the long way home [ h.s. ]

Important Message

Hi everyone, I'm sorry to update something like this, but I've received some disturbing comments recently and I need to communicate with my readers about it.

If you're one of the majority who leave me beautiful, heart-filled words, don't worry. This doesn't apply to you.

But for the minority of others, please take this message into consideration.

If you don't like this book, don't read it. Don't leave snide comments thinking I won't see them. I may be done writing the long way home, but I still read every single comment you guys write and some of them have really shocked me.

Here's what I don't think is very fair --

This book isn't some thoughtless, smut-filled, dominant/rude/jealous/possessive Harry bullshit. I don't think he's like that at all, and I'm very confused as to why some people treat him like an animal when it comes to writing popular Wattpad fanfics. One of the reasons I made this story about him was to show the side of him I don't often see portrayed: the deep, kind, loving, understanding, gentle creature he is.

I went through a very traumatic experience that I haven't entirely healed from. I poured all of it into this book. (There's no need to worry about me, but it's important that if you're a reader, you know how much this means to me). What I'm trying to make very clear is that I don't write to be popular, or worth millions of reads. I write because I am passionate about love and life, and it means everything to me being able to open my wounds and just maybe help someone else.

This book is meant to HELP OTHERS WHO ARE HURTING.

And that's why I think it's unfair of people who 1) aren't committed to this story or 2) don't take it seriously to leave comments that not only disrespect me, but potentially disrespect other readers.

Do not, under any circumstances, disrespect your fellow readers. You don't know them personally. Some of them have been through far worse than I, and it absolutely SICKENS me thinking that there are individuals who leave thoughtless comments at the emotional expense of others.

I have sacrificed SO much time to write this book. It enabled me to find strength again after I'd been ripped apart.

When you leave me backhanded, passive aggressive, or insensitive comments you are directly telling me that you don't give a fuck about what the (heavy) theme of this story means, or what I went through to produce it.

And let me point this out, too -- it wouldn't even matter if I had a personal connection or not. WHEN YOU COMMENT, YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE LEAVING THAT COMMENT FOR THE AUTHOR TO SEE. I don't understand why some people have this sense of entitlement, and are completely clueless, as if I won't get notified of what you said.

I do.

I see everything.

If you have an issue, don't address me like it's my job to serve you and fix whatever you don't like. Wattpad is full of stories, pick another one to read and leave mine alone. It's as simple as that.

I'm very sorry to those of you who have been so faithful to me, and supportive, who had to read this and see how frustrated I am. I love you guys. And the amount of kindness you show me is so much stronger than any insensitive comment.

But I wanted to publish a statement for those other readers, because I've been writing for four years and have NEVER missed a comment. I have seen all of the good, AND all of the bad.

I can't control what anyone does.

But if this message applies to you, please rethink how your words are affecting me and other people who are trying to enjoy my work.

-Sophie