If you can't say anything nice...

"Come sit by me," says Clairee Blecher (played by Olympia Dukakis) in STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

Of course it can be fun to sit and gossip. Yes, I've been known to do it myself, but I doubt the southern lady Clairee would approve of making those comments outloud so that others could hear them. And in this electronic age, our ability to be outloud includes writing, posting and commenting on blogs.

I didn't attend this years Romantic Times (RT) convention, but I havent been able to avoid some of the controversy that happened during and after. Blogs abound, but more... the comments to the blog go on for pages. Some nasty stones are being thrown and some good people are getting hurt.

It seems to me that some blogs can be like the tabloids. Uncensored, they comment on the the big racy/juicy/newsy stuff as if these were big, bold headlines, and if they have to "print" a retraction, that part is done smaller and more hidden. Not that it matters - the damage is done. Tempers have be raised, things have been written in the heat of the moment, feelings have been bruised.

And perhaps worse than feelings, which heal, sometimes reputations are hurt, which takes longer. Things posted on the internet can last a long time. Blogs are searchable by friends, family, fans, as well as future editors and agents. A lot of folks use screen names to hide their identity - or the names of others (there is a poster who uses Nora Robert's name and I have come to doubt that this is the famous author). I dont blame them, but I have noticed that those are the folks who make some of the most scathing comments. While the posters authority is questionable (due to the anonimity), it doesnt seem to make their comments sting less.

If there is a reason to make a public opinion of something known, I agree it should be written. There are many writers (and reporters, politicians, and humorists) whose thoughts I appreciate. It's those who talk/write to hurt or condemn for the sake of doing it that concern me. If my future fans want to know my take on something, I'll put it in a newsletter to them directly. Not somewhere more public where it can start the rumor mill running or be misrepresented.

Just like positive events aren't what leads on the evening news, positive blogs aren't the ones that get 100+ comments on a single post, hundreds of hits, and related posts on other blogs. But I'm going to hold out for the ones that do and post my comments there.

Then again - I also hope that one day we'll see the cable channel ONN - Optomist News Network, which will report on how many planes landed safely, how many kids are snug in their beds well rested and fed, how many people fell in love, and how great it is that tomorrow is a new day waiting to be filled by our positive choices.

No wonder I write books with happily ever after endings.

Optomistically yours,
Rowan

On the Same Page

Since I'd never been to RT before, I didn't have a lot of preconceived ideas. Oh, I'd been told about the cover models and the parties, the costumes and the rabid readers. The reality was much more fun than I'd imagined it would be, but I did learn quite a bit.

What To Do At RT:

Stand Up and Be Noticed. Don't sit in your chair at the signings and expect people to come to you. Get up and talk to whovever walks by. Stick your hand out and say hi.

Talk To Your Fellow Writers. My flanking partners at the ebook signing, Samantha Kane and Cat Johnson, are two of the nicest people I met all week. They answered any questions I had and generally made me less of a nervous wreck.

Dress The Part. I'm usually a jeans and t-shirt person, but when you're presenting yourself to the public, spiff it up. People notice you more readily. And hopefully remember you more favorably.

Strike Up A Conversation. The woman standing next to you in line to meet your favorite author might just be a reviewer who hasn't read your book yet. And you want her to like it.

What Not To Do At RT:

Be rude. Because the person without the nametag may be your biggest fan or the organizer's significant other.

Be late to dinner. You may not find a seat.

Complain about being shunted to the overflow hotel. A blessing in disguise as the Omni was gorgeous and the Hilton was somewhat of a mess from renovations.

Decide not to approach your favorite author at the book signing because you're shy. Go to my personal blog, On A Moonlit Night, to find out why JR Ward is my hero.

Orlando, here we come!