On reviews and meanness and writers and readers

I've been thinking about a sentiment I hear over and over again as I scan the blogosphere, and in face to face conversations with other writers, too. It's hard to write a book, writers (and some readers) say. People shouldn't be so mean about it. If you can't find something nice to say, you just shouldn't say anything at all. I grew up with various versions of the "if you can't find something ...

... the way I did with my maternal grandmother. I do love her though and strangely one of my best memories of her will be the last memory of her sitting in her sun room talking. She repeated everything she said about ten times. She was out of her mind, but to me all of the meanness that she had for years was no longer there. All there was love. I feel blessed to have had that morning with her.

Cannery Row - John Steinbeck

.... It has always seemed strange to me...The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.

Wanda and the X-Men, Friday afternoon

... tempted to leave the two women who had killed his ship without lifejackets, but, in the end, they'd been given the same consideration as the crew. There was no excuse for that level of dishonor and meanness, ship or no, and fact of the matter was, if the ship went over, then the vests wouldn't make enough difference to matter. Even the hardiest of them would be dead inside of a minute. He ...

Tweetings from my Twitter

21:23 Pet Peeve: Someone says something bigoted, I ask questions that make them and everyone else see how bad it was, cue crying about my meanness #

The Kansas Incident. - Aspect 3.

..., smartasses I've ever had the pleasure to call my friends." I gave Charity a piercing glare. "That's what I meant by obnoxious. Don't be mean unless you have to. The 'Bads live off of meanness and hurt, remember? Be funny, be sarcastic without harm. It's important. Get them to laugh. Bring your light into their cave and help them see." "Bring our light...." Charity rolled that around. "And if ...

October 2009 open theme month: Sidekick Theme

... admire in a good friend or partner?: they stand up for what's right, they are always there for me, and they are willing to listen to others Which traits would you rather they not have?: meanness, too much sarcasm, an impulsive way of doing things, cold, or always complaining Of course you and your friend/partner have a theme song! Please share it with us via upload, youtube link, or ...

Welcome Post

... as a Peter, or how this Sylar isn't staying true to character. Everyone brings something to the characters they play if you don't like it tough cookies. Keep it to yourself. If I hear about any meanness to any characters or their players you will be instantly removed from the Comm. This is your only warning. 2- We allow doubles of characters! I can't tell you how many times I've gone to join a ...

Stamped as Sister Luke | | Scene Theme

... tv/movies with my friends What are some of your dislikes/pet peeves? people who think the world revolves around them and/or they don't have to follow the rules, too much sarcasm, cruelty, bad drivers, meanness, laziness How would you describe your life so far? Great, I've pushed myself to try new, exciting things and to learn as much as I can. What are your views on love and relationships? ...

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the ...