I'm not going to dwell on this topic but I felt the need to bring it up.
I was on Cassie Mae's blog, Reading, Writing and Lovin' It, and read her recent post Blogger vs. Author.
She talks about a comment that someone left her (you can read the comment under the post I Inspire Someone??) that says, among other things, that she is too open and unprofessional to ever be taken seriously as an author.
You can tell, it hurt her feelings.
After reading her post I went back to read the comment and noticed it was anonymous. That smelled troll-y to me right there. There were also two other anonymous comments.
Personally I think they, although it may actually be only one entity, were spammers.
I left Cassie my own comment but then I also personally emailed her to let her know my opinion.
Professionals, that's what they were purporting to be, don't leave anonymous nasty comments on blog posts.
Too make a long story short, too late ... I believe they were purposely trying to start a fight with Cassie and/or with her followers. I think that's what they do. They crave controversy and try to get it by trolling and spamming wherever they can.
The
amount of support that Cassie received telling her not to change a
thing about herself or her blog was staggering and wonderful. You can tell how well liked she really is. Hopefully
the trolls will go away but will likely just move on to another blog.
My point? Well, my point is just this...don't engage.
If they find you and leave nasty comments on your blog, remember this, we have the power to completely ignore them. That is really the only and best defense. Deleting the comments or responding to them will only give them exactly what they want.
Just my two cents.
So, it's noon in NY and it just hit 90 degrees.
How's it in your neck of the woods?
I told her not to change her style. Didn't know the comment was anonymous. That negates its validity.
ReplyDeleteyou know you're famous when you get haters!
ReplyDeleteI started blogging for very personal reasons which had nothing at all to do with being an author. Naturally, there will be those who will want to impose their two cents onto others or perhaps just stir the pot because they can. And yes, we can ignore them, but it can hurt just the same when someone says something hateful. The fact that the comments were left anonymously says a whole lot more about the person or people who left them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for supporting her. The first comment did a really good job of making themselves look legit. They even put a first name and called themselves an agent. I'm glad everyone let her know how much they love her and told her to stay true to herself. And you are SO right on with your assessment of who and what these people are.
ReplyDeleteI plan on doing exactly like you said. If they ever find their way to my blog, ignore them and not give them the satisfaction. At least I'm ready for them now. (If I ever get famous enough to garner their interest. LOL.)
I went and read the post and comments. I don't know why they're there but it's really sad. Why would anyone write that stuff? Well, I'm glad you were behind her.
ReplyDeleteReal hot and muggy. Welcome to summer in sc.You're right in that everyone needs to ignore them. Pretty bad when they can't even put their own name.
ReplyDeleteHearing about stuff like that makes me want to turn off the "anonymous" comments. It is usually spammers who use it, at least on my blog, but I leave it up in case someone can't log on to their account or something and really, really wants to leave me a comment. :D
ReplyDeleteMakes me mad that someone had to go out of their way to make someone else feel bad. I hope your gnome kicked some troll ass. :)
I have not had this problem to date, but I would delete certain comments rather than let then get to me.... But my blog is such it would be difficult to insult me or start any sort of split with followers,
ReplyDeleteLike I always tell my kids...consider the source. If the source is anonymous, well, there you go! :)
ReplyDeleteIf she is a popular blogger then it may well be some other jealous blogger who saw an opportunity to vent his/her frustrations. I don't like anonymous posters because 9 out of 10 times they are negative replies.
ReplyDeleteI can live with a negative response, but be an adult about it and let me know who you are. Right?
Trolls are all over the net and are on an equal par as the proverbial spammer: worthless.
Alex – I know. Its so sad that some people feel they have to tear others down.
ReplyDeleteTara – I need me some haters!
Wendy – I agree, wholeheartedly!
Jenny – As I said to Cassie, us blogging chicks have to stick together! Thank you!
Clarissa – Some people just have too much time on their hands I guess.
Donna – It is certainly hot again today! This weekend should be better.
L.G. – I hear you. Makes you want to wish them into a pit of lava. : )
Rob Z. – It’s true. We have to let it hurt us. Sometimes it just does.
DL – Exactly! I remember hearing that from my parents too!
Jeremy – Worthless is the perfect word.
Thanks for coming by everyone! Stay cool!
