Okay, I have a little something to tell you, but Shhhh….it’s a secret. Did you know that a lot of agents and editors are friends with each other? Not only that, but writers are friends with other writers? I know, weird.
I have probably already quoted this, but I’m going to quote it again. Josi Kilpack said something to the effect of, “Don’t go throwing the sand in the litter box, because the sandbox is small.”
The writing community is small. You shouldn’t be saying mean things about other writers, agents or editors. I don’t care if they have cooties or if so and so keeps bothering you with his weird turned up mustache. These are the things you need to keep to yourself (or your best friend over a tub of chocolate pistachio supreme – but that’s it!). It’s not something that should be gossiped over, discussed over the pulpit at church or even announced over the local high school intercom (plus they probably don’t even know what you are talking about).
Plus agents, editors and writers will find you are hard to work with and will not want to touch your MS with a ten foot pole (or even a snotty wadded up tissue…I’m just saying).
So remember, the next time you have a bee up your bonnet, ants crawling up your pants, or even birds sitting in the tree you just parked your car under. Do not - repeat - DO NOT open that mouth. Just keep it shut, because you never know where those words will end up at.
Just remember what Mom said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” (Was that just my mom? Well, she is wise.)
7 comments:
This is excellent advice! I think it's so important for us to keep this in mind each time we post or leave a comment. Part of why we blog is to get ourselves out there - to get known. I don't think any of us are hoping to be known in a negative way, but it is all too possible if we aren't careful.
What a coincidence? My mom said that too. Cool!
One can always go the "Anonymous" comment route to vent, but that's cowardly IMO.
You're right. Keep your opinions to yourself and possibly a close friend you can vent to.
The very best kind of advice. There's a reason they call it the "golden" rule. ;) Also, you never know who you'll be standing next to on your journey and it's best to be kind.
That said, isn't it just more fun to be nice and get along anyway?
Great post, Carolyn!
Very true! Thanks for this wonderful post.
So true! This is great advice and I love it.
Nichole
It is a small sandbox, Carolyn, and it gets smaller every day. Good advice. LG
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