Writers: Would you really want fame knowing all the mean things people would say about you?

[Joss]

I just happen to be on Twitter and saw "Stedman" trending. Stedan has been Oprah's boyfriend for like a million years, lol. I clicked on it to see what people were saying and, boy, were they mean, lol. People were making comments about how Stedman is just living off Oprah's money, which isn't true. He's a businessman and millionaire himself and it's all HIS money, not her's. Plus, I can't see Oprah taking care of a guy who doesn't do anything. Anyway, there were more mean comments about how Oprah is a lesbian (yes, I've heard the rumors before) and how she and her BFF, Gayle, are 'intimate' - putting it nicely.

Then I saw a comment from someone who mentioned that she understood why Stedman refuses the spotlight - because of all the nasty things people would say.

So, this got me thinking. Would you really want all the fame that a Stephanie Meyers and Dan Brown and Stephen King gets if you knew it came with people making horribly mean personal comments about you?

BQ: What's the worst personal comment you've read about a writer?

-- I read an article about Stephen King that bashed his looks by saying that he wasn't the most handsome guy. I've also seen nasty comments from people ragging on Stephenie Meyer's religion.
BQ2: If you were to become a super famous writer, would you read all the negative comments about yourself?

I know I wouldn't. I'd act like they didn't exist.
Personal comments - commenting on your double chin. your bad clothes. Your over-bleached hair. Or, god-forbid, how you look like a monkey's butt. haha. I swear, people can be so mean these days.
@ ∂αяк♥ írkєn príncєss - Your book becoming famous also puts the spotlight on you as an author because now people will want to know more about the person who wrote the book. Personal fame is a side-effect. Just look at J D Salinger. He didn't' want fame that came with having a popular book, but he couldn't really escape unless he stopped publishing his work.
I should really read all the comments before responding, haha.

@Wander - I agree with you about the British media. They are ruthless, haha, especially the tabloids. American tabloids have nothing on them, haha.

[Andrew]

I could care less of what people would say about me, i like $$$$$

[A/lie]

I don't particularly want to be famous. I want to make a difference in the world, yes, but I know making a difference is different from gracing the cover of People magazine multiple times. I really can't answer your question if I would really want that sort of fame. Like . . . I don't know. It just seems so unrealistic that I can't imagine myself anything but enthusiastic, although I'm sure I'd be stressed-out and anxious if I was famous.

BQ: Too many to count. Some about authors like J.K. Rowling and SMeyer, and some just pointlessly bashing little excerpts on Y!Answers.

BQ2: No. I might read the negative reviews experienced writers or very knowledgeable book critics would give me, but I would stay away from any internet reviews or blogs.

[Vengeful Strumpet]

I would, mainly because people are always going to judge you and make nasty comments regardless of whether you're famous or not, and not everyone is going to like your books, which is only fair. I could handle people not liking my writing, I don't write for them, and the people who make snap judgments without really knowing someone are hardly worth listening to anyway. Let them say all the mean comments they want, I'd keep my dignity and write for the people who enjoy my books.

If I was to become a famous writer...no, probably not. I'd maybe peak, but I'd learn to stay away from forums, message board etc etc.

[Brooke]

I'm not setting out to be famous, but if it were to ever happen, I wouldn't regret it. People are going to talk about me whether I'm a famous author, or whatever. People talk about me now. It's something you can never get away from and I've accepted that.

Not everyone will like my writing, and then there will be people who love it. It's just how the world works People are mean, but I've dealt with a lot of mean people.

BQ: I can't say I've ever read anything bad about an author because I don't often come across them. Perhaps the only things that I can remember are things about their 'horrible writing'. Other than that, I don't see many personal comments. Maybe some people here and there commenting on an author's picture, saying she is ugly or fat.

BQ2: I'm not sure, honestly. I'd like to have a blog or place to interact with fans, but I wouldn't seek out bad comments. If I happen across them, I'd try my hardest to ignore them. I can't please everyone and I'll nearly kill myself trying to.

[gentledonkey020]

I could care less about what people say about me. Besides, _I_ don't want to be famous, I want my _books_ to be famous. There's a difference Because I'm not personally interested in being famous, I'm not going to be crushed by what people will say about me.

BQ: I could care less about such things. I haven't read any gossip or discussion about famous authors like Stephenie Meyers or Stephen King, so I can't really tell you the worst thing I've read. Fame and rumor doesn't really interest me.

BQ2: Of course not. As I already said, gossip doesn't interest me. I'm just different that way

[Wanderer]

That's a very interesting question. I am British and I have seen so many talented people get torn up and spat out by the British media once they were finished with them. If I did have what it took to be so popular and famous I would probably be a Thomas Pynchon type or like J.D. Salinger; I'd shy away from the spotlight altogether. I'd employ a person to attend my websites, facebook and twitter pages and even employ someone to read and respond to my fan mail. But I'd really have nothing to do with any of it.

It sounds mean, since I’d love to talk to people who enjoy my work, but what choice do people really have these days. My biggest fear would be that the press and media and general haters would attack those close to me just to get to me. I think Pynchon has it right; He writes, publishes, and takes his dogs for a walk or goes for evenings out with those closest to him and doesn't have to worry about photographers or any kind of hassle from people.

BQ1: I think all personal comments are out of line. A writer should be judged solely on their work not their personal life or anything else.

BQ2: I believe people should always hear the bad if they are prepared to hear the good. I however will sacrifice the good comments just to spare myself of hearing the bad.

Thanks for the interesting question :-)