Friday, May 13, 2005

Reading what people say about you on the Internet

If you are an author, you might be able to relate...do you ever Google your name, or your book title? And if you do, have you came across comments that people post about either you or your book? Yesterday, I did a search on my name in Yahoogroups and found out two book clubs had recently selected MY DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND as their book of the month. Yippee, yeah. That's lovely. But a little nagging voice sometimes urges me to look and see what people are saying. Sometimes Yahoogroups has public archives, so anyone and everyone can take a peek, see what's going on in these groups. I'll admit I am not brave enough to really go browsing around trying to see what folks are saying. Since becoming an author almost a year ago, I will admit it is weird to see reviews or other comments on the Internet about yourself. People say and think the most outrageous things. Sometimes you disagree with the person; like someone in England said I set back African American literature by 20 years. I was like, Oh really. Why 20 years? Why not 15? or 25? Oh even 100? It is maddening because even if you wanted to, you can't really find these people and give them a piece of your mind. You just have to take it. When you're in the public eye, you learn how to let people think whatever they think. Doesn't mean that it's true. It doesn't mean they are accurate. It just means they are expressing what they think on the limited amount of info that they have on you. We all do it. I love to talk about celebrities and I can't say I really know any...I just have thoughts about them. So we move on. We keep breathing. Because as sure as someone is out there saying whatever they feel like saying about me, I am somewhere looking at a movie, listening to a song on the radio, and thinking whatever I might be thinking about them. Ain't that a blip???

4 comments:

Frederick Smith said...

I'm such a google addict... something I know has to stop. I google myself all the time. I'm bracing myself for the good and the bad. Hopefully more good than bad...
fs

CydneyR said...

Whazzup Fred?? :)

Googling is too addictive. Is there a drug to control the power of a Google search?? LOL. Welcome to da club, Fred...

Anyone got any recommendations for a cure?

Stacy-Deanne said...

Hi Cyd,

I google my name and book all the time! I am a hog for seeing how far my name and book has spread on the web. All I have seen so far are people saying they have to get the book. So far the two reviews I've seen on the online sites have been good ones. It's good to google your name and your site to see where you show up. I just keep wondering how my site ended up on a porn site link...hmmm? Well, can't stress that? I'm sure all our sites and books go places we won't even know about. LOL!

Stacy
" Divas of the New Millennium "

CydneyR said...

I agree, Stacy. Your book can end up on websites that don't seem to fit. Kinda strange but hey, whatever it takes huh? I like to see my book on various sites - it's when you see your name and people discuss you, now that's another issue. It's maddening as a matter of fact.