A stiff upper lip is needed when joining a writer's forum!

I have to admit I sometimes let things bother me more than I should. Maybe it's how I was raised.  Living in a small community in the Midwest, where everyone waives to you regardless if they know you, somehow creates a inner belief that the world is a pleasant place.  But the truth is, it isn't, at least not always. Recently I took a huge leap and joined Amazon's author forum.  I started out by just familiarizing myself with the subjects and reading the content of other people's posts.  I was amazed at all the wonderful information that was provided by people who appeared to be just like me.  It was a mixture of newbies and experienced authors who seemed to have found a venue in which they could share ideas and feedback.  After hours of reading I finally to the leap and submitted a post.  I desperately wanted advice on my blog and since I have little experience, I was hopeful someone could provide me with fresh ideas on how to make it more up to date and professional.  Than I waited...and waited...until finally I had one response.  It seems I went through the trouble of requesting help-but failed to put the link to my blog on the post! UGH for embarrassing!  So I sheepishly hit the editing button and entered my link- profusely apologizing for being so dumb-and than...NOTHING!  Not one response!--So..I started a new post-explaining my stupidity-and once again my dilemma-and low and behold- responses started to come in.  I was like a sponge, absorbing all the feedback, until to my dismay I saw I had responses in the inbox of my email.  Strange, I thought, but still I was excited to have additional responses.  But than I had the unfortunate duty of reading them.  I was shocked by the bitterness in which the three I received sounded. These people were accusing me of things that had never occurred to me.  My first instinct was to be defensive, but than I got angry.  How dare these people turn an innocent plea for help into something so jaded! So I went back on the forum and posted a not so very nice response-stupid yes, but that's just me. I hate being put into a mold created by others.  I am who I am. I carry my emotions on my sleeve, a fault I know, but one I carry with great pride.  Yes, I'm a complicated person, but there is a simple side to me as well.  I believe in being honest, and forthright, and most of all a good person.  I take offense when I am accused of being anything but.-Thankfully my rage was calmed quickly, by those that are more experienced than I in this world of words.  So as I always do, I took a deep breath...and let it go.  Time to move on to bigger and better things...like waiving to that elderly woman whose just now crossing the street. I'm sure I know from somewhere...if not...I will now!