Wow. This juvenile meltdown by a published author is making the rounds on the Internet right now, and it’s great reading. The gist is simple: reviewer on Amazon.com gives a book a bad review, the author responds to the review, and total bugfuck hilarity ensues. The author descends into a meltdown laden with conspiracy theories, secret supporters (none of whom we actually see), and a seemingly insatiable need to dig their hole ever deeper.
If you at all like watching train wrecks, this is fantastic morning entertainment.
I just can’t fathom what’s going through someone’s head when they do this. Even major authors sometimes fall prey to it. Someone doesn’t like your work? Fine. That’s part of writing. You feel like you want to respond? Okay, I guess, but do so carefully, tactfully, kindly, and professionally. And by god, don’t have a week-long mental breakdown and insist it’s someone else’s fault! This author first suggests her editor is at fault if someone doesn’t like the book, then blames everyone but herself for the continuation of this meltdown when it would have ended immediately had she just stepped away from the computer for a few minutes.
This is 2009 (soon to be 2010). When you do this stuff on the Internet, it doesn’t go away. There are no takebacks. There are no do-overs. And it just plain looks bad.
DO NOT DO THIS.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If I ever descend into this kind of thing, can someone please smack me in the back of the head?
She's on to you, you know. She'll be sending the FBI after you. 😉
I probably should have posted this under an assumed name. I'll be arrested for sure!
If you ever act like this? No, I will not smack you in the back of the head.
I will punch you in the neck.
Pingback: WRITING: When authors have crazy meltdowns | Your AWESOME Editor
Pingback: On writing: when hatchet jobs are a good thing – Your AWESOME Editor