A couple of weeks ago, I posted on Facebook how tired I was of seeing drama and infighting in the MM genre, that I found it to be unnecessary and counter-productive. It seems like every few weeks, there is something else that pops up and causes readers and authors alike to bare their teeth and turn on each other.
Sometimes, it’s important (think GFY vs. bi-erasure), but generally, it’s pointless and seems to exist simply because people revel in talking shit about others.
I, for one, have never understood the position some authors take when they decide to get involved in the down-and-dirty, especially when it comes to speaking ill of other authors. Coming from a reader/consumer perspective, if I, as a potential reader, followed a new to me author on social media and saw them being nasty to others, I would hands-down avoid that author and never purchase one of their books. It’s that simple.
I can’t, however, speak for why readers get involved. You do you, boo-boo. I’m well aware that everything can’t be sunshine and skipping through fields of flowers, but don’t you get tired of it? But I don’t know if I should continue that line of thinking as it’s dangerously close to telling a reader how to act or what to do, and I don’t do that.
I like to think I’m personable. The me you see on social media is who I really am. TJ Klune isn’t a persona I’ve adapted in order to sell books. I talk too much. I overthink everything. Stupid shit happens to me.
That also means that I’m a person with opinions, and those opinions have cost me a few readers (mostly from pro-trump MM readers–a paradox I have yet to understand, but that’s something I just use the block button for instead of engaging). But for every opinion I’ve put out, there are at least a dozen that I’ve kept to myself. Do I agree always with what other authors do/act/post/ write about? Fuck no. Do I sometimes want to shake a reader who posts they won’t read an author because of frivolous XYZ? Yup. But given the last few years, I have found it’s easier for me to just move on.
And I have started to wonder why others just don’t do the same. Oh, yes, I know how that sounds. Trust me, I do. Listen to me, on my high horse, preaching about blah, blah, blah. I am aware. But I’ve been around long enough now that I think I’ve earned the right to say that I think we should all consider taking a step back every now and then. Not every bit of gossip requires a response. Not every can-you-believe-a-specific-author-set-up-a-patreon-how-dare-they needs to be acknowledged. There was a blog post by an MM author a couple of weeks back that discussed blurring lines between authors and readers that absolutely made me want to pull my hair out because of how condescending it was, but I closed my laptop and went outside instead of writing a comment saying WRONG. YOU ARE WRONG. THE FACT THAT I AM TYPING IN CAPS SHOULD TELL YOU HOW WRONG YOU ARE.
Look. I don’t expect you to agree with me. And I hardly expect people to stop the draMMa. But, the next time something blows up that’s entirely inconsequential to your every day life, maybe just move on? You might find yourself enjoying life a little bit more. It takes less energy to be happy than it does to be an asshole.
Or, just say Fuck Tj Klune and continue doing what you’re doing.
I’m zen, man. And I have a block button.
tj
PS: Fuck Donald Trump right in the face.
tjklunebooks.com
I agree with the majority of what you have written. A majority of those individuals who indulge in this type of behaviour would not do so if they had to use their real name so the public would know exactly who they are.
I will enshrine your comment that it takes less energy to be happy than it does to be an asshole. Bravo.
Well said.
I am in complete agreement with you. I guess I am lucky enough not to see much draMMa but the little I have seen I just shake my head. I love your work and TJ is a common name in our house when we discuss books. Keep being you, we like it that way!
Totally agree. I’m an angry person by nature BUT I just kick something like my table or door and ultimately it only hurts me and then I of course notice that I’m being a complete idiot and move on.. When I can walk again of course, stupid marple table
I agree with everything but one. No one should be cursed to stick their dick anywhere near that creature.
Be well my friend.
I love everything about this post. Especially the P.S.
Amen TJ! I keep repeating the mantra “I will not engage, I will not engage, I will not engage.”
P.S. pro-Trump mm?? That surely cannot be a thing!
They say never meet your heroes, you’ll always be disappointed. Following authors (or actors or musicians, etc) on social media is a little bit of that and there is risk as a reader. I do it mostly because I want to know about upcoming releases and what they’re working on. I also like the opportunity to easily tell an author thank you for writing something I loved. The added bonus is that most authors are as engaging on social media as they are in their books. I have stopped following authors when the drama and negativity get to be too much. It can take away from the ‘magic’ of their books, knowing too much about the author’s voice when it’s so different from the character’s voice. It overpowers and takes the reader out of the story. Not saying authors shouldn’t be themselves on social media or should always be shiny happy people, but if an author is someone who belittles others or tries to tell me what I should or shouldn’t read (my money/my time/my choice), I’m probably going to quietly go away. Would never call an author out on it, but the author will have one less follower and sell one less book next release(s). The flip side of that are all the times (and there are many) an author’s posts have prompted me to buy and read a book I wouldn’t have otherwise (and recommend that book to others). As someone who buys books like they’re going extinct, this is the payoff for an author who just, as you say, moves on and keeps the focus on what they’re writing and excited about, both personally and professionally, instead of the drama.
love.
OMG, I love you so much!!!! Thanks for being you – honest, talented, and unafraid/unashamed to say it like it is.
I don’t know about anyone else but the P.S. was my favorite part.
So. Much. This!
I love you! In an entirely platonic way. 🙂
Holy moly I’m laughing. I agree and I’m going to take your advice. Thx TJ for being you, for being real. 😀
Thanks for the title of the post, loved it! I’m pretty sure I saw that blog post you’re referring to & as much as I wanted to tell that person where they could shove their opinion, I took the high road & quit following them. Most of the authors I actually interact with are very nice, generous people. I enjoy the sense of community I get within their groups. I’m not certain exactly how many authors have Patreon accounts, at this time I only contribute to one. I wish I had funds to do more because I want to support the work you people do. Anyway thanks for everything.
Great post and hitting it right on the head. Creating drama and staying in that mood takes a lot out of a person, I can totally agree about moving on and spending energy on better things.
Same people who are asking “Why are you agains gay marriage? If you don’t want to ‘gay marry,’ then don’t do it,” are saying “I am against your choices as a writer of MM.” Don’t the same rules apply? If you, an author of MM or any other genre personally don’t like patreons, don’t get involved with it. And move on. What a waste of space and bandwidth!