Being a writer is a tricky proposition if you’re going public. Recently, in one of my posts someone took umbrage at my point of view. Note, there was a clear disclaimer outlining people who subscribed to the counter policy weren’t wrong. I’ve been chewing on it for a couple of days now. Not because I care about ticking someone off, I’m a Bitch. I’ll own it.

It’s pretty much the common state of affairs in my world. I’m irked because this nitpicker didn’t read my post carefully. This person illustrated one of my particular pet peeves. Selective listening and investing their self-value in what I think. Okay, that’s two.

I tried to smooth it out in the comments section without saying, “Did you read the friggin’ post?” Let’s face it, if you’re a regular visitor to my writing you know I’m a bit of a smart ass. No, seriously I am.

This thinking process brings me back around to being a writer developing a relationship with new readers. I’m quite charming in my own way. I chat at the grocery store. I’ll chat at the liquor store. I like to know the people I frequently see and treat them with kindness and interest. I don’t really like chatting folks up for sales because I hate salespeople who try to work me.

If you ask me about The Writing Staff….forget it, I’ll never shut up. If you ask me what I do, I’ll tell you I’m a writer. If you ask me about my book, I’ll talk all you like. If the subject comes and goes, I let it drop. The Beard is much more driven to sell me as a writer. I also have a soul sista Stephanie Trotter-Zacharia who is fabulous in this department. I know this is counterproductive to my success as a writer.

Back to this disgruntled reader, I have strong opinions about my behavior. I have strong opinions about good human behavior in general, but outside of my personal circle, I don’t invest too much in what anyone else does. Believe me, this isn’t the first person I’ve rubbed the wrong way.

I’m not sure how much of my boldness (nice synonym) I should tone down to please the masses. I’ve never looked to please the masses before I devoted full time to writing. I wasn’t much good at office politics when I was a teacher either.

I’m left with this idea to ponder. I hope to sell books and develop an audience. I’d like to be Neil Gaiman when I grow up. Hey, Beard, that makes you Amanda Palmer…tee hee. Where’s the balance between being true to the person I’ve survived hell to become and the writer I am but need to sell?

Whew, that’s a terrible sentence, but you get the point.