The Shame of Being

Dolls,

I awoke this morning to the latest trending of Keke Palmer talking about Kylie Jenner on Instagram. Now, I am not discussing this. They are like eons into the stratosphere of social media, and I am not touching that. What I am touching upon is the shame of being that not only pertains to "famous" young women and men, but everyone.

Bullying did not just start with the advent of social media folks.

Bullying has existed since time began. One person believing in their self-righteous jargon enough to belittle and dehumanize another, thereby building themselves up to some erroneous new height. I am bothered by bullying, but even more so bothered by the fascination therein. Like every time a bullying case erupts – we, by talking about it, reward - not the victim, but the perpetrator. We stroke the ego of the bully.

I have been the victim of bullying as I am sure most people have. My own grandfather announcing to me at the Thanksgiving table that - "K, could be so pretty if she would just lose twenty pounds." His standard by which I was expected to achieve. The simple fact is everyone gets bullied at some point, but it isn't new and it isn't something that "just" occurs to famous people.

The LGBTQ has been subjected to bullying to the point that they have the highest rates of suicide. This is a problem. I've said it once and I'll say it again to parents who bully their LGBTQ youth– 

You can accept it, or you can bury them.

All too often we say... "It's not my problem." But in truth, it is ALL of our problem. We have to change the fundamental way in which we raise our daughters and sons so they don't have self-image issues and/or don't become a bully. That's a tough job, I know. Parents have to be present and aware. And they can't just overlook the behavior, hoping that it will change.

There is a shame in just existing, but there shouldn't be. It shouldn't take twenty years of therapy or a coffin to get over just being allowed to be yourself. We are fundamentally all in this together regardless of race, religion, gender identity, and sexual preference. Our differences amount to us being whole. 

I don't want a cookie cutter clone.

No one should.

Embrace your puckered thighs or flamboyant style – just be who you are.  

There is a saying in writing that you have to write your own book because no one else can; the same could be said for each and every one of our beings. Be you simply because no one else can.

And that is a beautiful thing.

Love & Light,

Ms. Samuels

I've been told that discussing such things is career suicide – newsflash, it won't change my story. But not saying something will. Because it fundamentally goes against who I am. 

Three-Dollar Money Shots

I am a writer.
I am also a voracious reader.

I am sick and tired of fake reviews people. I am not sure what lollypop land some readers are living in, but...just wow. How can people possibly give 5-stars to something so utterly terrible? I mean seriously. I am not handing out author names or book titles. No. Don't ask.

I have been writing my entire life. In the past year, I decided to put my words out there. And you know what? I have had a lot of downloads, a handful of purchases, and zero reviews. Ask me if this changes anything...

No. I have been writing for years. Reviews or not is not going to change whether I write.
Do you know why?

I am a writer. I love words. I love crafting a story. I love spinning a web and quilting it all together piece-by-piece. I am into it. Reviews be damned. Would I like some? Sure, who wouldn't? Is it going to stop me from writing? Absofuckinglutely not.

My problem is this...not everyone putting books on your local e-retailer shelves is a writer. Some of them just want to make a quick dollah. Ya, dollah. And by getting their family member/friend/co-worker to post the 5-star review, we unknowingly purchase said book expecting it to be good....until WHAMO! What the fuck? Hello. This isn't a story. It's scribble. Hardly legible.

I'm not talking about poor formatting here people. I'm talking bad. I'm talking my reading time in which I could have been reading good writers like - oh wtf let's namedrop some AWESOME writers I have been reading of late - Jade West or Jason Luke or Jasinda Wilder or Lucian Bane - was stolen from me! Taken my time like a thief!

Because I trusted those fake reviews.
I am not happy. Not in the least.

And do you know what? All of you readers and writers - should be pissed off too.

I write because I love it. I write for me.
It's not about the dollah bill.
Or the reviews.

What the hell is this 10-minute book for $2.99 anyway?
That is utterly ridiculous people. I have some $2.99 books and they are EACH over 100 pages.

And while I am on my bitch session:

No, I will NOT exchange a 5-star review of your book for a your 5-star of mine. FU.
-AND-
No, I will NOT purchase your review of my book. FU2.

I realize my complaining will not stop any of this. For all of the good in this market, there is an equal amount of slime.

What can I say?
I can tell you every time this girl reviews something, it is honest and heartfelt - be it written or product. I do not tout what I do not love. And if I cannot say something nice, I won't say anything at all. Because I have integrity and believe in karma.

I don't expect everyone to like my books. And I don't expect to love every book I pick up as a reader. But I expect more than 10-minutes of faked 5-star fluff. As a reader, I expect you to at least try. As a writer, if you are going to write the 10-minute for $2.99 jerk-off book then it best be at least tissue worthy...and not for my tears.