tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post113215370293310931..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: Decide for Yourself GiveawayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132336675874219862005-11-18T12:57:00.000-05:002005-11-18T12:57:00.000-05:00Ohhh a salacious snitfest! They are the best!Ohhh a salacious snitfest! They are the best!Eva Galehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08834856467514439544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132328259367618952005-11-18T10:37:00.000-05:002005-11-18T10:37:00.000-05:00It's a difficult question to answer. It's the sort...It's a difficult question to answer. It's the sort of thing that happens in any community. Most workplaces have rules and a defined hierarchy, partly to prevent such things from happening.<BR/><BR/>I think the only answer is to take the high road. As the old saw has it, wrestling with a pig is a mug's game: you'll both get dirty, and the pig likes it. Take the high road, use the energy to write a better book. Living well really is the best revenge, the moreso because it's no revenge at all.Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023986850397045322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132301141737682302005-11-18T03:05:00.000-05:002005-11-18T03:05:00.000-05:00A someone who enjoys quietly watching the train wr...A someone who enjoys quietly watching the train wrecks from the sidelines, I'd have to say that the thing that most impresses me is when the target of the snitfest posts a calm, reasonable reply to any legitimate criticisms, and ignores all the pot-stirrers. <BR/><BR/>Personally, if I was ever the target of a snitfest, I'd probably pour my frustration out on my characters. (Poor characters!) I'd get more writing done, and you can't go wrong by tossing a few more rocks at your protagonists! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132283957938058152005-11-17T22:19:00.000-05:002005-11-17T22:19:00.000-05:00Sure I will, Briana.One of my three Roman Empire b...Sure I will, Briana.<BR/><BR/>One of my three Roman Empire books contains some kinky gay sex that IS relevant for charcters and plot development, but should that one get published, I bet there'll be a snitfest somewhere on the net, ;-)Gabriele Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205770868139083575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132249332625780752005-11-17T12:42:00.000-05:002005-11-17T12:42:00.000-05:00Anytime Gabriele! Just make sure you tell me when ...Anytime Gabriele!<BR/> Just make sure you tell me when the party is. I want to stand in the corner laughing with drink in hand. :PEva Galehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08834856467514439544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132249298664926962005-11-17T12:41:00.000-05:002005-11-17T12:41:00.000-05:00Hmmm, ignoring does seem the best tactic, but I wo...Hmmm, ignoring does seem the best tactic, but I would also suggest a polite e-mail to anyone who posts a particularly juvenile and vicious attack -- better yet, post an incredibly mature, incredibly polite response in the comments section if you can. Then everyone who reads the post will have a basis for comparison!<BR/><BR/>Reasoned response may not convince the petty, but it will impress the many who are watching the train wreck!E.D'Trixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15848795492727915814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132246702090748452005-11-17T11:58:00.000-05:002005-11-17T11:58:00.000-05:00I only have one suggestion : ignore the hate-monge...I only have one suggestion : ignore the hate-mongering and focus only on gripes which truly issue some fault in your writing.Rashmihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04697648988688059076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132236841121595792005-11-17T09:14:00.000-05:002005-11-17T09:14:00.000-05:00What would I do? What I did just recently when I ...What would I do? What I did just recently when I was the subject of a teensy, tiny snitfest myself--correct the factual errors politely and move on. The advantage of taking the high road is there's not much traffic and you can make great time. Oh yeah, and then I made gingerbread people for the worst offenders and ate them!Sofie Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16830230500527705589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132232233163807802005-11-17T07:57:00.000-05:002005-11-17T07:57:00.000-05:00If I had the talent of PBW I would write a one of ...If I had the talent of PBW I would write a one of her hughly entertaining farcical pieces with a pointed message but would first, as always, would consider the source - before taking any action.<BR/><BR/>MarieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132223258317864972005-11-17T05:27:00.000-05:002005-11-17T05:27:00.000-05:00Ignore it.Be glad for the publicity.And most impor...Ignore it.<BR/><BR/>Be glad for the publicity.