I made this little book.
I realize it is not literary greatness.
But it does have a message.
Actually, it has quite a few messages on quite a few different levels.
I don’t expect everyone to love it. I am so grateful that people I know, who like me, like it because they like me. And very likely may like it for it’s own worth. I do believe that as well.
And I like to think I have a sense of humor.
A pretty good sense of humor.
Now that you know those things about me, here’s what has happened. It’s not dramatic or traumatic. But I decided after thinking about this all day, I’m going to say I don’t like it. I think it’s okay to say, I just don’t.
I have been asking friends and family to post a review if they’ve seen the book and liked it. I have received some very nice reviews and ratings.
Thank you very much nice people.
I assume those who don’t leave a review may not want to deal with having to sign in to yet another site (I totally get it), don’t want to compete with Chloe’s review (thank you!), or just don’t do those things. Again, all understandable. I’m a no pressure kind of friend. You don’t wanna? Don’t. But if I’m not sure if you want to or not, I will ask. 🙂 I also understand, and appreciate, if people aren’t leaving reviews because they don’t have something nice to say. That’s a very considerate thing to do too.
I wake up this morning to find this review:
I thought …. okay…. maybe someone is trying to be funny. Though I don’t quite get it….I could possibly process that.
But then I realized they only gave me THREE STARS.
Harumph is what I thought.
Then I reread it about three times during the day.
Call me slow, but something finally dawned on me. Someone took the time to go to this site, sign in with a not very original or witty name and spent time they will never get back, writing that review. And it is posted on a place I tell my friends and family to go look at the great reviews.
And what do they see right at the top?
MR. BING BIGSHLONG
Well Mr. Bigshlong. I appreciate the time you gave me. I’m not angry, or sad, or disappointed in your review. Simply, I just don’t like it. I don’t want anyone reading your review and henceforth associating my book with your explosions.
In fairness to you, it must be a pretty miserable existence to have such activity tormenting you on a regular basis. I’m sorry you have to go through that. Though I don’t like your review, I hope you feel better and can get out of your house very soon. A nice walk in fresh air may help your constitution.
Please, go with my well wishes.
And if my book helped you get through this trying time in your life I think it deserves more than three stars. Don’t you?
Oh no. I received your book today and love it. Well done. I’m not familiar with writing reviews but I’ll do my best.
As for Mr fartalot what an eejit. Pity someone doesn’t light a match behind him! 😄
Ha! 🙂 Great comment Tric! Made me laugh. And a few others have been laughing at it as well. 😀
Thank you for ordering the book. Any honest review is appreciated! And he now has a new and improved name.
Good on you for acknowledging your feelings and voicing them. This sort of thing drives me crazy. What a waste of precious time by that individual. I thought you handled this really well! I have followed your blog for a lengthy time and have read the many inspirational and funny things you have posted, and your work does inspire and touch lives, I know because you’ve touched mine.
Thank you. I debated on writing this. I didn’t want to pull attention to it. But then, I thought, I have nothing to feel bad about. I don’t know if this person even actually got the book so I don’t know if they actually like it or not. I can’t take the review seriously. And it just wasn’t a nice thing for someone to do. So why not just say so. 🙂 So I’m glad I said something. And I appreciate YOU taking your time to read, and comment, and being very nice. ❤
You are most welcome my friend. I love your work. I don’t believe the individual read your book. I really don’t. I think it was a waste of time and soul to offer unsubstantiated comments. Hold to your positive energy. You rock! Grin
Thank you BusyMindThinking!
And oddly enough, I just realized I wasn’t following you!! I’m so sorry. I just joined you!!!
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I never underestimate the importance of that in my life. 🙂
You really are most welcome. I really enjoy your work and to follow along as you write is my pleasure. It’s okay re the follow back. I understand it can’t always be reciprocal, and I would still enjoy your work regardless. 🙂 Have an amazing day.
You are so gracious. Thank you. 🙂
I don’t think that review is nice, funny, or a way to express an opinion about someone’s book. Where’s the “don’t like” button! Sorry you had to deal with this nonsense today. You’ve certainly got my admiration for your thoughtful creative work.
