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Cherry V's avatar

Good grief! There are things you write, there are things you say so the recipient can hear your voice tone and facial expressions, and there are things that you simply leave in your head. Callie's response was the latter! I guess she'd had a *really* bad day!

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Libby Iriks's avatar

Right!! Honestly, I was gobsmacked! 😶

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Simon Emslie's avatar

Libby, I felt myself getting angry on your behalf reading Callie’s email. But I loved seeing how your reaction to it changed as you read more lines. Your etiquette rule should be the number one rule for anyone on the internet.

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Libby Iriks's avatar

Thanks for the support, Simon. And yes, you’re right. The rule definitely should definitely apply to everyone.

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Amber Dolphin's avatar

I 100% agree with you Libby, it is so unnecessary to try to bring others down when life is hard enough, and that's not just for writers, but everyone. I too have a manuscript gathering dust and for years I have stopped myself from pulling it out and showing it to the world for fear of getting just this kind of response. I'm so proud of you for getting back on track. xx

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Libby Iriks's avatar

Never give up on a manuscript, Amber. Not if you believe in the story. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. 💜

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Tracey Buttel's avatar

OMG that’s just horrible and I would have taken it the same way. The arrogance of some people!

I have found our writing community so very supportive and encouraging but if I had had responses in that tone then I possibly would have packed up the idea of finishing my story.

We should be celebrating each other’s successes in what ever form that may be and lifting each other up, not cutting them down.

Shaking my head Libby, hope she is off your list now. You don’t need that in your life but perhaps these things happen to make us stop and self reflect and give us the opportunity to move forward wiser and stronger 💪

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Libby Iriks's avatar

She is absolutely off my list now, though I genuinely think she shot off the email without putting any thought into how it sounded. But herein lies the problem — writers DO need to think before they offer feedback/opinions. Luckily, I’ve thick skin!

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Claire Campbell's avatar

I love this! I think I wiuld've felt the exact same and read it the same way. Now you've got me hook, line & sinker, I want to know how this ends!!

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Libby Iriks's avatar

I’ll give you all the inside goss on the weekend! 😉

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