<BR/><BR/>And most importantly, make a dartboard with the other person's face on it and hang it in my office.Alex Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12421948724206191688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132217752936979952005-11-17T03:55:00.000-05:002005-11-17T03:55:00.000-05:00I say make fun of it - there's no point in taking ...I say make fun of it - there's no point in taking it seriously because most of the time all the snits are stupid or pointless or jealousy-driven or all three(unless they are pointing out a genuine problem with your writing that you can fix for next time).<BR/><BR/>So do something silly with it - make a collage and sell it on ebay and donate the money to a writer organisation. Or alternatively just print out all the snits and have a big bonfire.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132216381105349982005-11-17T03:33:00.000-05:002005-11-17T03:33:00.000-05:00Eat the good part of an apple and throw away the r...Eat the good part of an apple and throw away the rest!<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Pencilone from EdinburghAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132203269506703162005-11-16T23:54:00.000-05:002005-11-16T23:54:00.000-05:00I'd make sure that the snit-ter got a copy of my b...I'd make sure that the snit-ter got a copy of my book. and the next one. and the next one after that. :)<BR/><BR/>I don't remember who said this, but I thought this quote was great... I'd just go and cry in my big bag of money :)Pink Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10293141156751580047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132199886807682672005-11-16T22:58:00.000-05:002005-11-16T22:58:00.000-05:00Apart from using criticism, kind or not, to improv...Apart from using criticism, kind or not, to improve my work, I'd likely take hard copies of any particularly offensive material and use it to wipe up the poopy puppy accidents in the kitchen - nasty is as nasty does!<BR/><BR/>And, to quote another:<BR/><BR/>"To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."<BR/>--Elbert Hubbard<BR/>US author (1856 - 1915)Jade L Blackwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15321787298101881675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132197305457095892005-11-16T22:15:00.000-05:002005-11-16T22:15:00.000-05:00I love Briana's idea. In case I ever get one of my...I <I>love</I> Briana's idea. <BR/><BR/>In case I ever get one of my novels published and end up victim of a snarkfest, may I borrow that one? :-)Gabriele Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17205770868139083575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132196193864789662005-11-16T21:56:00.000-05:002005-11-16T21:56:00.000-05:00Besides ignoring them, which really is the best th...Besides ignoring them, which really is the best thing?<BR/><BR/>Hmm, how about tough it out and smile. There are still enough people out there who have to decide their own opinions and don't blindly follow those of others. Those people won't be blindly led by the insult mongers and may actually buy the work in question to decide for themselves. Maybe they wouldn't have otherwise. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes just believe that there is a good side to it.Phoenixwallerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00896928536500926320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132194290277888902005-11-16T21:24:00.000-05:002005-11-16T21:24:00.000-05:001. Refuse utterly to acknowledge the existence of...1. Refuse utterly to acknowledge the existence of the kerfuffle in public. <BR/><BR/>2. Have hysterical tears all over your ten closest friends. Be sure said friends can be trusted not to (A) forward your mail (B) defend you in public.<BR/><BR/>3. Remind yourself that karma catches up with everybody sooner or later.<BR/><BR/>4. (Only for the spiritually advanced): Consider whether you in some way deserved some portion of the criticism.<BR/><BR/>5. Write the next book.Jonquilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00394073543168209042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132193717541593532005-11-16T21:15:00.000-05:002005-11-16T21:15:00.000-05:00I think the best thing to do is wait until you can...I think the best thing to do is wait until you can be fairly level-headed about it, then post a single response acknowledging the drama and explaining (as non-defensively as possible) why you did what you did in the book.<BR/><BR/>Then get back to working on your next book. :)<BR/><BR/>I read the excerpt everyone was laughing at, by the way, and I didn't see a problem with it. And I probably wouldn't even have heard of the book if it weren't for this snitfest, but now I want to read it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132191872002126742005-11-16T20:44:00.000-05:002005-11-16T20:44:00.000-05:00I've never been the subject of a snitfest. Should...I've never been the subject of a snitfest. Should I feel overlooked? *g* The closest was last year when my debut novel's cover was nominated for year's worst on AAR. Friends were more upset on my behalf than I was. My publisher invited visitors to go look and comment yay or nay as they saw fit - and invited them to enter a contest for a signed copy of All Keyed Up. I was delighted.