Whop knew saying one simple comment would invovle such backlash?
Yesterday I recieved this message;
"Hey <3
Please check out my latest story - The Camera Never Lies. As a new writer I’d love to hear your opinion and critique on it. You can find it, vote and comment at...
http://www.wattpad.com/1240627-the-camera-never-lies-prologue
It’d mean so much to me! It is thanks to positive criticism that my first story – In the World of Women rose to the What’s Hot list in less than 2 days! The readers are everything and I’d LOVE your support.
Thank you (K)
grace aka destined4leprechauns xo
ps. happy to return the favour – just scribble me a message ;-)"
So I replied;
"@destined4leprechauns Hi. If you are new than you won't probably no this, but, it is rude to post links to your story on other peoples profiles. I will look at your story just be aware others might not be so forgiving.
I am happy to give feedback for others and I do like getting feedback on my stories too, like any good writer should.
Welcome to Wattpad!"
So all was well. ....Or so I thought;
"Grace can advertise her work wherever she wants: a lot of writers on the site do in case you haven't noticed. Its only considered rude if the owner of the profile asks everyone not to advertise there! How else are you gonna get your work noticed?! Maybe if you tried it you'd have more fans/feedback on your work, then again your work would actually have to be worth some merit to achieve that."
(name has been removed for privacy)
This was out of the blue for me. I mean half the things this girl said were definatley not true. So I replied as politely as I could;
firstly, how did you come across this? secondly, a writers profile is for communication with fans etc. and it is rude it you post your story, where authors themselves are trying to be read. thirdly, there are other ways of getting reads, such as the clubs/forums, which has a "share your story club". It is not that hard. I find it quite rude what you have said and if you post again I will block you."
Thankfully Zwerple came to my defence;
seriously? lay off pranxtor, she had every right to say that. it's her profile, not urs. and by the way, before u diss her writing, try posting some work that is actually 'worth some merit'
Then I was hit hard;
"I came across this when Grace was asking me last night what I thought about advertising on people's profile and she seemed genuinely upset. I found the full story out upon grilling her.Secondly, it is not rude unless owners of the said profiles pecifically mention that they do not wish to receive requests on their profiles - and most who find that that is their opinion usually mention this somewhere on their page i.e their About Me section. All you need to put is a little note. If then, it is ignored -yes that is rude.Otherwise, like Grace a lot of writers advertise their work and most people either ignore and respond to it -and its normally not a hassle for a lot of people.Thirdly the 'Share your Story' club is filled with writers (like Grace) trying to get their work noticed. While, the intention behind the club is great, it doesn't always work because most people in the club are writers and don't have time to look at all the posts there - therby a lot of fantastic work gets unnoticed. This site is full of the same old teen romance/incest stories/ supernatural (mainly vampire and werewolf) stories - and that's great because that's what the teen audience on this site want but it does mean some awesome work gets completley overlooked for some poorly written overhyped sex scene.Therefore, it IS hard for someone like Grace. She may be too kind not to say anything to you but she has been helping me a great deal - even though she barely knows me and I'm not going to let such a kind and talented writer get put down by someone as narrow minded as you. Oh, if you haven't pieced it together yet, I'm very happy to be blocked by someone who clearly can't handle the truth. "
What was going on? I never recall saying anything rude. I even said welcome to Wattpad! I read her story! Thankfully Zwerple is a close friend;
"rl007this will be my last post about this on here as i think it is rude to clog up peoples message board, but there are somethings that must be pressed into that stubborn brain of yours. firstly, I have actually read graces story, and though the subject is not my taste, she is a very good writter. (by the way, u don't need to put quotes on your words:)
secondly, no-one was put down. look at pranxtors first message. it is nothing but polite and understanding. then u start attacking her. so seriously, lay off pranxtor.
oh and just something else i wanted to add, i am a new writer on here by the way, and i haven't gone around cluttering up peoples message boards, because i really couldn't care less. my story will either get read or it wont."
I replied, shocked at the messages;
@zwerple. You are completely correct. All I said was that I would read her story, but politely urged her to not post on others profiles. I agree @bondgirl007 That Grace is a talanted writer. I did actually read it. If I can recall I actually voted. I understand why you are standing up for Grace but I wasn't bullying her in the first place. I had no intention of hurting her or her feelings.
And that was it. I have heard nothing else. Yet. If I had known that was going to happen I would have not put a comment in at all. i honetly never meant to hurt anyone.
However eventful it was I managed to make a cover for Zwerple for her story The Library. I drew a chibi picture(right). Ate leftovers for dinner and enjoyed my first evening of school holidays.
Pranxtor ^-^
