Because LJ's comment cap is ridiculously low...
Mr. Collins, if you're still around, here's my answer to your comment on my last post. I tried putting it under that comment, but it's 1000+ characters over the limit, and there's no way I could find to shorten it.
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( Putting this back here now that the 'show' is over )
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( Putting this back here now that the 'show' is over )
The fact that you found the original post(and you haven't said how you found it) was because you were, essentially, eavesdropping. And everyone knows, people who eavesdrop don't often hear what they want to hear. The internet has led to a blurred line between what's public and what's private...but honestly, you can't expect that if you go into someone's home, among someone's friends, and criticize her opinion that her friends aren't going to jump in and support her, do you? Some of us may have read your books, but essentially, you're just someone who is sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong. People are entitled to their opinions, even if you don't like them.
You say that people aren't considering your feelings...but are you considering ours? You have no idea what our shared language is, what our backgrounds are, or what we do besides all come together in cyberspace to discuss fan issues. You immediately get defensive, and criticize our friend for her valid opinion, in her personal space.
Common courtesy goes both ways.
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I "found" it because I check my name on Google once a week, looking for reviews -- that's the only way I can know if a blog, newspaper or magazine has covered me. In the case of quotable favorable reviews, I forward the URL to my editors.
Similarly, anyone interested in me, or the shows I write tie-ins for, can do a search and easily come up with what you're saying is "private." And your friend's initial post was actually addressed to me -- an open letter to me.
If I am attacked in public, I have every right to respond.
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Sure, you can disagree. You can even say so. But as was pointed out, you're doing the equivalent of walking in to a room full of friends and telling us we're wrong. Not really a nice intro.
If you think you were attacked, don't ever read any of the reviews over at the "Smart Bitches, Trashy Books" blog. They're rife with the f-word and hyper critical of author mistakes that should have been caught.
I think your response could cost you much more than it has gained. Fans talk. It's what we do. Bri's review gets read by her friends list, but you respond negatively and word-of-mouth will spread.
I know several authors (some personally, others just via online communication), and if any of them responded this way to a fannish blog, I'd feel the urge to give 'em a smack upside the head. But then they wouldn't do that, as they know better than to take it personally and do an "open mouth, insert foot" moment online.
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And by replying, I am out of line, and now threatened with a bad-word of mouth campaign.
Nice.
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As far as the "letter" being addressed to you, it's often used online as a form of review. It's not really intended to be directed to you personally. I see it in many blogs, especially those who talk books, but if you haven't, then I can understand your confusion.
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I googled your name too, and didn't find any of Bri's entries at all...although I admit I only checked the first three pages that came up with each search. (And before you ask, I'm a librarian and well aware of how to search. I also know how people DO search, and tried both ways.)
Just because I'm curious...have you ever visited LiveJournal before? Did you have any idea how this site is normally used? Did you look around first to see what kind of posts normally go on around here?
I maintain that Bri's post was not an attack. A strongly-worded question, maybe, but not an attack. You do have the right to respond, of course. But so does everyone else. That's what this community is about.
edited to change a word. "write" does not equal "right". D'oh.
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