Thank you Paulette. I appreciate you! I was pretty pleased with myself for not getting worried about it and see it for what it is. A waste of time. That persons, and mine. I suppose these things happen. I guess I just don’t have the mindset that would allow me to understand why these happens. Thank you, for being so nice. 🙂
I don’t believe in bad publicity. I look at all publicity as a good thing. They must have a very sad, lonely life if they can take the time to write such a disrespectful review. Keep your head up.
🙂 Thank you very much kbeezyisviral . I wasn’t going to write about this and pull more attention to it. But after much debate within myself…I thought it was okay to say to this person, that was not nice. And as a result, I have proven my long held belief once again. There are more nice people with goodness, than not nice people. Thank you for being so nice. 🙂
I’m happy that you did publish this post so we could connect. This world is cold, but is full of true beauty if you exude happiness and understand where to look. There are a number of good people in the world who are true to themselves. I’m glad my kindness could make you feel better. I hope I continue to inspire you and keep you motivated.
You exude positivity. Just what I love to experience in life. Thank you so much. Like you, I believe the world is full of true beauty. And I seek happiness, to experience it, share it, and give it if possible.
I hope you have an amazing day. 🙂
That’s the only way to live in my humble opinion. Thank you for the follow and nice conversation.
You’re welcome. And my gratitude to you as well.
I too thought he/she under-rated it given the “gripping” review they gave it! I think that possibly they were hit with an explosive “occurence” at the time they were hitting the stars and didn’t have time to press the other two stars. It is of my opinion that review warranted five stars!
THAT may very well be what happened Priceless! 🙂 I can count on you to come up with a good story once given a prompt!!!! ❤ Thank you for putting a good spin on that one. 😉 And thank you for being so nice!
I hope I didn’t offend you by commenting. I thought the comment that was put on your book review was very rude.
Oh Priceless, you made me laugh! Thank you. You have never offended me. 🙂
Phew! I’m glad to hear that!!
It takes all kinds, some of them people without manners. I agree this was not a nice review. Ignore it. Ignore he sent it. You KNOW you have sincere reviews out there for you.Sorry you had to have this experience so early in the game. ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you Tess. I agree. No manners. And I have been so tickled with the reviews. And the personal feedback. And the support. And the people being nice. Like you! ❤ ❤ ❤
That wasn’t nice!
Exactly! 🙂 But you always are!
awwwe thanks Colleen!
Sorry no fun to have that happen 🙂 xxx
You know, I just couldn’t get it out of my head that someone actually spent time doing that. Why bother? Eh. I got nice in people like you Lynz. 🙂
I thought the same thing, what is the point!Either say something nice or just don’t speak! I would love to see your book and comment! I know it is awesome!
I give your post five stars, Colleen.
😀 Thank you Ann!!!!! I accept them gladly!
I am very saddened that anyone would write something like this about ANY published works, let alone my dear friend, Colleen’s book!! Yikes. I would try to get this taken off or edited out somehow.
Thank you Robin. I did report it. And some others did as well. I don’t know if they are going to take it down. And I debated on putting attention on it….then thought….well they apparently want some kind of attention. And I thought I’d feel better by just saying it wasn’t nice. I do feel better. Because there are good people out there. Thank you for being one of them Robin! 🙂
You are most welcome and I enjoy your blog very much, Colleen. I could not imagine not liking your book! 🙂
❤ !!!!
Give ’em shit Colleen.
I burst out laughing. As did my friend when I read it to her. Thank you Paul! 🙂
Bwaahahahahaha ahhhhhhhh ahhhhh ahhhhh after troll delight!
Almy review is a good review!
That’s what I’m hearing. I suppose I did end up using it to my advantage. 😉
How frustrating! The idiots are out there, but that just sucks on many levels. You put a lot of good effort into that book and all your writings. If this idiot had some valid critique, that would be different, but this one is just being a jerk for the sake of it. Is there anyway to object to it and have it taken down?
I did report it. But I don’t know what happens now. I haven’t heard back. I did think that if there was something I could have gleaned from the review to tell me something of value…but no. That was not there. I really think the strongest reaction I had was shock at the time the person took to write it, and that it just wasn’t nice!
Thank you Nancy. 🙂
I reported it too as being inappropriate.
