(First of all, I want to thank K.C. Neal so much for her willingness to help organize an event to bring awareness to cyber bullying/in-person bullying. She has been incredibly supportive during my writing journey and even now, I consider her a wealth of information. Thanks again, Kate! =D
I don’t know what it is about my writing, but it has unfortunately sparked bullying on several occasions.
The first time it happened, I was 12. A lot of exciting things were going on in my life at the time, including the recent win of a nationwide short story contest. I was ecstatic; the accomplishment was something I had never experienced before. However, my classmates weren’t so pumped about it. In fact, I could tell they were jealous.
During the weeks following the win, I was the brunt of several girls’ jokes. They’d tell me to give up because I’d never be “popular” like them. Some told me my writing wouldn’t amount to anything. Some passed notes about me when I was asked to read my writing project to the class. (Believe me, I intercepted those notes later…but my crazy spy alter-ego is a story for another time.)
Things only got worse after one of my stories were featured on the PBS Kid’s show “Zoom”. If anyone cared, they didn’t show it. Most chose to ignore it. Thankfully, I received overwhelming support from Sarah, my childhood friend and best friend to this day. She taught me how to be strong. And I overcame my middle school years on a high note.
Flash forward 12 years. After a year of writing and a year and a half of planning, my debut novel Alex in Wunderstrande was released in November 2011. This time, however, I had overwhelming support from family, friends, and co-workers. Things were looking up…until it happened again.
But the setting wasn’t a middle school, it was online. I was reviewing YouTube comments and noticed a plethora of vicious comments directed toward me, my work, and my friends. Not only that, but I stumbled across a website that was dedicated to bashing my efforts under the guise of “constructive criticism”. While some members had semi-valid points, others took the opportunity to attack my work and leave a black smudge on a project I was trying so hard to promote.
For some reason, the only thing I could think of was, “Damn. I am 24 years old and I’m still the brunt of middle-school- like bullying. When will it end?”
But that’s the thing: cyber bullying (or in person bullying) can happen to anyone, at any age, anywhere. Unfortunately, it has become more prevalent with the birth of social networking. People feel like they can better attack others while remaining semi-anonymous. But in reality, it just makes bullies come off as cowardly.
My heart goes out to all who have been or are victims of bullying. You do not have to face it alone. Today, during what I hope is just the beginning of the “Spread <3, Not Hate” movement, I wish to encourage all who have ever experienced something like this. You are wonderful and amazing. Remember that bullies only do what they do because they are jealous or have some sort of inner conflictions about themselves. Remember, you are not alone. Talk to trusted friends and family members if you’re having a hard time coping.
There are people out there who want to see you succeed. Just take a deep breath, hold your head high, and keep on doing what you do best. All those bullies won’t know what to do with all that confidence. :)
Speak Out Against Online Bullying: February 3
Have you been a victim of online bullying? You're not alone. Join me and author K.C. Neal on February 3 for the "Spread <3, Not Hate" initiative.
We invite you to join us and speak out against bullying on your blog on February 3rd. Here's how:
1. Scroll down this post to where it says "You are next... Click here to enter" and click the link. Enter your blog name, URL, email, and name. (The email will be used to send out a reminder a day before.)
2. Schedule or plan to put up your post first thing on February 3rd (you can publish it the night before if that's easier). Be sure to grab the button code for the event (see below) so you can include the button in your post. You're more than welcome to display the button or badges on your blog prior to the event.
Your post can be about anything related to bullying - tell a story about something you experienced (online or in real life), something you witnessed, a time when you stood up for someone who was bullied (or wish you would have), or just write a short message of support.
3. Please help us spread the word. I will be telling my story on February 3rd, and I'll be blogging, too, of course. Thank you <3!
Dear Reader,
I used to think being an author was unobtainable and that my love for the craft of writing would go unnoticed forever. After receiving a slew of rejection letters for my first novel in 2007, I wondered if publishing was for me. I wrestled with the mindset that my writing wasn’t good enough and that my story was not as intriguing as it should be. I did not have an agent, knew hardly anything about submitting a novel and frankly, I didn’t have any patience.
Now, nearly five years later, I am finally at peace. Not only have I greatly improved in my writing, but I’ve learned more about how the publishing process works. Most importantly, I’ve learned more about myself.
The face of media has greatly changed since I first started pitching that particular novel. On-demand printing has skyrocketed (especially in digital forms for e-readers), and serves as a legitimate and simple way for any author to market their ideas. I hold a degree in Communications and figured it is time to put what I’ve learned into use and market my new writing project on my own.
With the help of social media and an amazing team of people helping to make the release of my book a reality, I’m confident I am taking the first steps of a beautiful journey.
That said, I give you Book One of the Alex in Wunderstrande Series: The Clairvoyance Clock.
K. M. Parr
PS. Be sure to read all my blogs here.
