>Well...that certainly showed me. I'm surprised you went to the bother
>to look me up, or to read my fan-fiction (fan-fiction I'm not
>particuarly fond of myself). In defense of my handle, it was chosen
>more to help promote my first website than as any reflection on
>myself.
>
>But I guess I'll have to retract my earlier e-mail...turns out that I
>*do* care about your opinion of me...because that reply really *hurt*.

Such things *do*, and that's one of the points I've always tried to bring home
to folks, which is to just remember that the people you're talking to and about
are people also, and you shouldn't say things to them that you're not prepared
to have someone say to you. I don't think anyone should ever have to curb
their opinion, but that's not the same thing as how you present it. We
sometimes forget that the people at the other end of the modem, or the indicia
page, are people also.

By contrast, if one *does* let fly, one gives up all rights to be offended by
the response. Do unto others, as the saying goes.

>I apologize for my earlier rudeness.
>

And I apologize for mine.

jms

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
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permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
and don't send me story ideas)