Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.
Don’t forget to click the purple button to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.
Are there other writers you ‘stalk’ on social media? Who and why?
Not guilty. I wouldn’t dream of behaving in that way.
Here’s why.
I tend to keep to myself, I’ve had enough grief on social media over the years to learn that the best policy is to watch everything and say very little.
Due to the dislike and negative opinions that my writing seems to have provoked in various quarters, I no longer post or engage on Twitter or Goodreads, I find them far too toxic. I’m also reducing my time on Facebook, my account was hacked and cloned a while ago and since then, I keep getting reported for spam, when all I’m doing is posting on my own page or adding to a thread in a group. I’m currently on my final warning, next time someone (or more likely one of the Facebook bots) takes offence at what I’ve written and reports me, my account will be deleted.
It never used to be like this. I used to be very active, commenting and participating in conversations with other authors and in groups, but that all changed when someone started posting comments about me that were untrue. When I politely tried to set the record straight, I quickly found the other side of social media, where whatever you say is jumped upon, misrepresented and used against you.
Strangely, my version of my own life, what I did and said and meant was the one that was incorrect.
I always thought that the idea of social media was to be sociable, to converse with like-minded people, make new friends and gain mutual enjoyment. With a few exceptions, I’ve found it to be the opposite, there really are some nasty people out there, who begrudge success and seem determined to be as offensive to anyone who had actually achieved something as possible. Trying to reason with these individuals is impossible. As I discovered, it only makes things worse, what’s more, they have long memories.
It’s getting to the point where I can’t be bothered anymore.
Until next time.
Let me know what you think about this week’s subject.
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Stevie Turner
So sorry to hear your tale of woe, Richard. I gave up Facebook a long time ago, but am still on Twitter. Social media is a time suck and I cut down the number of sites I’m on at the same time as I gave up Facebook. I find only Twitter and BookFunnel help to sell books.
Richard Dee
I’ve never sold a book via a Bookfunnel promotion, I mostly use it to send out ARCs and get newsletter subscribers.
Christine
The socials can be very toxic I agree. I left Facebook because of people being negative, there are too many keyboard warriors hiding behind their screens. I mainly look at Instagram now as it’s much more positive and you don’t accidentally see people’s comments as you have to click purposefully on them. I have made nice connections on there with other writers and I can learn about people and writing and look at funny pictures. Mastodon is also a nice platform where you don’t have a list of comments, good or otherwise. I bet you’ve got more time on your hands since leaving them.
Richard Dee
I’ve not tried Instagram for a long time, I must admit to being nervous about posting anywhere.
Samantha J Bryant
So many people have run into nasty-ness and scamming through social media. I can definitely understand why you’d back off.
Richard Dee
It’s a shame because I’d love to connect with new readers, the stress isn’t worth it.
P.J. MacLayne
I’ve tried to sell books on Twitter with no luck!
Richard Dee
I have had no success selling on any platform.
Steven
it’s a real shame that a bad few ruin things for the rest.
Richard Dee
It is, it knocks on as I will now not accept any new friend requests, just in case. I’m sticking with the people who have helped me, you all know who you are.
Daryl Devore
Bots are the most annoying things. And social media can be a frustrating mess.
Tweeted.
Richard Dee
It only takes one word, misconstrued.