Especially when you're depressed about crap that doesn't matter.
It all started a couple days ago when I commented about someone on FF.net who pisses me off. Honest101. For those of you who don't know who she is, consider yourself lucky. She has a forum dedicated to flaming the PJO community.
Now I replied on a forum for people who don't like her. And here's what I said:
"OK so I.ve grown up a little since the last time I posted here. And I've come to realize a few things:
I still disagree with what you are doing. There are several problems with flaming. I've read a lot of your "reviews" which mostly consist of "This is horrible" with the occasional "Get a beta reader" or something attached. This is not even successful flaming. This is complete and utter garbage. If you went on to one of my stories and said that, I'd laugh at you. And if you're so concerned with bad writing, why don't you write something and become a beta reader? That's what I'm going to do.
Also, in case you didn't know, or just didn't care, there is indeed a human being on the other end of that screen. A human being with feelings. Outright flaming them will do nothing to make them a better writer. And personally, I'd like to see a person grow from a story riddled with bad plots and Mary-Sues to one who can write something decent. Telling them "This is horrible" without telling why does nothing. So instead of flaming, why not concrit? As hard as it may be, find at least one positive aspect about a story. It can be something like spelling or grammar or keeping characters' personalities. Then, find the things they need to improve on. In the long run, it will help them a lot more, which means (eventually) less bad stories for you to read.
So yes. I don't like you, Honest. I don't like what you're doing here. We can be polite and constructive without flaming. And no, I will not parade around with one of your "I hate Honest" avatars because that would just give you satisfaction. Good day to you, sir and/or madam."
A little preachy perhaps, but that's how I felt. I expected to get hate mail from the Veritas (her little groupies) for that, but nothing of this magnitude.
So I checked my email later and found this.
"Okay, give me a second to switch over to Verita mode.
Well, first of all, retard, in case you've not noticed Honest101 is GONE. She
has been gone for at least six months. She's obviously not comng back. So, why
are YOU here?
You're basically talking to air, anyway. There are so many other flamers out
there right now, and you choose to scold the inactive one? That shows me you
have no guts at all.
Second, Honest101 is a girl. She has only said it... what? A hundred times,
two hundred? So, you scold inactive flamers AND you can't comprehend it when
someone says "I'm a girl,"? No wonder your stories suck so badly."
Needless to say, I was hurt. Crushed really. I knew I shouldn't let it get to me, but it hurt anyway. All the same.
I have replied since then, but I am now afraid to check my email because I am scared to be hurt again like that. I had to go onto the forum to copy what I said and there is now another person involved.
I don't know what to do. I know I have to face them eventually, but I don't know how.
If you guys wanna read the rest, here:
[link]ADVICE PLEASE!
tl;dr: I need advice. Help!