Heather
What creeps! You are a great friend for sticking up for her. I can just imagine how unpleasant that would have been. People can be really terrible sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they were necessarily spammers--at least not in the traditional sense of the illogical spam I usually see. Their comments had relevance to the post and topic, they had continuity and logic, and the advice could conceivably construed as good advice in certain quarters.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been nice to have more information as to the actual source of the comments--I did see names and not just "anonymous". A point of reference such as "so and so author rep at such and such agency" would have added import and credibility.
Actually, I wouldn't mind getting such a detailed critique comment as those were. I didn't see them as malicious, but only as expressing opinion about how one should conduct their blogging activity. They were just offering their opinions and not citing any law of author success.
That's the way I see it at least. (Attention all agents: Come check out my site!). :)
Lee
Tossing It Out
Shame she had her feelings hurt like that :( I have had comments similar on my blog. I just delete them. Everyone has internet muscles and they need to be flexed. Ignore the meatheads and you'll be fine!
ReplyDeleteYour words here are spot on. Cassie Mae had a great blog. She may want to think about not allowing anonymous comments. A quick and most likely permanent fix to keep the trolls away.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is also pretty open, voice wise. And while you will most likely catch a glimpse of Tiki Hut Carol in my novels, Author Carol wears a different hat. For the most part. Blogs are designed to engage readers on a personal level. Cassie Mae does that. Hands down.
Murees - Yes, they can. But ignoring them is the best way to deal with them.
ReplyDeleteLee - I'm sorry. I have to respectfully disagree with you.
randi lee - That's the truth.
Thanks for your comments.
Heather
Carol - Thank you! I'm also very open and honest. I don't know of any other way to be.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of Carrie Fisher, This is it, one side fits all!
Heather
WOW! Just...wow. It's like someone coming along, rifling through your nightstand, reading your diary then telling you you wrote about all the wrong things. They fall into that mean girls category of human trash who feel so underwhelmed by their own lives, the only way to feel better about themselves is to unjustly criticize another who is proud & confident in their own skin. To call them a troll is being too kind. They're the slimy puss oozing from the ugly wart on the troll's ass. Disgusting! Stormy could kick their butts with his hat pulled down over his face.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather,
ReplyDeleteI do so hope you remember me and that my comment is up to my usual um 'much loved', 'eagerly anticipated' and 'award winning' standards :) Did I ever mention I was shy and modest?
It is unfortunate and rather hurtful that someone would leave a disrespectful and generalised statement on your friend Cassie's blog. Personally, if I ever had such a comment on my little known blog, it wouldn't be of much concern. I have a banter that would turn such a comment into something positive, which would confuse the heck out of them.
Oh yes, we were so hoping that the lovable Stormy might pass on congratulations to Fidelina the beautiful fairy princess and Geoffrey the garden gnome, on the second anniversary of their marriage :)
Take care and happy writing to you, to all your blogging friends and to Cassie.
In kindness, Gary
Well said! I left a comment on Cassie's too. it's too bad, but I hope she feels the support from her multitude of loyal followers. I've been lucky enough to not get any nasty comments yet, but I like your response. Stormy is a fighter. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I can't believe it took me this long to find this post. I have to say thank you a thousand times over, and to everyone who slapped some sense into me, and also to these wonderful people who have commented here.
ReplyDeleteI have deleted the most painful comments that were made, insulting my intelligence and attacking my personal life. Though the first comments that were made sounded legit (the ones I'm sure Lee is referring to) after seeing the ones made after, I had to agree with everyone who said they were spammers trying to get a rise. I'm sorry that I gave it to them, but on the other end of the spectrum, they did something for me I did not expect, and that was show me exactly how much of an impact I've had in the blogging community. It's still mind boggling.
I've chalked this up to experience, let it go, and will continue to be my jolly old self on my blog. Using the lingo I use all the time no matter how juvenile it sounds, and talking about the things I do no matter how 'unprofessional' it comes out. It's who I am, and I'm sad to say it took a few spammers, and a crapload of supporters to make me realize it. :)
Thanks again, friend. :D
Nancy – Mean girls is a great description. What I really want to know is, do you know how to get rid of the wart on the troll’s ass because that is really awful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteklahanie – How sweet of you to return! Playing footsie with trolls is always fun if one is up for it but it takes patience and I’m not sure I have it any longer.
Thanks for your comments!
Michael – Thank you! I think she might be feeling the love now.
Cassie Mae – I’m so glad you came through this the better person! It can take a real toll on some people especially if they don’t have or didn’t think they needed thick skin. You have had a great impact and I hope you continue to do so.
Have a great day.
Thanks everyone for your comments and support.
Heather