“A person who publishes a book appears willfully (wilfully) in public with his pants down.” - Edna St. Vincent Millay - 1892-1950, American Poet
“If you are going to tell people the truth, be funny or they will kill you.” - Billy Wilder - 1906-, American Film Director
"There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." - Oscar Wilde - 1856 - 1900, British Author
These are three separate quotes that I and any aspiring author - whether they are amateur blogger’s, or seasoned poets - can relate to. How many times has something you have written been questioned so voraciously that you feel like you are being humiliated to the level where your pant’s are at your ankles?
How many times have you remarked something that would normally incite a little hatred - yet you have attached a little joke to it, so it has been disregarded as a passing comment? Or by the same token, how many times have you remarked the same thing, without the joke, and had the hounds baying for your blood?
How many times have you sat in random obscurity, not minding that people aren’t paying attention to you, but kind of wishing they would listen and acknowledge what they have to say? Sure, they might not have some nice things to say about you - but they are still drawing attention to whatever it is that you had to say, and surely you can find some like minded (add a hyphen) individuals?
Ah - the trick of the written word, it can be stated that it truly is a skill to be mastered, and without other communication aids such as body language - anything you say is up to the readers interpretation. The skill in writing lies within making sure the readers perception is in line with your expression.
Any multi-national corporation will tell you that there is no such thing as bad publicity - McDonalds will tell you that their revenue is as high as ever, in spite of anti-globalisation protests and film’s like Morgan Sperlock’s ‘Supersize Me’ Conglomerations like Nike and Coca-Cola will tell you the same, profits are as high as ever, because people know about their products and overlook and negative connotations associated with them - in spite of constant calls by activists to refrain from support of these organisations.
It’s a shame, because even terrorist’s subscribe by this theory, thinking the murder of innocents will bring attention to their cause -I am amazed by this, even though it is bringing attention to their cause, the negative attention they receive surely outweighs any possible advocacy of their objectives?
Would the bombing stop if no one paid attention? Would people write if no one read? Would Nike employ child labour if no one made a fuss? And would Coke corrupt water supplies of 3rd world nations if no one cared?
Any author is familiar with the tactic of hyperbolic titles, it is one we see often, and many don’t seem to care about the negative attention they receive, because, at the end of the day, it is still attention. If you can’t handle the negative attention, you need to ask yourself how you brought it about - it goes without saying, to receive positive acclamations, always be prepared for the detractions you will no doubt receive…
When you have your pants around your ankles - are you well endowed? Or are you going to shrivel up into the cold night air and get back into your corner? - That was me being funny, because it’s the truth, and I don’t want you to kill me.
BAM!!!