During our 4th Annual Writers’ Conference & Book Expo, I was scheduled to present a session on my “15 Pearls” of Literature on Marketing, Blogging, Community, and Support. As it has worked out in the past (but won’t be the case anymore), I wasn’t able to get this session up in time but did get it done eventually – just not published. Those who registered for that session will be getting 3 new sessions FREE during our upcoming 2020 WC&BE!
This session on my “PEARLS…” will be shared here for all our members, in hopes that it will help in our quest to become more successful and better at marketing our work as we make connections that will benefit us professionally as well as personally. These will be posted under our posting schedule of Mondays each week, in separate parts.
Welcome to Part 7!
TROLLING FOR TROUBLE
We should all know by now that the old adage, “Misery loves company” is true. Ever heard the term “troll” used online? This term is often used to refer to those “haters” over in places like Goodreads-land (or those coming from other forums who continuously “troll” the RRBC site). Now, I know some of you love Goodreads and that’s fine, but I tend to choose not to get too taken with people and places that are filled with ugly and negativity. It seems Goodreads was created specifically for these reasons.
Online, the term “troll” is used for those individuals who go around spreading negativity simply for sport. They might give you a low review on Amazon just because … for no specific reason (or Goodreads, if your book is listed there). They may not have even read your book, but in Goodreads-land especially, that’s OK – and from my experience with the forum, it’s also encouraged. They do it just because they can. With no one policing behavior in a forum, what is going to stop negative behavior from running rampant? This is what goes on in that forum and others like it.
Today, we’re turning the table on “trolls,” or as I like to refer to them, trouble makers.
These people peruse sites looking for anything they can find wrong with someone’s book. If they don’t like the title, the cover, the author’s name … whatever it is they have decided to zoom in on, they find something to spark an ugly discussion about it. And, even if there is nothing wrong, let me tell you…they will create something. I call this trolling for trouble. There’s always a ring-leader who gets the other “trolls” all riled up and standing behind them in army-like fashion, until, that is, the one who the ringleader is attacking, stands up against them – then the ringleader somehow finds their way to the very back of the little “troll” army line.
Even though these cowards (“trolls”) are hiding behind their keyboards feeling tough, they feel defenseless when strong, intelligent words are thrown in their direction. You see, intelligence of any kind frightens them, as they are accustomed to using words that are used by people with very limited vocabularies. I don’t need to spell those words out for you … we all know the kinds of words I’m referring to. These “trolls” seek out books with sterling 5-star reviews and intentionally leave poor reviews just to put a dent in the author’s rating. (And by the way, I’m not referring to those of you who put a dent in a sterling 5-star undeserved track record when you leave an honest review. In those times, you’re doing a great service to your fellow readers and I applaud you for being brave enough to do so.) What I’m referring to is what the “trolls” go around doing with negative intentions. And how sick is that behavior?
I’m encouraging you to stand up to these bullies (“trolls”) and let them know that they are trolling for trouble in the wrong place. Let them also know that you will not be intimidated by their ugliness or the vulgarity of their very limited vocabularies. Show them that you will not back down from their little army of “troll” followers and that you will stand tall and strong until they go away.
We can’t please everyone all the time, but, we can surely keep these little troubled “trolls” on the run!
~ Nonnie Jules
***
Before you leave, would you mind hitting the LIKE button above, leaving a comment and sharing the page onto social media? Thanks in advance!
Looking to belong to an awesome community of support where HONESTY and DECENCY in all things are strongly encouraged and highly valued? Then, JOIN the Rave Reviews Book Club where you’ll never feel alone on your writing journey, the place always feels like home and your professional reputation doesn’t decline by association!
RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB 
I will never understand the point in trying to hurt someone just because you can. A wise woman once said: “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” I couldn’t agree more.
LikeLike
Hi, Karen! We all may never understand it, but, I certainly recognize that it takes a very sick mind and a sad individual to engage in such activity. But, again, we know that there are some.
Thanks for dropping in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never had to deal with a troll as an author, but as an educator, there are a few trolls on a group page that we share. I have had moments when a troll has responded to my post or comment, and I come back at them with politeness and an educated response. I was raised to kill people with kindness, and it has always worked for me. It allows me to be in control of my own energy while also not allowing the troll to get the response they are hoping for. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are often told that the way to handle these negative reviews is to ignore them. I’m unsure what’s the best reaction. These people crave attention. By reacting, we are giving them that. However, by their very nature they are bullies, and bullies can’t take being stood up to.
It’s a difficult one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, V. M. Someone standing up to their nonsense is a bully’s worst fear. Thanks for dropping in!
LikeLike
Nonnie, you hit the nail right on the head. I have seen evidence of these “trolls” both on Amazon and GR. It’s like a slap in the face to an author which has put me in sort of a funk when posted; a weakness of mine that I still have to overcome. My wife’s favorite saying is: “Stop dwelling on the negative review and focus on the hundreds that love your work.” This always made me smile but the negative comments are still stored on a shelf deep in my subconscious. If only it was as easy as being a juror in a trial when the judge says: “Please disregard that statement.” Now, that makes me laugh! Thanks for your words of wisdom!
LikeLike
Trolls are just ugly inside and out, Nonnie. I feel lucky that I’ve escaped them so far. I can’t say that anyone has ever left a negative review for any of my books that wasn’t founded. Nevertheless, I have no time for entertaining trolls (although my girls used to love their Troll dolls). 🙂 Thank you for sharing your hard-earned wisdom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know about Trolls, Nonnie, but I haven’t encountered one yet, not even on GR, and I post reviews there often. When I get a bad rating, I simply brush it off and move on because I believe that a reviewer has a right to his/her own opinion. I have a group I adhere to who simply don’t like exotic stories, the type I tell. The fact is, I can only tell my own stories, not their’s. I look at Trolls as people who don’t know what they are talking about.
LikeLike
Thank you for this topic and warning. A troll criticized my book, So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids! because it wasn’t what he wanted in an autobiography. But this book wasn’t an autobiography, it falls under the family/self-help/inspiration categories. As you noted, he probably didn’t even read it. Happy Tuesday!
Harriet
LikeLike