First, I’d like to recognize my three newest blog followers!

Tara McClendon
Susan J. Reinhardt
Heather Sunseri

Y’all rock and are SO very welcome here!

******

I’ve admitted my addiction before, but yes, I watch the bachelorette. Let’s not discuss the fact that I shouldn’t watch this show given my moral sensibilities that are irritated each time I watch. I know, I know. I’m trying to kick the habit. Some people smoke. Some turn to alcohol… Me? I catch me some bachelor/ette on TV.

(let me also just say, for those who found this blog by typing in “Kristas bachelorette blog” or something to that effect, and thought they might be finding TRISTA the bachelorette… I am very very very much NOT her. But… feel free to read on *grin*)

I just want to discuss Wes for a moment.

For those of you *non* watchers out there, Wes was a dude for all extensive purposes, came on the show to promote his country music career. He made this pretty clear to everyone except for the Bachelorette, of course. He also insinuated then came right out and said he had a “girlfriend” back home.

And every woman in America (well, the ones watching the show anyway) wanted to backhand him.

So, as I was watching the “Men tell all” show tonight, a thought popped into my head. Even though there is a way of thinking that “negative publicity” isn’t bad because at least people are talking about you… I think there’s a point where you can seriously damage your career by doing something stupid.

Like becoming one of the most hated men in America by… not sure how many viewers… but uh, yeah, not so smart.

How does this relate to book writing?

Very simple: Be careful what you say/do. Because people hear/see.

Little things can stick with you. If you read someone’s blog and are irritated by it, and post a negative comment… uh yeah. Not great exposure, especially if said blog is that of an agent/editor.

Mean reviews can be a thorn in your side.

Rude comments, even if you meant them as a joke, could be misconstrued. (I have to watch myself on that one… I am the queen of pretend rude comments…. Sorry Marybeth about my nananana one!)

A Tweet or Facebook status update made in haste can come back to haunt you.

In the end, publicity is huge but it’s also about IMAGE. How you come across can affect your entire career.

And for us followers of Christ, even more important than our “professional” image, is the image we reflect of our savior. Can people see God in you? Do you reflect him or give him “negative” publicity?

I’d love to sit here and say that I am very mindful of how I’m perceived both as a writer and as a Christ follower, but I fail probably daily. We all do. But I pick myself back up and try again to do better. I realize that God is perfected in my weaknesses.

Discussion: How do YOU want to be perceived by the masses?

author-sign

14 Comments

  1. No need to apologize. I laughed 🙂 I have thick skin when it comes to sarcasm!!! Heck, it's practically a second language for me.

    But I totally understand what you are saying. I am much more careful than I would be if I wasn't trying to become a writer. I think twice before I say ANYTHING…and sometimes I still regret things that I have said in a comment/twitter/facebook post.

    Great post 🙂
    (I promise, I only cried for a day after your comment!)

  2. What a wonderful thing to think about, and while we are at it, to pray about. We do mess up every day (at least I know I do). That is part of why I prayed so long before I ever started blogging. Sarcasm can bite you quick if your words are taken out of context, or if the people reading your words don't understand your personality. I just saw a Twitter post on Rachelle Gardner's Twitter. "'Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.' Carol Burnett. [Goes for blogging & tweeting too!]"

  3. I once posted a negative review on Amazon (not mean, just a review explaining why I didn't like such-and-such book). AFter five minutes, I went back onto Amazon and deleted it. I think that was a good move. This isn't to say we can't have opnions or that we should love every book we read…. I just think, this business where it's already so hard to get your foot in the door…why stick gum on the bottom of your shoe when you don't have to? I deleted the review and decided if i don't like a book, I don't write a review. If I like a book, I write a review. Easy cheesy. 🙂

  4. Let me also clarify…I've written posts on having a hard time getting into books. But I'm careful ever to name the book I'm not liking. Writing is so subjective. I could talk about some book I hated, but my next door neighbor might have loved it. And it's hurtful to the writer, who breathed life into their story.

  5. You are totally right! I think we have to be so careful what we say, because the words we put out there are for all the world to see. Gotta stay on our toes! 🙂

  6. Hi Krista –

    Thanks for the welcome and for commenting at my blog. 🙂

    With any written form, whether email, letters, blogs, websites, comments, or social media, misunderstandings occur. Rule of thumb: be nice.

    I don't want a reputation for being snarky or nasty. If I want friends, I need to be a friend.

    Thanks for a great post.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

  7. I hope I get perceived as not negative. LOL!!! I just dealt with this yesterday. Saw an interesting discussion on Facebook and started to write my opinion. Then I deleted it.
    The thing is, my blog, facebook and myspace are for networking as a writer. They're not personal. I have all sorts of people on there I don't know. So I've got to watch what I say. I should be more careful in my personal life too.
    Great reminder, Krista! And I agree, that guy wasn't too smart. LOL

  8. As we tell our children, constantly, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." In the writing industry, it's especially easy for us to grow cynical and critical. And proud! But if we try to remain humble and more generous with our compliments than cut-downs, we'll please the Lord and appear much more professional, don't you think?

  9. Marybeth… so glad you didn't cry for long! *grin*

    Heather, exactly! I am QUEEN of sarcasm and I use it liberally… but I really try to make sure no one will be offended. Obviously, I don't always make the mark.

    Katie, i have the exact policy. If I review, it's either GREAT, good, or I don't post at all. I figure if everyone does this… there just won't be many reviews on the not so great books. LOL

    Sherrinda, yes we do! although, sometimes our poor toes get tired!

    Susan, LOVE the rule of thumb. Be nice is one of my motto's!

    Jessica… oh my goodness! That is so hard for me too. I LOVE a good debate, and probably get a little, uh, opinionated on my blog sometimes. I've had to go back and completely rewrite stuff before when I got to the end of a post and decided I was being a bit, um, opinionated. LOL

  10. Jody, I couldn't have said it better!!!

    And pride is a huge thing too. We all know a few people who are a little too big for their britches and I think in the end, they get labeled as "difficult" to work for. Please, Jesus, let someone NEVER cringe at the thought of working with me!!

  11. Excellent post! I often like to spew sarcasm but i am very careful at what i write!

  12. Timely post! My addiction is Survivor. 🙂 So I'm not one to throw stones at Bachelorette fans.

    The song might be more appropriately worded now "Oh, be careful, little fingers, what you type."

  13. Thanks for the link to my blog. Here's my tidbit to add. In PR, cleaning up negative publicity is one of the highest paying jobs. Why? Because it can spread like wildfire, and it takes a full team of PR experts to try to clean up the mess.

    I think Michael Jackson is a great example of what negative publicity can do to a career. He was a great artist, but much of his career was shadowed by the child abuse accusations.

  14. T.Anne: You're not alone. *grin*

    Erica… LOVE THAT song.

    Tara… You are so right! I think Wes's manager is kicking himself for his idea now. Very telling that he didn't come to the "men tell all" thing… and Michael Jackson is a great example.

Comments are closed.