Thank you Nancy. They did take it down.
what a dork. Who cares what he says. I haven’t bought your book but if it’s anything like what you do on here, it’s chock-full of wisdom! ❤
Diana xo
Thank you Diana. You have actually seen parts of it on the blog and responded nicely to it. 🙂 So thank you!!!! And thank you for being so nice! 🙂
just a jerk on a screen. i hope to read your book one day soon, i always love what you have to say )
Thank you Beth!!! 🙂 I think your kinders might like it. 🙂 Maybe once I get this moving I’ll have a give away or something and send one to your kinders. 🙂
Juvenile for certain. I haven’t read your book yet but I’m sure it’s as fun and thoughtful as your blog.
Thank you MW51. 🙂 Juvenile, that’s a great word to describe this. Maybe it if had been more ‘funny’ I would not have thought it so not nice. 😉 Thank you for being so nice!
Stupid ass punk. There, that was what was on my mind about that review. If a person is going to say something and can’t even put their own name behind the insult, they are simply a coward of a bully. I will get to my review, as I love your book. 🙂
Thank you April! I so appreciate your review. I’ve been sending people who review a thank you card. If you are not comfortable sharing an address (via email not here) I understand. But I want to thank you grandly!!!! 🙂
I don’t mind, I just have to figure out how to find your email address. It will be like a signed copy! Thanks!
🙂 colleenbrowntkd@hotmail.com
I look forward to sending you one!!!!!
Juvenile. Or at least I hope it was typed (I won’t dignify it with “written”) by a 14-year-old boy, and not some maturity-challenged adult with way too much free time. I love your thoughts on his constitution, by the way. I bet in a few short weeks you’ll just laugh about it rather than let it bug you. As for Mr. Smallman, just lay off the beans, buddy!
Maturity challenged adult.
That’s what I suspect. 😉
I hope he sees your concern for his health! Thank you Jim!!!
BRW, I ordered a certain book yesterday. 🍀
You’re my favorite today Jim! Thank you!!!!! 🙂
It is at such times that you find out how many friends you have, Colleen, and that is a (certainly unintended) blessing that the person with the unkind comment gave to you. The person is looking for attention and got some, but so did your book, and I don’t believe any intelligent reader would let such an obvious troll-review keep them from reading your book. It might even pique their curiosity. Receiving your first troll review is a painful but inevitable rite of passage for an author in today’s world, somewhat akin to getting that first scratch or ding in a new car. It is my hope that this incident quickly be forgotten and the memory that remains be all the wonderful comments and support from your ever-growing number of friends, followers, and fans. Welcome to the club of troll-review survivors. Our motto: That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!
Thank you Russ. You’re right, I did receive my first ding. And I’m really pretty blessed. I’ve never really had that trouble here on the blog. I’ve been here for almost 7 years and never had to deal with negative people. I guess I felt insulated from it. But, having such positive experiences all these years with such wonderful people (present company included) I feel pretty good. I hope the person who left it….just had a blip in reasoning.
Thank you Russ. ❤
There’s acceptable public information and then… there’s that. Perhaps this person has been consumed with this issue for so long, that they can no longer think straight. All of their forethought has gone out with the rest of their air.
THAT is what I suspect. 🙂 And hope. Hahahahahahaha!
Thank you MWAI. 🙂
It looks like it is down.
It is gone. Thankfully. 🙂
I think I’m late to discover that you’ve written a book! My goodness, Colleen. I’m already a fan, so as soon as I figure out where to go…count me in. 🙂
Thank you Debra! 🙂
Here’s where you can go check it out.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/c-faherty-brown/when-i-go/paperback/product-22570500.html
Sounds like an Internet troll. Still, agreed, if it is legit and he got solace from your book it would be five stars easy. Maybe the gas just makes him mean? Lord knows the smells he endures, but likely he is simple a troll. Albeit a gaseous one.
Gaseous Troll. Now if he had at least signed his review like that, it would have been more honest. 😉
True 🙂
Well said. Some people love going out of their way to be unpleasant. He’s quite entitled not to like the book, even hate it, but unless it is offensive, why take the trouble to pan it? Get a life already!
Exactly!! And if the review was that he didn’t like it, okay. Just don’t be nasty and juvenile about it. Give feedback that matters. And if it doesn’t matter, don’t leave it! 🙂 THank you ML!!! 🙂