Nasty is Here to Stay

It's been a long time since I wrote a new blog. Life got in the way of work, which got in the way of everything.
I was on the road the entire month of July, first for a vacation, which I spent most of my time working on a new book- so, so much for a real vacation. Then I hit the Philly Qfest which was both exhilarating and stressful at the same time, not to mention the heat and humidity were awful, even the locals were moaning.

But Capital Games was well received and the audience seemed to enjoy a gay romance that didn't end in a homicide, suicide, beating, or AIDS death. Yeah, there are too many like that, and there were so many at the festival, I kept being told my film was like a breath of fresh air compared to all the depressing crap they were showing.

Then I hit Ft Lauderdale and again showed the film to a very wonderful group at the Pride Center who seemed to have a laugh and enjoyed the lighthearted theme. It is funny. For anyone who reads my work, CG is tongue in cheek all the way. So, it will make you laugh, believe me.

Back home, working, it's as if reality has set in once more. I am playing catch up, trying to re-release the last 6 novels owned by a publisher and get them up and running, and of course, continue to write. To say I am exhausted and spent is an understatement. Any of you Indie authors, (ah-hum Patricia Logan) knows damn well how tough it is to go out on one's own to do....well, everything. Yes, publishing your own has its perks, but try it sometime. Try doing everything involved in publishing; cover design, format, edit, links, uploads, et al, and then if you have a second, promotion. Indeed the hardest part. The review sites don't even consider Indie authors any longer, and getting even a showing on any best seller list is quite the feat.

Yet even though there are many of us Indie's around now, the Nasties are around as well. I am stunned how many mean- no, downright horrific people there are in this world. (After being in St Petersburg a few weeks ago, I am glad I didn't buy a fucking thing! Fuck you, Russia!) What I am seeing on the news and on Facebook is making me so ill, I don't know what to do. I never buy a Russian product so all I can do is sign petitions and hope governments and the powers that be, do the right damn thing.

Nastiness comes in so many forms. I continued to be bullied even as an adult. Yes, I do. Why? Mean people. Insecure people, who hate me for who I am, or the fact that I have worked very hard to get my books published. Or? Why? You tell me? I have been picked on since elementary school, and believe me, if you pick on me to my face, I will get 'nasty' back. But it's a sad game.

Nasty is easy for so many. Beating up defenseless people in gangs of thugs? Ganging up on one person, forming a little hate group to do it? Does that make you great? Feel powerful and smart? Abusing the same person year after year simply because you can. Your anonymity on the 'net allows you? So...you can and do act like an ass?

Hate. Hate is so easy. I have encountered so much of it. We all have.
I have been the victim of felony theft, embezzling, slander, coercion, blackmail, all from people I trusted, was kind to, and never expected to be chum in a pool of sharks.

Wanna know what happened? Read my books. Oh, yes, all the haters are in there. Indeed. Do I slag people off on the 'net? Name them publicly? Go after them via email and tell the world what they are doing? No. I don't join the hate club. The Nasty-ones. I can't.

Love, kindness and understanding is the only answer in my head. But fight back. Yes, if you can. Don't allow bullies and nasties to win. But don't sink to their level. Win by succeeding. They hate that.

Work hard, turn the other cheek, and don't spread hate. It's like cancer, and needs to be dealt with like a disease. And though you want to, you can't shoot and kill a disease.

Back at work....trying my best as all of you other Indie authors are...
Before you haters spit your venom, think. Do you really need to say that? Do you need to add to the meanness around us? Isn't there enough nightmares in the world already?

Be careful out there.
It's a jungle.