~ Sticks and Stones ~
by T. Stratton


Disclaimers:

I decided to write this because of all the hate mail that is going around and what it is doing to a lot of people. Some are taking their works off the net and will not share what they write any more. I personally think that is sad. Sad that hate has driven off some great people.

I personally have yet to get any hate mail. If I ever do I will just basically tell the person if they keep bugging me to kiss my ass. I don't write for them. I write for myself. I share it because it makes me happy to know others out there read what I write. Like it; hate it; don't really care either way?..that is life?.can't please everyone. So why try?

There is enough hate in this world?why make more?

Thank #2!!

Tinstrttn@aol.com feedback is welcome?


"Sticks and stones can break my bone, but words may never hurt me." I said to myself repeatedly. "Why do their words effect me like they do? It is small group of people's view; just one small group who doesn't like what I have put out there for the whole entire world to read."

I stand up and begin to pace. "Well, maybe more than a small group hate's what I write, but at least THEY don't write me and slam me with such harshness. Why does one small group of individual's opinion, mull around inside my head until it boils over into everything I do?"

I make my way outside onto the deck and look up at all the stars. "Does this group not have better things to do than sit around and send out this..this?crap?" I notice a plane's blinking lights as it flies off into the distance. "This group must be pretty bored and lonely to find time to continually criticize what I write." I inhale deeply and then, let it out slowly. "I have lost count of how many people have received mail just like I have. It has become an epidemic. Hateful words spread so easily that it kills the nature of everything."

"I can't imagine how one small group can bring down so many. Hate truly is a strong force, but I can't let it win. I won't let it win. These people will not antagonize me enough to stop what I am doing." I slap the palms of my hands against wooden railing I am standing next to. "If words can be used to slam and hurt people, why can't they be used to stop this person? I need to encourage readers that for every negative criticism they see, they need to send out ten positive one."

I walk back into the house and towards my desk. I turn on my computer and wait for it to log in. "I won't let these people run my life. I won't let them ruin what I love to do, what I love to share. My stories are a piece of me and I will fight for them with the very strength of my soul."

I click on my mouse and bring up my word program. "I wonder if my next story will piss them off enough to send me more hate mail. I so do love to get under someone's skin."



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