Depart Gracefully

Good morning and welcome to Sharing Saturday. We’re going to discuss how to deal with an angry post or message.
We’ve all had these types of posts or messages. Someone doesn’t like our work, us, or the fact that we’re authors. They attack, call us lazy, say we steal money from people when we sell our books, or that we’re nothing but a hack and we should quit since we’re so dumb.
Your first reaction when seeing one of these posts is to fling their words right back at them. Stop! Back away from the computer. Take many deep breaths.
Rule 1 when dealing with internet trolls, and that is what you’ve just run across, never engage. They are waiting for that angry response. It feeds them. They are now empowered.
Once you are calm, read the message again. Take more deep breaths when your anger rises. Compose a response in your head that’s calm, benign. Write it out in a new document if need be, so you can ensure you haven’t done anything to feed the troll.
Your response should look something like this: Hi! I’m so glad you took the time to contact me. It’s unfortunate you don’t like my books. Perhaps you haven’t given them much of a chance. May I offer you a free copy, insert book title here, so you have a chance to enjoy it without having to purchase a copy? Have a nice day.
This might elicit an even angrier response or they might thank you and accept your offer. Or, the best response of all, they may go away and leave you alone. Internet trolls are out for only one thing, an angry response. That feeds their desire to feel strong and in charge. They are the ultimate bully. This is why you never feed their anger, but deflect it with kindness.



About K.C. Sprayberry
Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her
She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Those who know her best will tell you that nothing is safe or sacred when she is observing real life. In fact, she considers any situation she witnesses as fair characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond. game when plotting a new story.

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