Forum: Author Hangout

There's yet another constructive voice on the Forums about to be swept aside. While you may not agree with everything he said, or his approach when confronted, he's always tried to act as intermediary in any 'literary' dispute.

Now, because he keeps getting penalized for being attacked, he's threatening to walk and talk his roster of up-and-coming authors with him. Even if you're not a fan of Ross's, that's a loss to the entire reading community.

People, we need to work together rather than picking random fights. If you're not interested in grammar specifics, then simply don't read the grammar discussions, it's that simple. Continually repeating that 'no one can dictate what I write or what I say' was never in dispute. Instead, you're only attacking those people who are offering the requested details.

Frankly, if Ross walks, we may lose more than just him and his authors. I've increasing watched as the Author's Forum has shriveled as more and more authors refrain from discussing craft because each time they do, they get attacked for it.

I'm getting tired of it myself. While I'm not prepared to abandon the site, I'm getting pretty tired of the poor reception when I answer someone questions or critiques (trying to clarify issues, rather than retaliating).

Unfortunately, this battle is being waged in secret, as each time Ross is prodded, he erupts and gets reported. When that happens, the entire thread ends up being deleted, so no one ever sees what provoked the original attack.

So let's stop raging these 'secret wars'. If you dis agree with someone, discuss the ideas. Don't attack the individual, and don't run to pappy every time a discussion doesn't go your way.

Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll avoid the forum for a few days. Not only is there less content here than normal, but the attitudes are driving me bonkers (and yes, I've been among those contributing by over-reacting to things).

Update: Well, Ross is already burning bridges. Rather than listening to rational advice, he's now disowning anyone who won't throw themselves on his funeral pyre. I seriously doubt we'll ever see him return, and I have no clue how his (mostly unposted) authors will respond: leaving to or attempting to find new editors willing to stick around rather than abandoning them.

For any editors, there appear to be a few openings which have recently come available. Contact me if you're interested. :(

CW,

I agree with you that Ross appears to have used his knowledge with a positive intent.

Unfortunately, I think his ego got involved for it appears to me that in trying to offer advice, he created situations that led to disputes with other posters and then he apparently became upset because the other poster did not agree with him. That led to him expressing his anger by telling the other poster to stop saying certain things to him and to leave him alone. The altercations that he engaged in with other posters were not conducive of a pleasant environment in the Forum. Yes, I acknowledge that I also engage in disputes with other posters, so I am not blameless in that regard.

As almost everyone knows, I have a personal issue with Ross. His leaving may be a loss to the SOL community; but personally, I will not be sad to see him go.

I must have missed something ... and am glad I did.