Are You a Hater on Social Media?

HUGE thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh
and his cohosts, Nancy Gideon, Tamara Narayan, 
Liesbet @ Roaming About, and Feather Stone! 

You know those moments when you see the ugly side of humanity? Yeah, I had one of those this last month, regarding social media...

But before I get into that, a HUGE thanks to Operation Awesome for inviting me to share a guest post about running blog tours during the #AtoZChallenge. (Check it out!) Now back to our regular program...

We all know the rules: Behave yourself. Be polite. Don't be a troll.

Or at least we think we all know those rules. I had a moment where I began to wonder, seriously wonder if humanity is lost. Let me tell you about it. (And before we start spouting political opinions about the subject discussed in this thread, keep in mind this is about social conduct and respect, not political opinion. Please refrain from commenting about your like or dislike of President Trump.)

Recently I posted a status update on Facebook about the statement President Trump made at 3 AM after bombing the Syria airport that delivered chemical weapons. I was surprised by 3 things: the compassion you can't help but feel as he speaks, the fact he spoke of God (for the first time that I'd heard), and that he mentioned prayer. Really? All from the lips of Trump. And then, I expressed my hesitant support of the bomb drop with a hope it won't lead to further conflict.

Well, you know how people are. If you mention the word "Trump," (especially with any kind of positive spin) some will zero in on you as their next meal.

And this was the case.

Two such people decided to make my post a flaming war. The first, I asked to refrain from commenting so vehemently. After the second, I told them they were welcome to their opinions, but I liked mine more. (With a winky face.)

And then...

The one kept going, throwing insults at the President.

I asked him to quit.

He continued on.

I asked him to respect that this was my personal Facebook feed and to please refrain from commenting.

He continued by calling Trump a puppet.

Again, I asked him to stop.

At which point he made a public statement about how he was going to defriend me--because we couldn't be friends if I thought Trump had a sincere bone in his body.

Wow, right?

So I asked him to please carry out his threat, finishing with "This is MY feed, and I should be able to state how I feel. If you're too biased to live and let live, we're better of not associating."

Then he called Trump a nasty word on my feed.

And that was the point at which I began to lose faith in people. I do my research, and I admit to not knowing everything, but I don't write anything in social media without a great deal of thought. Now this is where things changed. Several friends (from both sides of the political spectrum) stepped up and called him out.

One person asked if this was the kind of world we live in--where you have to go unfriending everyone who disagrees with you, essentially taking your ball and going home.

Another person scolded him for using fowl language on my feed.

Yet another asked if he was an adult.

Someone else told him to grow up and stop being mean and hurtful.

And suddenly my faith was restored in people.

So if you're having one of those days where you've lost your faith in humanity, fear not. Good people are out there, quietly hovering. They just need a call to action. However, some people cannot see beyond their own noses to begin grasping even the concept of respect. If you're ever confronted by one of those, feel free to be the adult in the room and turn your back, unfriend, or walk away.

[And a quick aside: There's all this rhetoric about the US president, so much misinformation, propaganda, and hate. I have disagreed with pretty much every president in some regard, but I still respected the office. When an election is complete, an election is complete and the nation is supposed to come together as a whole and heal. That isn't happening. Is it because we can't be friends and disagree on political aspects? Tell me, what is going on, because I fear for the future of this great nation--and not because of Syrian or Russian retaliation.]

Two weeks ago, S.M. Boyce shared LICHGATES along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed was entered to win an eBook.

The game:

1. Before quitting to write full time, I used to work as a software tester and was even promoted to lead/deemed the project expert of the software.
2. I planned a cross-country move from Maryland to Washington state in 2 weeks, from idea to move-in.
3. Due to an addiction to glittery things, I own 24 carats worth of diamond jewelry.

The lie: #3. 

From Boyce: Though this isn't true, I do have a bit of a jewelry addiction after working at Zales Jewelers in my college years. I was my boss's favorite customer for quite awhile!

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Barbara Fisher!

Congrats, Barbara!

Speaking of people coming to our rescue, how about a rockin' Superhero book:

Sometimes the villain must create the hero.

The streets of Arcania are overrun with crime, deteriorating as a madman named Fortune makes himself at home. He shows no mercy, striking down anyone in his path – including Nova Benson’s little sister. Devastated, Nova vows to seek justice for her family, but aside from her freak strength and impenetrable skin, how is she supposed to stop a monster like Fortune?

Cole Warner wants to help people. Entrusted to keep his family’s secret, he’s also frustrated at having to hide his gift. He knows he could do more to help in the fight against Fortune. If he could convince his sister Penelope to join him, they might even have a chance at beating him. When Cole meets Nova, he realizes his whole world is about to change. And he’s going to welcome it with open arms.

Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan.

Then again, neither was becoming a superhero.

Buy your copy on Amazon.

Ready to meet the author?

Liz Long is a proud graduate of Longwood University. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her day job as Associate Editor includes writing for a magazine publisher in Roanoke, VA. She is also the director of the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference and the annual Roanoke Author Invasion.

Comic book readers and fans of CW Network smash hits Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Netflix’s Daredevil will root for Liz Long’s bestselling YA summer series as the HoA’s gifted teen superheroes attempt to save their city from its impending demise. The Donovan Circus series has best been described as "X-Men meets the circus." Adult horror story Witch Hearts tells the tale of a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. New Adult PNR A Reaper Made is about a teen Reaper who gets caught between falling in love or saving her sister's soul. All titles are available for paperback or ebook on Amazon. 

To learn more about Liz (including more information on her books, plus writing, marketing, and social media tips), visit her website: http://lizclong.com.

