Comments on Pastor Mom: The Authors Have Spoken…

am i jumping in late? mb, i'm glad you picked up ...

2007-01-16T22:12:00.000-06:00

am i jumping in late?

mb, i'm glad you picked up on the "same courtesy" (or i'm surprised i picked up on it as a man). i haven't seen such passive aggressiveness written so blatantly in some time.

i think your expression that "they gave you their power" is right on. as someone who has done a number of creative projects that are out on the marketplace. it's scary to know that people will judge it at some level, but that part of it & you deal with it.

What? MB's reviewed a book on her blog and the ...

2007-01-16T17:17:00.000-06:00

What?

MB's reviewed a book on her blog and the authors have reacted _like THIS_?

Keep posting the reviews, MB. They are incisive and articulate. It was thought-provoking for me, as a mum, to hear your comments on this book and I, for one, thank you for sharing in detail your views on it.

I'm sorry that you received this reaction. Sadly, encounters like this might deter some people from continuing to enjoy the freedom of expression that the world of blogging has opened up to us - none of us, I hope.

And finally, Thanks for shaking your heads (and ...

2007-01-14T21:18:00.000-06:00

And finally,

Thanks for shaking your heads (and chuckling) along with me as this has played out!

The horse is dead, I know, but two things remain a...

2007-01-14T21:16:00.000-06:00

The horse is dead, I know, but two things remain a mystery to me...

1. Even if only for a few days, why would these ladies give me so much power? They're the ones with the book, the radio show, and all the answers. I'm a nobody in Armpit, TN. It baffles me.

2. As for not responding to you directly we extended to you the same courtesy you extended to us by not writing to us directly.

What does this mean? Was I supposed to just zip them an e-mail containing my thoughts on the book rather than publishing it on my blog? If that's the case, there are a lot of authors' e-mail addresses that I need to collect because I'm sure they're all waiting on the edges of their seats to hear what I have to say about what they write!

The plot thickens: 1. Roughly four hours after I...

2007-01-14T21:13:00.000-06:00

The plot thickens:

1. Roughly four hours after I published this blog post I was finally admitted to the MomsTown forums. Coincidence? You decide.

2. Roughly 24 hours after I published this blog post the entire "Need Your Help" thread from Mary at Momstown was deleted. Interesting.

Mary Beth, I just wanted to say that I really enjo...

2007-01-14T16:50:00.000-06:00

Mary Beth, I just wanted to say that I really enjoy reading your opinions on your blog. If people choose to write and publish a book on parenting, more so on being a mother, people are going to have opinions on it. And people are going to post about it on their blog. I hope you keep saying what you think.

...just sitting back chuckling to myself over this...

2007-01-13T21:04:00.000-06:00

...just sitting back chuckling to myself over this whole thing...

Hello Mary Beth, after seeing the post from Mary ...

2007-01-13T02:32:00.000-06:00

Hello Mary Beth,

after seeing the post from Mary & Heather, and your response, I feel like I need to come back and give you an apology. Not for what I said as part of "the possee", but for doing EXACTLY what I hate about so many others on the internet. I became judgmental and catty, and just let it all out based on your one comment.

Reading all the subsequent comments, I am sad that we all take the opportunity to bitch and judge. I think it is natural for us to side with those we know and like. I did. I did so because I have seen a side of Mary & Heather that you have not. It had nothing to do with their book, I just thought your comments were unfair. Being that you are a "public figure" in your community, and you obviously have some followers here also, I felt that your judgment and opinion would hinder someone who could benefit from this book.

With that said, I have a blog myself, and have often stepped on toes with my opinions. Though you and I lead totally different lives and would probably never be friends, I believe we would all fare better as women if we could respect our differences and learn from each other.

