Writing is Not a Competitive Sport

I don't know where to begin on this one.

But it's the same old song, over and over.

I suppose it can be compared to the media's extreme reporting of right and left wing mentality, or of political candidates telling lies.
The fact is; you can never stop some things. I learned this the hard way. There will always be that evil lurking, the full-time insecure individuals, who do nothing but think life is some sort of competition, and the one who wins, gets what? A throne and a crown?

My first book was published in 2003. I have been in this 'business' a very long time. I have seen over a decade of changes, some good, most not so good.


One thing I cannot get my head wrapped around is how authors set up 'sock puppets' and anonymous profiles, simply to 'think' they are damaging a competitor. Let me tell you, my jealous troll, you aren't. No longer are readers ignorant to the tactics. The one star review without a verified purchase, the reporting of up and coming author's books, the smearing on secret sites. Ladies and Gentleman, we are aware.

All you are doing is pissing into the wind, AND, helping give publicity to the author you are so terrified of.

But when did this become some morbid competition??

That's where my confusion lies. When I began writing, oh, so long ago! We all helped each other. I was happy to put short stories into my novels for authors who struggled to get published, I was thrilled to be here to answer questions as to -how to- do anything- anything about publishing at all.

I still get queries about police procedure and self-publishing.
When did it become a competition?

Do you realize how many books readers read??? A good friend of mine has nearly 1000 books on his wish list. A THOUSAND.

I'm sorry, fellow authors, that's enough sales for all of us. I can't believe after twelve years of writing, I have the impulse to write a blog like this, again.

I simply will never understand it. I don't understand the scams of fake reviews, I don't understand giving a book a lousy review, one you have obviously not even read, and I most certainly do not understand banning a book cover off a social site, that isn't even lewd. All simply to stop an author from doing what they love, writing and publishing their work. Don't get me started on illegal downloads and the toll that is taking on many of us.

When did this industry dissolve into hatred and jealousy? I look back over the years and yes, I do see when things changed. It was like hitting a truck face on. But, there is nothing we can do but help each other. We will NEVER stop the trolls from their playfully jerking off to their one star reviews, we will never stop jealousy from trolls hitting the 'ban/report' button when a good author is about to release a book.

But good things do rise from the ashes.
We see who the authors are that are part of our COMMUNITY. Yes, our group of compassionate people, who know, THERE ARE ENOUGH READERS FOR EVERYONE. Good lord.


I know, like a few others who have recently been hit, we'll never stop it. But it's mattering less and less. We get reported? Dozens of people rise to our defense and post for us; we get nailed with a shitty troll review? Our true fans come out and tell the world, they are wrong.

A year ago, I thought there was no hope, nothing made sense to me any longer. But as life goes on, we learn.
I have learned after nearly two decades of writing, and thirteen of published writing, that shit happens. And that shit is called a troll. We can't stop them, but we can help each other when they smear their shite.

If you write only to be the first one on a list, then you aren't doing it from the heart. Some of us write because we must. Our love of the word, the story, making new ideas fun, and trying to teach, love is love...that, my dear readers, is an author.

Be safe out there-
It's a jungle.