Saturday 1 August 2015

Twitter Outrage for Writers


It is a sad fact of life that there are people who like nothing better than to stir up trouble as in: ''have stick, will poke it into this hornets' nest'' and Twitter seems to be the perfect forum for such people to indulge their proclivities. I have witnessed some right car crashes unfolding in the three years since I joined Twitter as a fledgling.

It seems to me that there is something about an impersonal forum, where one can hide behind a screen and a manufactured identity that suits the mentality of certain people, as it permits them to throw out what in the real world might be seen as sheer and unmitigating unpleasantness.

So how do we respond to the snarky comments, the tantrum-throwing and the frankly agenda-laced aggressive nutters that patrol Twitter and other forums? Are there unwritten rules of behaviour? Because if we are writers with books to sell, we have to put ourselves out there and then we are going to meet individuals whose opinions and stances and behavioural 'norms' differ radically from ours. How should we deal with this?

I believe there is a difference between disagreeing over a particular issue, and launching a personal attack on another Twitter member and their tweets. I undergo the latter every now and then, so I can completely understand why, in such a circumstance, one would want to create digital distance by unfollowing or blocking the attacker. After all, if it was real life, you'd certainly cross the road to avoid their company in future.

Blocking/unfollowing someone with whom you happen to have started a lively dialogue over an issue, however strongly you or they feel about it, is in my opinion the equivalent of stamping your foot, storming out and slamming the door. I did it at 13. Maybe you did it too. I don't do it now because I hope I'm more grown up. Thus I am happy to say: 'OK, let's agree to differ on this one. Thanks for the chat,' and drop out of the discussion, which is what I chose to do in a discussion about Calais migrants I got involved in recently.
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Also, I always remind myself, whenever I am sorely tempted to let rip, of what happened when I spoke at the Edinburgh Festival a few years ago. There I witnessed a nasty row take place, in public, between two very well-known writers. I remember thinking at the time: if that's the way you behave, then I don't think I want to read your books. And I never have. Twitter can seem like one's front room. It isn't, and it's important to realise that anybody can and will read what I tweet, and see how I react.

So what do you think? Do you speak your mind - whatever the outcome? How do you deal with Twitter outrage? I'd really like to know.

16 comments:

  1. I've seen quite a few heated discussions on Twitter and read some vile comments on Facebook posts, fortunately none were directed at me. I hope I would be as gracious as you are Carol, but then I'm such a wuss I'd probably delete my account and hide under my quilt! I'm sure this is what the trolls want. It is hard to remember that your 'conversation' can be seen by thousands, especially when you connect with fellow tweeters in a positive way. I have to remind myself of the 'rules' I gave my kids about being on the Internet. I do agree that it would put me off befriending and/or buying books from fellow writers if I saw that behaviour. Very thought provoking post, thanks x

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  2. I haven't actually come across it on Twitter, but then I usually miss all the discussions (I'm always too late for everything interesting). On Facebook, where you see what's going on longer, I just keep a distance from debates when people get narky, nasty and mean. There, it's often as if people's sense of everything decent has just gone AWOL!

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  3. Some good points, Carol. I tend to avoid confrontation on the internet unless I feel really strongly about something. At times such as the Scottish independence vote (I am half Scottish half English) I muted some people on Twitter because the vitriol upset me.

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  4. Great post, Carol. A sad sign of the times.

    I got caught out in a spat a few years back on FB about a suspected pirate website, with the result being that I was vilified across FB and Goodreads. I nearly quit all social media, but with two novels out at the time, I couldn't afford to bail out. Even when it snowballed out of control. I backed out of the discussions, ignored the comments, and moved on. Now, I pick and choose when to comment, and keep out of one-sided spats. Not my usual style, but much better for my health. Look after Number One! :-)

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  5. I have never had an argument on Twitter but I don't enter into big debates either. Over on Gransnet you have to be careful of having an opinion as you can be blown down in flames which is why I don't post on their forums anymore.

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  6. Woopse...my comment vanished mid-composition...don't know if it'll pop up or not, so I won't repeat. Just say that I did block a gentleman due to a cruel comment about my husband, who desperately needed our new "Obama Care" health coverage, whatever the plan's flaws. Normally, it's MYSELF that I need to manage most on social media. I get angered by stupidity and type without thinking. Then, if possible, I go back and delete. What I try to do is remember that old advice about politics and religion not being suitable topics for social situations. This is especially true if your business and "brand" are on display in these arenas. Personal opinion is PERSONAL. I can't let it interfere with my profession as a writer who uses social media to sell myself and my work. As a result, I likely have scars on my tongue from biting it so often. But I'm sure that has saved me a lot of unpleasantness.

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    1. Amazing that people would even think it was their business to comment on such a personal thing! It is hard at times..I see so much right wing stupidity on social media..but you are right: we are a brand, and as such it behoves us NOT to let rip. I sometimes wonder whether to start a second account in another name....

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  7. I got into a heated discussion over on facebook in a group, there for the purpose of discussing my fave TV show. It was awful. I ended up leaving to cool off as the comments became personal. Now adays it seems so easy for discussions to become a platform and excuse to exercise so much hate. Twitter has been a pleasant experience so far but I tend not to get involved. X
    Ps, my hubby always says 'opinions are like arseholes. Everybody has one'. Some people just need to accept that and move on. 😀

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    1. Hahah..love this. I do find if I respond as in blog, people (unless nutters) calm down.

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  8. I have heard of this, but not experienced any, thank God. L;ife is much too short for nastiness. Loving the arsehole quote, Lizzie!

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  9. Just walk away. Life is too short to waste time with anyone who resorts to insults. I'm worth more than that.

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  10. An anodyne approach over not airing one's views on Facebook & twitter doesn't make an author seem like an inspired person but it does mean a lot less hassle.

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    1. See response to person who accused me of being a 'Labourite' on my FB page re: Calais poem.

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    2. I have spoken my view and been attacked for it. I don't attack other people on their views. If I am attacked by anyone who is so narrow-minded as to not appreciate my view or really- someone who is looking for a fight I don't think twice about blocking them. I don't feel like I am being 13. As you say in real life you would create distance. If their views mean attacking anyone who doesn't agree- who needs them? MHO :-) Charlotte

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    3. P.S. I can't tell that anyone ever reads my tweets :-( Charlotte

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    4. You can...check the little 3 line thingy next to the star on the bottom of your tweets..tells you how many times it's been read.

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