Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Why I'm leaving Wattpad...

As a certain lovely Brit actor once said, "If it stops being fun, then it needs to stop entirely."

Sadly, this has become the case with Wattpad. As a writer, I appreciate constructive criticism. But when things get personal, that's where I draw the line. I have enured a lot of distasteful remarks about my work, which I am willing to accept, because I know that not everyone's tastes are the same. But when people send me personal hate-filled rants or tell me the way they think my stories should be written, that's when I can no longer remain passive. Thus, I've decided to remove my work from Wattpad.

For those who are fans, have no fear. I won't be abandoning you. I will still be offering my work here on the blog, and I will be doing giveaways. But in order to avoid hostile readers, I will be limiting activities to my blog. I hope everyone understands.

P.S. : To the fans who have supported me and continue to do so, God bless.

P.S.S. : I love my Gisborne ladies. You know who you are. :)

29 comments:

  1. I am so sorry it has come to this for you. The intentional cruelty of people online bothers me to no end and it is so NEEDLESS. *hugs*

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  2. That is horrible. As someone who has just found your work, Im glad you are not removing it entirely - I have a lot to catch up on. Im really sorry you had to put up with that kind of behaviour. I just dont get why they do it!

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    1. Some people just hate for no reason, I suppose. It will be easier just to keep things over here where at least I can moderate comments.

      Thanks for being so supportive!

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  3. What?!? A few despicable people can ruin it for everyone? What a shame! I'm doody to hear that it's come to this. You're one of the first featured authors at Wattpad. Can't they shut down these trolls?

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    1. This has been a problem for a long time, and not just on Wattpad. Most of the hatefulness had been through private messages, and in the past, I've tried not to pay attention to it. But lately it's really been getting to me. I don't think there's much that Wattpad moderators can do. If one hater gets taken to task, another pops up in their place. It's just easier for me to keep my work here on the blog, where at least I can moderate things myself.

      I appreciate the support. Hope things are well with you. :)

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  4. I'm sorry things got so bad, Sarah!
    It's appaling that it happens, and as a long time
    an of your writing, I can't believe this.

    Know that there are loads if people who appreciate your work, and good luck with any stories you work on later.

    xXx

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    1. Thank you for your kindness.

      As a long-time reader, you know I've been writing my Gisborne stories since around 2009. From the start, I've established some wonderful friendships and found more support than I could have hoped for. But I've also had a constant torrent of spitefullness as well, particularly with "The Tempest." I don't know what it is about that story that gets some people so fired up.

      Ah, well. I can't please everyone. But I certainly love the wonderful ladies, like yourself, who have always been so lovely to me. And don't worry. I have many more stories to tell. :)

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  5. I love the Gisbornes Books. I hate that you have to do this but you got to do what is best for you. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I would love to keep my stories in the public eye, i.e. Wattpad, but it's becoming quite stressful for the reasons stated.

      I'll be keeping everyone updated on the progress of current and future works. I promise. :)

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  7. I love ur stories, and i'm glad to be able to keep reading them here. So thank you very much. And it is horrible that people is just cruel for no reason.

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    1. I'm very happy you enjoy my work, and I'm glad to be able to share my stories with everyone. There will be more to come in the future. :)

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  8. That's a real shame. :( Still, I understand your decision.

    "Live and let live" as the saying says. It's so simple to leave a page whose content you dislike or does nothing for you, you only have to make a click the way you would change channels when watching TV.

    Glad to know you'll still be sharing your work here. I'm looking forward to reading any other Sir Guy-inspired prose you might produce in the future.

    Good luck with your writing!

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  9. That's a real shame.:( Still, I understand your decision.

    "Live and let live" as the saying goes. There's a way to leave a page whose content you don't like or does nothing for you, you can just make a click as you would change channels when watching TV. Nobody forces you to read anything, right?

    Glad to know you'll keep sharing your work here. I look forward to reading any other Sir Guy-inspired prose you might produce in the future.

    Good luck with your writing!

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  10. Charlotte, I'm so sorry that you have had to put up with ones who seem to have nothing better to do than to cast nasty dispossession on you. Shame on them and their rotten bunch!!!

