Do you remember essay questions in English at high school?
'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. .. What is the universal appeal in this novel?'
Do you remember doing back flips in rationale trying to explain the universal merits of Jane Austin or Samuel Beckett or William Shakespeare, to your weary English teacher? Do you remember trying to peel back the layers trying to find the nugget of the work, trying to reconcile characters and context with the author's higher purpose? Do you remember connecting or disconnecting with a novel, trying to understand the writer's purpose, appreciate his or her efforts, and forming your own opinion?
Lovely stuff. But we are not all destined to be Austins or Becketts or Shakespeares. Which can be quite a punishing lesson to learn. Is universal appeal something every writer strives for? Or should do? Or are we so caught up in target markets and Amazon rankings and breaking into the erotica fray?
Obviously anyone who decides to become a writer (or an actor? or a singer?) must have a fairly sustained sense of self-worth. Reviews can be glowing, but they can also be bitter. Internet trolls can pop up to ruin your day. Most of us will fall by the wayside with poor sales and mediocre work but will battle on because we really love what we do. Most of us are not trying to ram messages down throats. Few of us - I don't think - have grandiose ideas, and most are well aware of the struggle to stay afloat, in terms of finances and morale.
Last week I was stunned to receive a Facebook message about a blog post I presume, from a bloke I don't know, who must have had a bad day over there where he comes from. I'm not naming names (but beware I have three sons, two brothers and a host of hot-blooded brothers-in-law) but how lame. How funny. How loser.
Who writes this drivel?
We stared at the message, looked at the guy’s face, laughing uneasily. Why bother? Why a message and not public criticism - a lively debate, a much braver thing. Come on mate, put your energy out there and justify those thoughts. If you don't like the female 'drivel' you find here, you know, we don't have a problem with that. Maybe a game male with strident ideas could be a minor thrill in this (I think) intelligent and mostly female arena. Come along! Be welcome! Cast us the first stone! Show us your rocks...
***This does highlight one of the hairier aspects of Internet exposure, doesn't it? The kooks, the creeps out there. This one almost received a virtual battering with a pair of my designer stiletto heels.
'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. .. What is the universal appeal in this novel?'
Do you remember doing back flips in rationale trying to explain the universal merits of Jane Austin or Samuel Beckett or William Shakespeare, to your weary English teacher? Do you remember trying to peel back the layers trying to find the nugget of the work, trying to reconcile characters and context with the author's higher purpose? Do you remember connecting or disconnecting with a novel, trying to understand the writer's purpose, appreciate his or her efforts, and forming your own opinion?
Lovely stuff. But we are not all destined to be Austins or Becketts or Shakespeares. Which can be quite a punishing lesson to learn. Is universal appeal something every writer strives for? Or should do? Or are we so caught up in target markets and Amazon rankings and breaking into the erotica fray?
Obviously anyone who decides to become a writer (or an actor? or a singer?) must have a fairly sustained sense of self-worth. Reviews can be glowing, but they can also be bitter. Internet trolls can pop up to ruin your day. Most of us will fall by the wayside with poor sales and mediocre work but will battle on because we really love what we do. Most of us are not trying to ram messages down throats. Few of us - I don't think - have grandiose ideas, and most are well aware of the struggle to stay afloat, in terms of finances and morale.
Last week I was stunned to receive a Facebook message about a blog post I presume, from a bloke I don't know, who must have had a bad day over there where he comes from. I'm not naming names (but beware I have three sons, two brothers and a host of hot-blooded brothers-in-law) but how lame. How funny. How loser.
Who writes this drivel?
We stared at the message, looked at the guy’s face, laughing uneasily. Why bother? Why a message and not public criticism - a lively debate, a much braver thing. Come on mate, put your energy out there and justify those thoughts. If you don't like the female 'drivel' you find here, you know, we don't have a problem with that. Maybe a game male with strident ideas could be a minor thrill in this (I think) intelligent and mostly female arena. Come along! Be welcome! Cast us the first stone! Show us your rocks...
***This does highlight one of the hairier aspects of Internet exposure, doesn't it? The kooks, the creeps out there. This one almost received a virtual battering with a pair of my designer stiletto heels.
The threat of those heels should be enough to keep him away! I think you have to accept that there are some people who live under rocks that come out and throw stones occasionally as they've nothing better to do with their miserable lives.
ReplyDeleteYes it's weird, isn't it. But inevitable I guess. And the Internet can be a great sleazy mask for some. I was a little troubled, but my fourteen-year-old assured me he would 'take care of things'. Maybe I tell my kids too much!!
