Today I Was Reminded Why I Love Writing!

Infinite Tales Await

For weeks, perhaps months, a shadow has been cast over my greatest passion: writing. The source of this creeping frustration? A persistent, disheartening pattern of unfair treatment on Goodreads. My reviews, meticulously crafted and honestly given, have been repeatedly removed, flagged as "illegitimate" by a select few individuals hiding behind anonymous avatars. I’ve reported this action countless times, yet the pattern persists, leaving me feeling unheard and unjustly targeted.

This isn't merely an inconvenience; it feels like an attack on my voice, and by extension, on the very spirit of open discussion that platforms like Goodreads claim to champion. Let me discuss how this insidious behavior hurts me, and indeed, countless fellow authors.

As an indie author, the stakes are incredibly high. We pour our souls, our countless hours of research, and our deepest passions into every single word. Every manuscript is a labor of love, born from a desire to tell a story that resonates. Sadly, sales are notoriously difficult to come by in the indie world. We often spend our last cent marketing our books, hoping for that elusive recognition that often comes in the form of reader reviews; both positive and negative. Everyone, including authors, has the fundamental right to freedom of speech.

Yet, this right seems to be selectively applied. We have the right to choose how we write our books, how we design our covers, and the tools we employ to bring our vision to life. Many times, hiring a professional graphic artist is simply out of reach for indie authors. In my case, the publisher I chose may or may not have utilized Artificial Intelligence to create covers or assist with editing. Either way, let me be perfectly clear: selecting such methods is not illegal.

I am profoundly saddened by the negative attacks leveled at authors simply because a reviewer on Goodreads seems to believe they possess infallible knowledge about whether a book was or wasn't written with Artificial Intelligence. I know, without a doubt, the years I have spent meticulously researching the Celtic lore and history that breathes life into my stories. To have that dedication dismissed, to have my authenticity questioned by someone hiding behind an avatar, is infuriating and deeply insulting.

Stop being bullies. Let us authors write our books. You may love them, or you may hate them – that is your unequivocal right, your opinion, and one I respect. But it is not okay to be a bully, to hide behind an avatar, and to decide, with absolute certainty and zero proof, an author's fate. Enough is enough!

For a time, these unwarranted attacks had indeed stolen some of my joy. They chipped away at the very reason I embarked on this journey: the sheer, unadulterated love of storytelling. But today, amidst the frustration, a flicker rekindled into a flame. Today, I was powerfully reminded why I love writing. It is the act of creation, the weaving of worlds, the sharing of stories that truly matters. And no amount of online vitriol can ever extinguish that fire within me.