Authors supporting other Authors. Thoughts and what I've learned on the writer's forums.

I've always thought that if you participate in a forum exchanging knowledge you should be supportive of each other. During the two months I worked toward self-publishing, I spent a lot of time one a single forum. During that time, I did BETA reads, if a BETA read was done to me I downloaded work and reviewed it, if a post for a 99 cent special or release went up, I got the book and reviewed it. Basic courtesy and support. Part of keeping my postie outlook and having the positive come to me.

It would be nice to say it worked out that way on my writer's forum. I've said this more than once: God, it feels like high school! The authors in my own, private, tight-knit working click have been terrific. But everyone else? When I posted new release not one person on the forum either posted well wishes or downloaded the book. It made me question myself, how I am, and I hated that. I'm glad though at the end of the day it didn't change me.

I still believe positive brings positive result. That people in a work cooperative should be supportive. I still post notes and download work I would be interested in reading. That's me.  It is sort of like how you should feel about what you write. There will be negative results there, but if you believe in the work, you shouldn't let it change you.

The toughest test in anything you do is staying true to yourself when there is a lot around fighting to change you!