Because you never know who's reading your stuff online...

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this to, but I want to share it with everyone -- just in case this happens to you!

I have a blog (doesn't everybody?). I try to post Monday through Friday on interesting subjects. Yesterday, I posted about the new British reality show that's being billed as the "American Idol for writers" -- because it's like American Idol but for writers, and because Simon Cowell's brother, Tony Cowell, who is a British author, is running the joint.

Myself, not being an admirer of reality television, found this concept a Very Bad Idea. I said so, right on my blog: it would be boring, why do writers need another way to humiliate themselves, Tony doesn't like writers, etc., ad nauseum. That was yesterday.

Today, Tony Cowell left a comment on my blog. Open mouth, insert foot.

It seems Tony is nothing like his abrasive brother... he's actually quite a nice man. If I had done a little more looking around before I spouted off about the show, I would have known this. Tony explained (very nicely) what the show is really about: it's not only to get people published, but it's also to give all aspiring writers some insights into the publishing industry, much like Miss Snark.

Tomorrow, I will offer a sincere apology and hope that somehow, Tony will see it. Lesson learned: from now on, I'll not post to the blog in a fit of pique, and look at all sides of the story before I formulate an opinion.

Sheesh... excuse me while I crawl under a rock.

It was very nice of him. Shockingly nice. Scandalously nice, even!

Yeah, I learned. Think I just said to someone the other day: I'm always sticking my foot in my mouth, and I never have any ketchup. *sigh*

Thank you! That's Nicholas D. Wolfwood from Trigun Gaara from Naruto. An awesome character.

ETA: Thanks, Chunky... it is pretty awesome, I have heard from Tony Cowell!

Thanks very much, Siddow! I'm very excited about it.

LOL I can't enter the contest anyway. But I do wish Tony Cowell much luck, and I will apologize (gotta leave my current post up for today, though...)

Thanks, Toothpaste!

I agree, Chunky - I haven't watched much of American Idol, and Simon Cowell really is abrasive. He's like Howard Stern for singers (I will never, ever forget watching Howard Stern make Richard Simmons cry. That was just awful.)

Oh, I dunno, RG. I do all right with blogging and writing. I do have reasons beyond the usual... since I have some books out and coming out through e-pubs, it lets me keep in touch with readers. Different strokes and all!

Plus, I got to talk to Tony Cowell. Sort of. Even if I did make an idiot of myself.

Thank you! Yeah, that Richard Simmons thing was bad. He's such a sweetie, and to see him that upset (for another person, not even for himself!) just broke my heart.

Sassenach said:

Are you certain it was Tony Cowell who posted?

Click to expand...

LOL! I'd considered that. You really never can tell. But the comment seemed genuine and articulate, and I honestly don't know why anyone would make a nice comment while claiming to be someone else.

It's possible, of course. Who can ever be sure? Maybe I'm not really who I say I am. I might, in fact, be Marilyn Manson (and for the record, I wasn't in The Wonder Years.)