Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Stay safe, everyone on the East Coast from Northern NSW right down to the border. Stay indoors where possible - thinking of you all :)

[PattyMacDotComma]

Brenda wrote: "Stay safe, everyone on the East Coast from Northern NSW right down to the border. Stay indoors where possible - thinking of you all :)"

Take care and take cover if you can!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Not too bad here yet. Just wet and windy. And COLD! 10 degrees or less all day!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Patty! I agree Phrynne, it's freezing today. Thank goodness for the ducted!

[Helen]

Yes, it has been freezing all and raining goodcday for reading 📚

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And staying inside Helen :)

[Dale]

It sure is bucketing down outside. Thankful for a warm dry home.

[Dale]

My heart and thoughts go out to the homeless.

[Sarah]

Just watching the news. I hope all members who live in Sydney and the NSW coastal regions are safe, dry and warm. xx

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Sarah - it's the wind that's so scary!

[Dale]

The wind is indeed Brenda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I hope you'll be safe down south Dale..

[Dale]

Thanks Brenda, you too where you are plus everyone else here.

[Dale]

A wild night outside last night and then 4.30 power went off here but restored by 10.30 am, praise God! Rain seems to stopped here now, still windy but not as violent as last night. Praying everyone else is okay.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you're okay Dale, and your power wasn't out for too long :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

It is much better here now. We even saw a little sun at lunch time. Still showers, wind and cold though!

[Dale]

Indeed, Brenda. No sunshine here Phrynne. Still grey skies,

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Still grey here too, and it was bucketing down this morning, but nothing now. Glad things seem to be easing! I feel for the Central Coast folks..

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Especially the ones whose houses are in danger of falling in the sea!

[Dale]

Rain back here now. Poor people whose houses are in danger, Phrynne.

[Dale]

Thankfully we are nowhere near like that here😁

[Marianne]

Question. A school friend of mine is trying to join and messaged me to say "I've signed up with the free account, but haven't activated the security, as this requires credit card info, and I don't want to set that up just now." Is this right? I don't remember needing to provide a credit card, but I joined in 2011, before Amazon got involved.

[Helen]

I never had to Marianne but that was a long time ago

[Sharon]

I never had to either, Marianne. But I did join in 2012. Things may have changed since then

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I haven't had to either (2009) and wouldn't like to either. Invading privacy..

[Marianne]

Thank you all, she does seem to have been able to join and we're now friends so I guess things worked without it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's good to hear!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Marianne wrote: "Question. A school friend of mine is trying to join and messaged me to say "I've signed up with the free account, but haven't activated the security, as this requires credit card info, and I don't ..."

What's the security she refers to?

[Andrea]

Some interesting commentary coming out about The Salt Path controversy. I haven’t read it myself, but I did go and see the film recently.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Andrea wrote: "Some interesting commentary coming out about The Salt Path controversy. I haven’t read it myself, but I did go and see the film recently."

I read about that too Andrea! Pretty shocking if it's true!

[Rowan]

Just reading about it now - crazy!

https://observer.co.uk/news/national/...

[PattyMacDotComma]

Rowan wrote: "Just reading about it now - crazy!

https://observer.co.uk/news/national/..."

WOW!

[Krystal]

Rowan wrote: "Just reading about it now - crazy!

https://observer.co.uk/news/national/..."

Wow that is insane!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

It is a shame they did it the way they did because it is actually a very good story even as fiction! I enjoyed it despite worrying all the time about Moth's health. It is reassuring in a way that it was not true!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Phrynne wrote: "It is a shame they did it the way they did because it is actually a very good story even as fiction! I enjoyed it despite worrying all the time about Moth's health. It is reassuring in a way that i..."

I think "fiction-inspired-by" is a better way to go with these stories. I notice many of the sort-of-true-crime television shows make a point of saying they are based on a real situation, but they have added characters and changed things to suit themselves. In fact, that's pretty much how historical fiction works, isn't it?

[Rowan]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "It is a shame they did it the way they did because it is actually a very good story even as fiction! I enjoyed it despite worrying all the time about Moth's health. It is reassuring..."

I recently learned about 'autofiction' which is a genre that combines elements of autobiography with fiction. I think this has infiltrated straight nonfiction and memoir though - and continues being marketed as 100% true.

[Rowan]

Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five-star reviews without authors coming after me.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rowan wrote: "Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five-star reviews ..."

That's pathetic Rowan - don't they know the rules! Never interact with a reviewer, especially if it's a low rating. Be grateful people are reading their books at all! I hope you block them on social media - and on Goodreads too, Rowen.

And the most important thing is - don't let them get to you! It's their problem, not yours :)

[Rowan]

Brenda wrote: "Rowan wrote: "Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five..."

Thanks for your kind words and support, Brenda! ☺️ I appreciate that. It left me feeling rather flat last night.

I don't plan on responding to them. My review was 3-stars and not really even that negative.

Unfortunate when this happens. I will take your advice and not let them get to me!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I hope you can Rowan - it's difficult sometimes! I remember ages ago being rousted on by a publisher for posting a 3 star review on Amazon. I was only allowed to post 4 or 5 stars - but they wanted honest reviews! A bit hypocritical IMO!

[Rowan]

Brenda wrote: "I hope you can Rowan - it's difficult sometimes! I remember ages ago being rousted on by a publisher for posting a 3 star review on Amazon. I was only allowed to post 4 or 5 stars - but they wanted..."

Oh no, Brenda. Sorry to hear about your experience with that publisher! Definitely hypocritical of them!

I also noticed vote manipulation happening to this particular book at the same time the author messaged me. Faceless accounts leaving three 5-star ratings within minutes of his message.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha!! They're are desperate aren't they! Definitely not confident in their ability to please their readers! It's sad they resort to that!

[Rowan]

Brenda wrote: "Haha!! They're are desperate aren't they! Definitely not confident in their ability to please their readers! It's sad they resort to that!"

Very sad! It did make me laugh at least! Haha

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good! That's the right attitude for you Rowan - that would upset them more I think, knowing you're laughing at them!! lol

[Krystal]

Rowan wrote: "Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five-star reviews ..."

That's such a shame, I'm sorry that's happening to you! Especially for a 3-star!

[Rowan]

Krystal wrote: "Rowan wrote: "Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five..."

Thanks for your kind words, Krystal! Frustrating when it happens. Grateful to have enjoyed more positive than negative experiences with authors though 😊

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I agree with Krystal. I often give three stars to books that I like but that I can't actually rave about. Sorry that happened to you Rowan.

[Leonie]

Rowan wrote: "Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five-star reviews ..."

That's an extraordinarily unprofessional thing for an author to do, Rowan. You should always review as you wish - it's the reader's prerogative. And not every reader will like every author's work. It's how reality works and authors need to be realistic too.

[Dale]

Well said Leonie. Unless we review honestly what is the point? 😁Authors need to take the good as well as the bad.

[Rowan]

Phrynne wrote: "I agree with Krystal. I often give three stars to books that I like but that I can't actually rave about. Sorry that happened to you Rowan."

Thanks, Phrynne. I'm the same as you with three-stars - there's always things I like about such books, though perhaps a few niggles as well.

Leonie wrote: "Rowan wrote: "Another day, another unhappy author messaging me on social media regarding a Goodreads review.

At this point, I'm starting to feel that I can't write anything other than four or five..."

Really appreciate your thoughts, Leonie. I always encourage other readers to make up their own minds etc. We all have different tastes and things which resonate with us. Unfortunate when this happens.