I don't think defending something you create and put your heart and sweat into makes you less professional, I think it makes you human and shows your passion. Yes, once you put your creation out into the world you are open for opinions, both positive and negative. On some days these opinions get too personal, and they rub you the wrong way. Then, if you decide to comment, you become: 1. bitchy 2. unable to accept criticism 3. unprofessional, etc. And those that support you become your possee :). Too funny.

Anyways, it is late and I would hate to give the grammar police any more ammunition, so I will leave it at that and wish you much success in your quest as a SAHM.

Deep sigh on your behalf. Guess disagreeing once a...

2007-01-12T19:53:00.000-06:00

Deep sigh on your behalf. Guess disagreeing once again means its a personal attack against those you disagree with, though this time I will possibly not jump in and write my own blog about it for fear of... well, you know. And, like in a similar situation from the not-so-distant past, suddenly other people's comments on MB's blog are MB's opinions.
Go back and read over the comments and make sure you know who said what before you start hurling things. Everyone.
I guess one of the breaks of publishing -- whether a book or a series of books or a simple weblog -- is the fact that other people are looking and other people have opinions. Just because you disagree with them doesn't mean you're foolish or look stupid.
And I think that people who publish and have public lives whether in the pulpit, on television or radio, or even on the internet should grasp the fact that sometimes there are people who aren't going to like what you have to say, and it's time to accept it and get over it, and not necessarily call all your friends to gang up on anyone who's not a sycophant.
Good luck everyone. Have it all.

Mary Beth, must you always be stirring the pot?! L...

2007-01-12T18:55:00.000-06:00

Mary Beth, must you always be stirring the pot?! LOL :) It occurs to me that the last time your blog got this much negative attention, it was also in regards to your literary opinions. Who knew a good old girl turned pastor turned mom held so much sway in the book industry? Maybe a call to Harper Collins is in order!

Honestly, though, Mary and Heather, you published ...

2007-01-12T16:54:00.000-06:00

Honestly, though, Mary and Heather, you published a book that, judging from the amazon.com reviews, people love or hate. You sort of have to just deal with that, don't you?

Why are you running around the internet griping at people who don't like your book? It really isn't customary to rally one's troops against a reader who didn't care for your work. It kind of makes you seem...pathetic. You know, like you need everyone to either be kissing your tootsies or be quiet.

Nobody gets that, especially not (bad) writers. Grow up.

Oh, and by the way, Mary and Heather, if you are s...

2007-01-12T15:45:00.000-06:00

Oh, and by the way, Mary and Heather, if you are still watching, while I didn't really think much about you or your writing from MB's post, your own actions and words about MB's blog have persuaded me never to purchase any of your books.

My goodness, what a hornet's nest you have stirred...

2007-01-12T15:25:00.000-06:00

My goodness, what a hornet's nest you have stirred on this one, MB!

I have to say that I am somewhat disturbed by the policing of the internet for comments related to their work and the seriousness with which they treat the "blogosphere."

God knows I have slammed books (as well as praised them) to friends and family. Who knew our opinons were up for debate with the authors? It seems quite odd that professionals would spend so much of their time defending their work in your small slice of the internet.

I suppose you should feel proud that your opinion was taken this seriously.

Perhaps next time when we dislike a text we should all first forward our comments to the author(s) for approval....

Hello Mary Beth, Heather and I have been pressed ...

2007-01-12T13:55:00.000-06:00

Hello Mary Beth,

Heather and I have been pressed by a deadline on our manuscript due today. As for not responding to you directly we extended to you the same courtesy you extended to us by not writing to us directly.

We also did not deny access to you or anyone else on our forum intentionally. We are trying filters to stop spam.

As for your letter we posted it in our forum in its entirety.

Mary

"We feel she not only judged us unfairly, she's un...

2007-01-12T13:38:00.000-06:00

"We feel she not only judged us unfairly, she's unfairly judged MomsTown. A place where we support all moms."

Why don't ya'll support all grammar too?

Feel free to delete this, Mary Beth, I don't want you to get in more hot water with the possee, it was just too funny to skip.