You readers provide a much-needed respite from today's bad news
Let me start by saying that I don't mean that as a compliment. In all my years as a writer, I've never encountered the type of hate rhetoric that readers hear spout in their anonymous "comments."
And you know who you are. Stupidly, I've always been one to check out what people say about my stories, but I've quickly realized from personal experience, and from what other News Break writers tell me, that "avoidance" is the way to go.
Why? Well, let's see. I've been called a "ho," "old and ugly," (thanks very much for that one), and someone who "trashes cities for a living," or some asinine comment like that, and worse.
Folks like you represent everything that's wrong with our society. You hide behind phony names and stupid avatars because you are essentially, gutless. You don't have the courage to speak whatever your "truth" is without a mask firmly in place. And I'm not talking about a Covid mask.
If you think that I'm wounded by your ugly words, think again as writers are a lot tougher than you probably give them credit for being. We put ourselves out there. Can you say the same? Of course, you can't.
Have you ever had to face rejection on a daily basis as we writers do? I highly doubt it. You'd probably fold like the cowards you are.
If you're employed, I'll just bet you have ongoing problems with your co-workers, your boss, the person who fills the company fridge with "free stuff"...everyone, probably.
Basically, you haters are trolls with precious else going on in your lives other than to make another person miserable. You're probably ripping out the guts of someone in your own home even as I write this. Perhaps you've been cheated on one too many times. Or, dumped. Or, fired from your jobs.
We all experience adversity in our lives. Get over it and move on.
Have you ever heard of "kindness" and "empathy?" Do you even know what these words mean? How about "live and let live?" Surely you're aware of that old saw. Or, maybe not. Are you so filled with bitterness that you don't know how to engage in intelligent discourse?
Go ahead and leave a nasty comment. It only helps me, in the long run. Plus, at least you're reading. Or, skimming, or whatever it is you do with the written word.
Finally, if you don't agree with me, that's all for the good. At least, if nothing else, I've made you think. But, when you go on the attack, the person you're really wounding is yourself because throwing hate at a virtual stranger only makes you look small and mean, and weak.
Chew on that, for a while.
© Sherry McGuinn, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s soon-to-be-ex-manager is currently NOT pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.
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