You might stumble across her on the couch in her slanket, singing about my Night Cheese (30 Rock, anyone?) while munching on brie and apples. Or smoked Gouda. 

Liz gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. If you guess the lie, right or wrong, you will be entered to win an eBook of SUPERNOVA. (Open internationally.) IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT WITH AN EMAIL ON THE PROFILE, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS OR EMAIL IT TO crystal@crystal-collier.com WITH YOUR SCREEN ALIAS.

You have until Tuesday, May 16th at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on May 17, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I've appeared as a Jeopardy contestant.
2. I have interviewed Kevin Costner and Bill Maher.
3. I was once involved in an FBI case.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you ever faced a cyberbully? What solution do you propose for healing the US? Have you met Liz Long? Do you like superhero books?

Vanished Awesomeness...

What are your feelings on the elderly? 

Image courtesy of Ishai Parasol

I met a gentleman this last week at the grocery store who had to be in his seventies. He was alone and purchasing a quick meal. I got the sense he didn't have anyone to go home to. His sunken cheeks were a testament to his ill heath and his clothing bagged over him, but when he spoke there was a dignity in his words. 

I was reminded of my World War II veteran grandfather. Here was a man who had lived and worked his days to help build society. He was probably a husband and father at some point, but for whatever reason in this last season of his life, he was alone. My heart broke a little for him.

I've heard an attitude expressed by some, a fear of this older generation. That kills me. I grew up at the feet of my grandparents, listening to their stories and benefiting from their love and wisdom. Those who've experienced a full life have so much to give. Why would anyone deprive themselves of that? Do we just get so busy we forget? And what can we do to slow down and benefit from these wonderful individuals?

Well, enough with deeper thoughts. It's time for a game.

Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books. 

Last week, Cathrina Constantine shared her BRAND NEW BOOK COVER along with two truths and one lie about herself. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win TALLAS in eBook! --It releases Feb 1, so mark your calendars!

Cathrina's game:

1. Cathrina danced on a Vegas stage.

2. A horse fell on top of her when she was 16.

3. When an icy snowball hit her mouth, she needed 3 stitches.

And the lie is: 

#3. This actually happened to her daughter. She did actually have a horse fall on her while performing a jump. Luckily she only broke her shoulder bone. OUCH! 

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Loni Townsend!

Congrats, Loni!

Today I'm super excited. I've been bloggies with Misha Gericke for YEARS, and I adore her. SO, when I heard about her debut novel, I jumped for joy, and then I read it. And loved it. The blurb:

Since the death of her parents, Callan Blair has been shunted from one foster family to another, her dangerous secret forcing the move each time. Her latest foster family quickly ships her off to an exclusive boarding school in the Cumbrian countryside. While her foster-brother James makes it his mission to get Callan expelled, a nearby ancient castle holds the secret doorway to another land...

When Callan is forced through the doorway, she finds herself in the magical continent of Tardith, where she’s shocked to learn her schoolmates Gawain and Darrion are respected soldiers in service to the king of Nordaine, one of Tardith's realms. More than that, the two are potential heirs to the Black Knight—Nordaine's crown prince.

But when the Black Knight fails to return from a mysterious trip, the realm teeters on the brink of war. Darrion and Gawain set out to find him, while Callan discovers there is more to her family history than she thought. The elves are claiming she is their princess. 

Now with Darrion growing ever more antagonistic and her friendship with Gawain blossoming, Callan must decide whether to stay in Nordaine—where her secret grows ever more threatening—or go to the elves and uncover the truth about her family before war sets the realms afire.

Pick up your copy HERE.

And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 

M. Gerrick (AKA Misha Gericke) has been creating stories since she was a young child and is now creating better ones to get published. 

She now lives on a farm in the Western Cape, South Africa, featuring a two-hundred year house, awesome scenery, horses, cows, sheep, dogs and her five muses (also known as cats). 

Misha gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win an eBook of The Vanished Knight. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, January 28, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on January 29.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Misha and her mom own about 8000 paperback books.

2. She wanted to learn how to fence and speak French after reading The Three Musketeers. She learned both, although her French is rusty.

3. Her first ever published piece of writing was a poem she wrote in Eleventh Grade

Remember to join my SUPER FUN blogfest. Details HERE. Oh, and heads up! I'm hosting a Valentines giveaway with this blogfest. If you'd like to participate by offering up a book or swag, shoot me an email before by January 29th. crystal AT crystal-collier DOT com

Okay, what is the lie? And what are your feelings about the elderly? Did you grow up with grandparents in your life? 

How to Find Happiness A-Z: R

Do you ever feel like some of the values you grew up with are slipping away? Society has a short memory, but I recall a day when the way you acted in public was determined by...

Respect!

I grew up addressing adults as Mr, Mrs, Ms, etc. It planted a proper understanding in me about the wisdom of those who'd lived much longer than myself. To this day I value the words of those who've spent decades longer than me in this life, and it cuts me to the core when others deride or look down on their elders.

I work with and teach a large group of kids from ages 18 months to 12 years old, and all of them come from very good, very caring homes. Still, I'm bewildered by their attitude toward adults. The formality and concept of honoring your elders doesn't seem to be part of their psyche. Brr? What does that say for these kids? Apparently they haven't been taught a very important principle.

And on a deeper level, if they don't respect others, can we hope they'll respect themselves? --To stay away from peer pressure, to trust in their own values, to establish who they are instead of folding to the winds of society? And how can we expect them, or ourselves to find happiness if the world buckles to whatever the media says we should be or think?

You knew this one was coming. ;)

Okay, rant over. Who's up for some cheese?