How To… deal with online assholes

*Pardon my language on this one guys, but I really can’t find another word for these people! If it’s upsets you, just don’t read it.*

Most of us have been visit by an online asshole at least once. These are people who scout the blogosphere to find people they can leave a nasty comment to wreck their day. Yes, I know, we should ignore them. But I can’t. Because they are harassing people I care for as well. So I think that it’s best to give them something to chew on. Just one little bone. It makes me feel better!  🙂

Anyway, back to the assholes. I don’t have a clue what’s wrong with these people. Maybe they are unhappy with their own lives? Maybe they just want attention? I really don’t know.

And I don’t want to know either because people like that, I don’t want to have around.

What I do know is how to deal with them. I have dealt with my fair share of bullies and they piss me off.

If you don’t have a life, get one! If you are not happy, do something about it! But don’t come to other people’s blogs just to say something stupid or hurtful. Or make a dumb post about something you don’t know anything about. Yes, I have a good memory and I am not that forgiving either.

Okay, here we go. First example. Let’s say you open your mailbox and find a message like this:

The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention. realizzazione siti web http://www.web-station.it/

Not very nice huh? Now, of course a messages like this will sting a bit. After all, as a writer, you put your heart and soul into your work. Especially bloggers. Most of us tell our story here that we never told anywhere else. And most of the time, that’s just the top of the iceberg.

It’s not that great to be judge on something like that.

But, we are not going to cry about it or let us get down. We will just write a polite reply message:

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! Do you make a habit of visiting people’s blog just to judge them while you know absolutely nothing about them? You must be so proud of yourself! I would applaud you, but I am actually way too busy typing disappointing whining for my blog. Hope you have a wonderful day! Patty

Of course I checked out the site at the bottom of the comment. Turns out, it’s a business site, and this asshole had used their site to write this comment. Well, over a coward like that I am sure as hell not going to lose sleep! I did send an email to the owner of this site to let him know where his site was being used for. I mean, I would want to know that as well!

And another thing, noticed the poor writing in that comment? English is not even my first language, but I can write it better than this prick! How can you take someone like that serious?

You can’t. And you shouldn’t.

Another example. I have permission of a friend of mine to use this ‘review’ on her book in this How To.

Has anyone heard of sexual harassment? Worse excuse for a book that I’ve seen in a long long time. Don’t waste your time as I just did and I skipped a lot of the very worse parts.

Now that isn’t very nice! And not much of a review either. Did this person even read the book? Because I have and I don’t recognize this book in these words. So, I decided to leave a little comment myself:

Did you even read the book? Because I did and I don’t recognize any of the things you say. I was very surprised to read your words because I really enjoyed reading this book. The story is good, the characters are appealing and it reads very smooth. I can’t wait to read the sequel! But hey, everyone has a right to their own opinion. Even if it’s based on nothing at all…

My point is, don’t get too upset over a lousy review or a nasty comment. These people are really not worth to feel down about. As a writer, you have to develop a thick skin.

There will always be people who will judge you based on their own narrow thoughts or their disability to create something themselves. Or maybe even on nothing at all. Just let them. They are just sad, lonely creatures who seek a bit of attention. So throw them a bone and go on with the important stuff! 🙂

Don’t let anyone ever judge you. They don’t know you and haven’t fought your battles.

You are worth it!

Lots of love,

Patty