It’s a say day when I actually have to post something like this. Today it is a sad day.
What it is:
Taking pride in your profession
Forming a strong work ethic
Treating your peers with respect
What it is not:
Creating a hate group to single out a person, group or arm of the business
Flaming and bashing people within your profession for amusement
Presenting untruths as fact to make yourself look better or justify your actions
A great post I found that looks at the dangers of thinking the Internet is a playground by an Anon Editor: The Internet, Like Herpes, Is Forever
Definitely something to think about.
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Angela, I have no idea what’s going on, but so sorry that it’s happened to you — of all people. People forget that words can hurt.
I don’t know what happened but it sounds like it was pretty bad. I’m so sorry to hear that. I just can’t imagine anyone being cruel to you, you are such a sweet person. Writers are normally the most wonderful, supportive people but every now and then a bad apple tries to sour things. Don’t let them bring you down. Those of us who matter remain to lift one another up.
Yes, yes, and yes! Professionalism and basic human decency are a must in everything we do. You did a nice job of reminding us that it applies to online situations, too. It’s just unfortunate that some people need to be “reminded”. You are THE BEST! 🙂
I have the feeling I missed something. Regardless, you are so right.
hugs right back to you!
This!
I have to agree with Anonymous 1&2. Being unprofessional only serves to make the one doing it look bad. There’s so much going on in life that it seems silly to grind an ax instead of letting things go.
And for what it’s worth, we all love and adore you. 🙂
Great post, Angela! But I can’t believe this needs to be stated. It should be a given!
Very true.
Angela, I’m wondering what troll happened along now and what they did. Whatever happened, I’m sorry it had to happen to you.
Unfortunately, the internet makes it very easy for people with bones to pick to indulge themselves at the expense of others. I can’t help but think they must be young — and foolish.
I don’t know why people think that just because no one can see your face as you type the words, it doesn’t matter or affect anyone. It does. Very much so. I’m sorry if you’ve encountered something like this and hope that you don’t again in the future. You’d think that people realize anyone can find anything at all, and you have to be very careful what you say – or don’t say – because you never know who can find it.
I often thing things like this happen because a person is unable to step back. As writers we’re passionate, but we also need to be respectful. Everyone has the right to develop at their own speed, share their ideas and make their own choices. We can agree or disagree, but that is on us, not them.
And if we get to the point where what is happening bothers us so much that we’re tempted to become unprofessional, it’s time to disengage.
You guys are the best. What would I do without you all? Thanks for the kind words and emails! I didn’t want to go all negative on the blog, but some things really do need to be pointed out.
I’m always sad for people, writers especially, who post cruel words. Could they possibly understand how much damage they are doing, to their victims and to themselves?
Great post, and thank you for the link!
Nice post, Angela…Great link! I worry about being confused with other people with my name…
I hope everyone who reads my blog enjoys it and doesn’t take me too seriously…
Like many others here, I don’t know what was going on, but I agree with everything you said, Angela. It’s only basic decency that we treat each other with respect. That’s not to say that people can’t disagree on something. I’m all for friendly debate, as long as it’s all done with respect for all parties involved.
I love the philosophy that we, as writers, are all in this together, and I’ve found the blogging community to be a supportive and welcoming place. I’d like to see that continue.
And it’s funny that I read this post today because I was using a hashtag search on Twitter just last night and found that one single person had posted on a regular basis using a hashtag simply to make sure the community he was bashing would read his tweets. And I found that very sad (and also a little pathetic that he had nothing better to do other than to post the same pointless, negative tweet over and over again at semi-regular intervals.
Thanks for an excellent post, Angela, and something we’d all do well to remember.
Angela, I believe that the vast majority of the people on the net are good, kind souls. Unfortunately it’s those few who are…awful…who stand out. Good reminder, though.
Thank you for this post, Angela. It’s something we all need to remember.
Okay, so I’ve lived a sheltered life. I had not idea this was going on. How sad! I’m very grateful for the bloggers I follow and who follow me. Thanks!
It’s really too bad people don’t support each other. That’s one of the best parts about being a writer is the support from the writing community.
Good reminder Angela. While I find the vast majority of writers in the community are mutually supportive, there are the few who use their blogs as their platform to address personal issues against those in the industry. The book writing profession is just that, a profession with commonly understood rules of conduct.
Angela, you are a true professional, and it is sad if there are writers out there who are not. This business of writing novels and getting published is hard, and I’ve been glad to have your support as a writer through your intersting blog commentaries and thorough critiques.
Professionalism is something that only non-professionals stridently proclaim.
True professionals don’t need to justify themselves by pointing at others.
The internet is, sadly, a place where folks *think* they can say anything they want.
It *is* a sad day when hard work, commitment, and professionalism are mocked.
I’m aware of the issue Angela is posting about and from the outside looking in, it’s very clear who *isn’t* professional. They’ve done themselves unrepairable harm as writers and human beings.
Oh wow, hugs and yes, so sad that you would even have to post this today! 🙁
Angela, I am not sure what happened. But. Yes to everything you said. We are in this together, to celebrate all of our successes—put our books and others in the hands of our kid (and YA) readers. It’s a team thing. Hugs back.
very true words, whether you are a writer or not.
I’m unsure what everyone is talking about here though.
“Presenting untruths as fact to make yourself look better”
They didn’t make themselves look better, Angela. I read it and believe me, I didn’t think much of them at all.
There will always be some people who seem to defy common sense. The rest of us already understand this.
Like you said, we’re all in it together.
PS, I’ve got contests on at my blog this week. http://aclairedawn.blogspot.com
Feel free to drop by.
You are absolutely right, Angela.
Great post, Angela. 😀
I signed onto my blog this morning to make basically the same comment. People need to realize that words posted in cyberspace can come back to haunt them. When selecting someone to give an author’s talk, would I choose someone who did that?
Many thanks for those who have always treated me with respect, even if we disagree on something. I firmly believe that all writers are in this together, and we should always build up, not tear down, help, not harm.
🙂 Hugs to all!
Angela