue to write and publish (but only if it makes you happy). Sincerely, A devoted reader, fan and reviewer. ♥

Re: :(

[cyn2write]

Hi! I really do love reviewers, and that was the reason I wrote this post. Not to say, "poor me, my last book was a flop, feel sorry for me!" It's embarrassing to admit that one of your books has failed to live up to expectations. I admitted that because I didn't want anyone to think they needed to defend me against "review bullies", as that's not the reason I wanted to leave. There were many contributing factors-- reviews maybe have been included, but professional reviews--not anything that came out of GR. Sure, I appreciate the sentiment behind it, but I don't support the execution.

As for me, I will always try to write! And maybe I will publish again, as I do think I'm wiser, now, and have a few ideas how to insulate myself from the disappointment. Either way, I will be fine. Thank you for your support. You have mine, as well :)