This week I’ve contributed to Harperteen’s Myspace blog. My blog is about things that get in the way of writing. I briefly mentioned my general dicking about on the Internet, which is for me the NUMBER ONE OFFENDER. I did not, however, mention my hourly visits to gossip websites (learning about cultural trends!), futzing around on facebook (keeping current with people’s lives!), and staring at pictures of very expensive horses that are for sale in Holland. Nor did I mention the thing I do that not only interferes with my writing, but also my self-esteem: looking at the reviews posted about my books on Amazon.com.
I’ve talked about this compulsion before. It’s akin to running headfirst into a wall without first putting on a safety helmet. I do it when I’m stressed. For the past couple of months the only reviews of Cowboy were positive. (Okay, there were only two, but they were quite nice.) A few days ago those nice reviews were joined by a stinker. It’s not quite as nasty as some of those posted for the first Alice book, which inspired certain people to impressive heights of vitriol (I hate Alice! I hate Susan Juby! I’m going to burn her book and maybe come after her next!), but it’s still very bad. Nothing quite like having your book compared to a bad afterschool special to make a person rethink her career choice. So in light of that ad hominem attack by a person who has apparently never been moved to review anything else on Amazon (yes, I looked up his/her stats) I’m giving it up again. Looking at reviews, I mean. I will no longer visit Amazon or anyplace else on the Internet where people might be talking smack about my books. Why? Because I’m strong enough, I’m disciplined enough, and doggone it… it’s a lousy way to spend my time. I can put my many and various neuroses to better use. Like thinking up rare illnesses I might have. Yeah. That’s it. That’ll fill up the time quite nicely.
xoxox