<BR/><BR/>If a snitfest ever brews over one of my books, I'd be most likely to post one comment acknowledging the discussion and inviting anyone who had not previously read the book to visit my website for an excerpt.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132190616161399982005-11-16T20:23:00.000-05:002005-11-16T20:23:00.000-05:00I would give the comments points.10 for snarkiness...I would give the comments points.<BR/><BR/>10 for snarkiness and wit, down to 1 for total lack of imagination. <BR/><BR/>I would post daily totals on my blog.<BR/><BR/>I would then give the winner a signed copy of my book and tell them they may burn it in effigy.Eva Galehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08834856467514439544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132188926677197252005-11-16T19:55:00.000-05:002005-11-16T19:55:00.000-05:00I think one well considered statement then let it...I think one well considered statement then let it go. Some people thrive on stirring the pot, and so long as they can, they will continue to do so, just to see what turns up. One statement acknowledges it, then don't feed the pot stirrers.<BR/><BR/> There are pot stirrers everywhere. They do not exist only on the Internet or in the blogsphere. Tney do not exist only in the publishing world. I do not even believe they always pot stir conciously: sometimes I think it is such an ingrained part of their personality that they don't even realize they are doing it. Pot stirrers are different from cooks in the kitchen: cooks are contributing and putting forth effort... pot stirrers are simply stirring what is already there to see what comes up and how people will react to it...If nothing happens with the first stir, they stir again until something happens... sometimes they have to stir a lot and awfully hard to get what they seek. What they seek is not necessarily improvement in the stew; it is the reaction of the people around the stew.<BR/><BR/> One well thought out and considered statement then leave it alone no matter how hard the pot stirrers stir. After a while, even they will get tired.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132188050085044722005-11-16T19:40:00.000-05:002005-11-16T19:40:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Jennifer Y.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17872094673771046272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132187866813416962005-11-16T19:37:00.000-05:002005-11-16T19:37:00.000-05:00Ignore it.Aside from ignoring it, make some vague ...Ignore it.<BR/><BR/>Aside from ignoring it, make some vague philosophical statement to the effect of:<BR/><BR/>Doing things badly is good for the soul. It keeps us humble and reminds us that we can't be good at everything; it teaches us to value the work for its own sake and not for the praise and adulation in garners, or fails to garner. So, whatever the objective aesthetic value of what I've written, I am entirely unashamed of it; and you have the right to dislike it and make fun of it as much as you want.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16101894465905982286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132186271257115862005-11-16T19:11:00.000-05:002005-11-16T19:11:00.000-05:00If you don't ignore it, maybe something like Janin...If you don't ignore it, maybe something like Janine's response to you (a post saying something like: "I'm glad there's so much discussion about my book, <I>Anacondas of the Northwoods</I>. For those of you who haven't read it yet, here's an excerpt of one of the areas being discussed. I hope you find it interesting enough to get the entire book and decide for yourself.") then pick an excerpt of the book that seems related to the negative discussion (presuming you don't feel it's a warranted negative discussion) and post it on your site.<BR/><BR/>Of course, if you did goof up, a straightforward, "I don't know how I managed to misspell "anacondas" throughout the entire book without catching it anywhere in the publishing process" might suffice.<BR/><BR/>Probably ludicrous, but it seems like a positive way to address it head-on, recognizing some people won't like it anyway, but that's a given.<BR/><BR/>Off to read the other suggestions... and I haven't been following the "venom" discussion, so I may be completely off my rocker--won't be the first time.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01805501348812702651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1132184280718560532005-11-16T18:38:00.000-05:002005-11-16T18:38:00.000-05:00I would just ignore it. People start snitfests to ...I would just ignore it. People start snitfests to get a reaction. Ignoring it takes the motive away.<BR/><BR/>But, a F.A.Q. page/post has some merits, too. Potential readers can glean some extra tidbits, while drama queens participating in a snitfest don't have a way to further that snitfest on the author's site.Heather Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04776293080372126388noreply@blogger.com