Writers! (not really a rant, but... yeah)

[ostarella]

I've been involved in a "discussion" on a writers' forum regarding contests. And it's similar in vein to a couple other discussions I've gotten into there and other places. And it's really quite dis-illusioning.

For many, many years I've looked on authors as somehow being more... open-minded. More willing to look at things from different POVs and think about stuff. Almost an ethereal type of thing, because, you know - they're creative people.

I'm quickly learning, after having "spoken" with published authors on these forums, that I was being very Polly-Anna-ish.

Authors, and seemingly especially those who are published and successful, are some of the most bombastic, rude, egotistical, double-talking bunch of morons you could assemble in one room.

Not all of them. But depending on which area of writing one is discussing, they can be so sure they're right that no matter what sort of logic you toss at them, they will ignore it and repeat what they've already stated. And no matter how many times these same people say "What works for one won't work for another" and "There are no rules!" - if you don't agree with their opinion, they will then try to disparage you (not your opinion, but you as a person) as being ill-informed or 'wet behind the ears'. How dare someone question anyone who has been writing for decades and (GASP) published?!?!

Like, having a kidlit published will make you God...

So yeah, I don't post much on those any more. Having basically been told that I can't research things because I'm not published, that I can't have valid opinions because I haven't been writing for decades, and that I can't ask writing-related questions because someone might get offended - yeah, I don't need whatever these people are peddling. There are other forums that are much less concerned with egos and more with actual writing stuff and I'm sticking with those.

Gawd...

Comments

[theninth.livejournal.com]

Eek!

If it helps, there are a lot of writers right here on LJ that are kind, funny, helpful, supportive, and encouraging?

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know there are nice people in the writing community. I know quite a few of them ;-) I was just feeling very disillusioned and angry that this particular bunch were so... arrogant. And particularly when they say things that new writers take as the Gospel, just because of who these authors are (ie, published). They never include any caveat that "this has been my experience (ie, anecdotal evidence)" or "this is just my opinion". And sometimes, as in the case of contests, many were speaking out vehemently against them and they had never, ever researched them. But they are 'all-knowing'. Such bullshit. And that's what got me all riled up today.

I should just stay away but it's like some other forums - it's an interesting discussion and I'd like to be in on it. Typically a mistake...

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

You do find them ;-P

Ah, well. There are always some in whatever profession I suppose.

The authors I'm following on Twitter actually look/seem normal i.e. human :-P

It's probably the person, rather than that they are a writer... whatever profession they were likely to have their head stuck up their own arse.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Well, this seems to be a group of them - though it is funny when they disagree with each other LOL

[beckyblack]

Twitter is way more light hearted than most places. Maybe cos you can't really go off on one and rant properly in 140 characters. :D

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

No, I even find that hard :-P

[beckyblack]

You can have a sort of burst of annoyance, but that's about it. :D

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Oh, well, that wouldn't work for me at all! LOL

[beckyblack]

Authors, and seemingly especially those who are published and successful, are some of the most bombastic, rude, egotistical, double-talking bunch of morons you could assemble in one room.

If I turn into one of these please slap me.

I hate the one true way crap. You'll only be good or succesful if you do X, Y & Z. Weird thing is, I see exactly the same thing on my Low Carber's forum. Some people insist that if it's not Atkins it's not real low carbing. Or if it's not a particular version of Atkins it's not even Atkins. And that if you haven't lost X amount of weight why should we listen to you? etc.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

If I turn into one of these please slap me.

That'll happen about the time pigs fly...

I hate the one true way crap.

Oh yeah. And esp after spouting this "what works for one..." stuff. Just words.

I actually could put up with it better if they weren't so condescending about it. One fella, in response to something I said, mentioned sarcastically how "the young always knew better" - shut him up good when I told him how old I was and thus what a stupid remark that was.

Gawd...