[From the Archive] Keeping it Professional Part 2
Amazing how this comes up in rotation on the same day The New York Times insults women and fantasy. BTW… LOTS of women like fantasy. LOTS of women like George R. R. Martin and his books. Thanks for the sweeping generalizations. We appreciate them.
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One of the things about writers is that we are a strange and changeable people. I had an idea where this week’s column was going to go on Monday, then two things happened that changed my mind. Two totally different things happened that reminded me…There’s more to be said on the “Professionalism” topic.
You see, as writers, creative professionals, and artists, we seem to think that everything is ALL. ABOUT. US. Guess what? They’re not! And ready for the next cold slap of the clue-by-four? If said creative person does try to make it ALL. ABOUT. THEM. There will be other writers, creatives, and artists to smack said person with said clue-by-four. No matter how well-meaninged any of the parties involved are, there will be a clue-by-four smackdown. Fact.
The first issue that came up was small. It didn’t set off tidal waves of internet horror. It was a local little thing on an email list I’m one. Someone who’s not the owner of the list, and who has had a history of over-stating a case – at least in my reading, tried to dictate behavior to the rest of the list. It set off my “Snark” button, but I was cool. I didn’t say anything. Other people did, including the list owner. Rule of Thumb, if it’s not your list, community, etc. And if the “problem” seems like with only you or a small majority of those on the group, then deal. Seriously. Deal.
The other one was much worse, and has spread across the internet in waves of “WHAT?” Author Alice Hoffman made the internet news outlets for being a complete twit on Twitter. Roberta Silman apparently wrote a less than glowing review – but not scathing or even all that bad – of Hoffman’s latest book. Hoffman exhorted her Twitter followers to harrass Silman by posting her phone number and email address on her Twitter account. The tirades went on until this was picked up by the news feeds. Then she issued an “non-apology” apology because she had to. Anyone want to guess the likelihood of her getting another book contract or major news outlet review? How about readers? I’ve never read this author and don’t intend to now.
Why? Because bad behavior should not be rewarded. Ever. The “squeaky wheel gets the grease” only works if you have a legitimate claim and you don’t act like a hyena in public. YardDog Press even went so far as to create a “church” (tongue firmly in cheek), called the Church of DBAA – Don’t Be A A**H***. It’s a good concept. One more people need to embrace this. Seriously? If you want to go Biblical… Golden Rule, people. It’s not just for breakfast anymore. That’s not saying everyone’s perfect. We all have our “jerk” moments. We just need to learn to do them out of the public eye. There really *is* such a thing as “bad publicity”. And these things can haunt you. It’s hard enough to be a writer in this world without adding to it by being an idiot.
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You preach it, sister! Nowadays, people seem to have confused real fame–meaning you’re know for actually doing something worthwhile, with notoriety, which can be too easily obtained by being a jerk in public. It’s high time the we start clarifying the differences between the two.