    I'm one of so many that love your Gisborne Books!! The very first book, "The Tempest" made me a fan of your and I so loved reading again and again the other books about this fantastic family!

    Thank you so much for not abandoning your true fans/readers! I look forward to reading more of your work! Thank you for adding so much to my reading experience!

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  11. Charlotte, I'm so sorry that you have had to put up with ones who seem to have nothing better to do than to cast nasty dispossession on you. Shame on them and their rotten bunch!!!

    I'm one of so many that love your Gisborne Books!! The very first book, "The Tempest" made me a fan of your and I so loved reading again and again the other books about this fantastic family!

    Thank you so much for not abandoning your true fans/readers! I look forward to reading more of your work! Thank you for adding so much to my reading experience!

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  12. Hang in there, sweetie!!! You have a lot of support from ones who love reading your books.

    Your book, "The Tempest", introduced me to the Gisborne family and I have loved reading and re-reading these books!!!

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  13. Wattpad has a blocking feature, just find the ignore user on the their profile and no longer will they be able to contact you.

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  14. Dear Sarah,
    as you know I've been reading and enjoying all your Gisborne novels. I've almost entirely stopped reading stories on Wattpad due to the many unqualified comments I've encountered about stories I'm reading or have read. I don't know what makes people want to hurt those who have taken the courage to publish what they have written. A well-thought friendly criticism might be alright but everything else is well out of order. I can understand entirely that you don't want to deal with that kind of harassment any longer. xxx
    Suse (@suse_06)

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  15. You are definitely one of the better writers on wattpad. I love your work, It is incomprehensible to me that people would bully you into leaving. It is not cool that you have to deal with that kind of negativity, but I suppose there are always a few bad apples that ruin it for everyone else on an open forum like wattpad. I am sure you would have all kinds of followers defend you by sending those who would harass you, messages if you let us know who they are and what they are saying. I have done it before. I am not one to comment much, but am happy to protest an injustice when I see someone bring treated unfairly

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  16. You are one of the better writers on wattpad. I love your work and am disappointed you are leaving. It is incomprehensible to me that you would be bullied into leaving wattpad. You definitely should not have to deal with that kind of negativity, but in an open forum like wattpad I suppose it comes with the territory, although it really should not. I am sure you have a lot of fans who would defend you with messages back to those who are harassing you if you let us in on who they are and what they are saying. I have done it before for writers on wattpad. I don't comment a lot, because I often don 't know what to recommend to writers to improve their writing when I am already enjoying it(such as yours), but I am happy to defend someone when I see injustice happening. Anyways, I am sorry you are leaving watt pad, but wish you all the best.

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  17. Oh Charlotte!
    I wish you weren't leaving Wattpad! It won't be the same without you! But as your friend, I support you in your choice.

    You have to know that there are many more people like me who love your stories! You have a lilting way of telling stories that keeps me captivated time and again.

    The few malcontents leaving any negative comments are just itching to be nasty in general. Unfortunately, they seem to have fixated on you, based on your remarks above. It's too bad Wattpad doesn't have a "block" feature.

    but I will continue to enjoy your stories here on your blog and on my kindle.

    Love & Hugs! Grati ;->

    P.S. I'm not really online just now. I'm supposed to be resting my eyes and I sneaked on. Dang!

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  18. What a shame! Still, there are other sites - I highly recommend Book Country for critiques. I've moved my opening chapters onto there, and the review process is very helpful. I think it's great you're still connecting with your fans, and totally respect your decision.

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  19. I will always be a big fan of yours and a supporter of your work! The Gisborne stories are my favorite and I wish you much continued fun writing!!!!

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  20. I'm sad to hear about that. :-(

    Some people are just jealous of other people's work...

    I will continue to follow you here. :-)

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  21. I'm big fan of The Gisborne stories,thank you for your work:)
    Sincerely yours Joanna from Poland :)

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  22. If they're not happy about the way you write something, why can't they try writing something the way THEY like it? Oh wait, I guess they CAN'T - which is why they're complaining!

    *shakes head*

    Sorry you've had to deal with such idiots. I think you're a terrific writer. :)

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  23. I am shocked to read about this. I wonder if these same people would that to Stephen King? Well, you did what you had to do. You write beautifully!

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