The Problem with Online Writing Groups

This is going to be an issue with those who join writing groups hoping for the support they need, yeah, there are some that are great, some who legit care. Though there are those who don't, just want to use the group as some way to find others who can write their way! 

I joined one such group called Writing Fiction on Facebook, the admins were relatively good to start with, they were open, to start with. But recently I saw red flags coming, one came in the form of a gentleman who was asking about doing a political thriller about something similar to COVID-19, I was like cool. I was about to ask a question regarding it, when comments were turned off, there was nothing even remotely hostile in the comments. I was interested and felt a little turned off about the way this one admin, Heather was acting. She was basically putting up posts and some saying, "You can't do this or you can't do that. 

So for me, I posted a piece of my cover art, which was on my phone, I was nowhere near my laptop to submit a piece of art for others to see. I was frustrated when the comments were turned off with HEATHER posting, "You cannot post work promoting your book, all posts like this will be deleted." Yeah, I was turned off, I was frustrated and I just let it go, but then it turned int something else when I saw the post from the same guy asking if anyone else was feeling uncomfortable.

I posted that I felt uncomfortable about my artwork, I just felt very upset that was told something, I felt like Heather was telling me that I was promoting my book, when I did post, "This is a SAMPLE!" I don't do well cropping with my book on a phone. A few people asked and yeah I posted pictures of my artwork in the private messenger. 

This morning the Admin Heather posts yet again the "You can't promote your work," and I decided to also emphasize something else, "You cannot post your own artwork for your book because it is for promoting your book,. You might as well TRASH IT!" 

She turned off comments and said, "Stop complaining." 

I did message the bitch and tell her, "I'm considering leaving your group, it is entirely too hostile here and it doesn't do well for me, good luck to you." I was done, I was finished with the group and tried to warn another group and I was told that my attitude was a problem. So I left Writers Helping Writers, I figured I'm done dealing with people who do this shit to authors. This is not about popularity, artwork, or who makes what. 

I am still upset that people are being treated like shit! It isn't fair toauthors who join a group and then get blasted for asking a question. So for my friends and fans I want to make sure you guys understand that when you join groups, you don't need to take crap! 

I was cyberbullied and it did delay my book...

When I mention to people I had my book since 2013 being edited and worked on, I was not lying, and there was a huge reason. I was being cyberbullied by a person who spent his time picking on me. I was upset and it made me not want to help anyone. While I mention that this was a thing that happened, it was painful nonetheless and it made for the worst case of not thinking I was capable of writing, but I still worked on the book regardless.

The person who did this was called regretfulflyer, a person who was Facebook, Deviant Art, and many other sites I was on. I was forced to abandon my YouTube channel called Naginaoeofschwarz and go onto something better. I went into just not being interested in dealing with the drama. 

I felt alone until I was told by other Anime and Sci-Fi fans I wasn't, that this person was bullying others, he was kicked off a Furry group site. He was building on the idea that he was allowed to bully not just me, but everyone who disagreed with him. 

So yeah, I felt horribly and my book was put on hold because of those words and I also felt he would turn around accuse me of plagiarism. He wouldn't have much proof of that, I worked on the Dragon's Library and I worked so hard, the last I would need is him pulling that shit. 

I am hoping he never finds out or if he does, he doesn't attempt to attack me over it.  I grew a backbone because of my fiance and my friends, and I am going to wait for this to hit the fan, I'm going to wait for his brother (him) or himself to go after me.