DeleteHiding behind their keyboard with their feeble minds - unlikely to muster any support from anyone. So - problem sorted by the sounds of it - nothing like a protective kid in the house :) x
DeleteTall and rangy and growing by the minute! Xx
DeleteI'm lucky to have had very few trolls, so far, but when I do, it always stings... I'm doing my best to be entertaining and/or help people, why the need to fling poo?
ReplyDeleteI guess it's the best trolls can do.
Thanks for dropping by Beverly. Yes it's nasty and lowdown, probably requires a special type of brain wiring to even want to do it. In some way it feels quite personal. And icky. (Not even a word I normally use!) Ciao cat
DeleteMaybe he thought he was doing you a favor by telling you over a private medium instead of posting a review on Amazon? Still strange. People are entitled to their opinions, even if those opinions are ones that don't like our work, but no one is entitled to be that rude.
ReplyDeleteGreat job turning the other cheek and not engaging. That's what trolls want us to do, and we foil them by ignoring them.
Well in the beginning I even thought it was a twisted come-on!
DeleteI'm fine with critical reviews - as authors we must stand up and face the music. And though if I review I always try to find something positive to say even if I don't love the work, I understand that some people just enjoy tearing things to bits.
But this wasn't even that - it was just snide, smug. And silly.
Are those SERIOUSLY your shoes? Wow. I am in utter awe.
ReplyDeleteAs for the idiot, what more is there to say? They exist to instigate. Best to let them be.
Well yes MSB I'm that type of girl. Just joking! You didn't know I had a shoe thang? I'm just waiting for the mud to harden so I can wear them a few more times before the heat begins...
DeleteIt's disappointing really that people can't be respectful about other people. You don't have to like everyone, you don't have to agree with everything, but you can respect people can't you. I really just don't get it ... what more can one say?
ReplyDeleteOh yes respect for another's craft. The funny thing is that the gent in question works in the arts! Makes me think he'd probably been on the receiving end of some tough criticism himself. In Italian you say 'sfogarsi' - he just had to let it all hang out I guess.
DeleteThank goodness for the lovely delete button, eh, Catherine? I'm beyond the age where I feel the need to listen to men telling me how superior they are. Gone in the click of a button. : )
ReplyDeleteOh yes GONE BABY GONE. He was very quickly deleted. But the superiority thing - don't they ever tire of it? Poor things they put themselves under so much pressure..
DeleteI have had a couple of mean spirited comments. Some I have taken the time to answer and others have simply been deleted. Obviously some people have such miserable lives they wish to make other people miserable too...don't let them win.
ReplyDeleteYes I think that's the idea - delete delete. I was initially tempted to answer but thought that would be giving him the attention he craved. No you can't let them win. It's hard enough keeping a blog or your writing efforts alive rather than dilute your energy on miserable souls.
DeleteDelete delete delete.
DeleteI am eternally grateful that my blog is set to vet first time commenters - even if occasionally it catches out a welcome repeat visitor. It's kept a few trolls out of the limelight they crave.
Yes I guess I'm learning..
DeleteYou're probably going to be surprised by my reaction Catherine but my first thought was, 'wow you're doing something really right, keep doing it.' of course Il'm talking about your writing here on your blog. Although I'm still not sure his words were even meant to be taken literarily. I have visions of this guy blog-hopping and simply cutting and pasting this lame line everywhere he goes. But anytime you have the courage to put yourself out there, to write boldly and throw provocative, interesting topics out there, you will occasionally stir some heated reaction. It's a sign that your writing pushes buttons and generates emotion which is what every great writer does. Forget the insecure little man behind the line and consider it confirmation. Hold your head up high because you my friend are the real deal. A writer. And I can't wait to visit here because I love reading your stuff. Hmmm...I guess one man's drivel is another woman's inspiration haha..
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Leslie (Gwen Moss)
Well in the words of the great vamp Mae West, It's better to be looked over than overlooked.. I think I subscribe to that. And yes this smug man's meanness became quite inspiring, representing as he does such a cheap and witless form.
DeleteGrazie for your kind words Leslie. I do so much enjoy the blog comments and as you can see you are all a wise and savvy bunch. Xxxcat
It's the unease that comes with these creeps that I find most horrible. And yes Icky is the perfect word x
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Cat. Not good. Not nice. I cannot understand 'trolling'. Despicable stuff.
ReplyDeleteBut yes - how you brought it all back! The trying to please your English teacher stuff. The 'universal appeal' analysed until it was very unappealing...
I admire and appreciate anyone who can write and get paid for it. Doesn't mean I necessarily like their style, mind. But they must be doing something 'right'.