tack-y [tak-ee] adjective Southern slang for, oh no she/he/you didn’t!
Tacky is a word I use a lot in conversation, but not so much in writing. It loses much in translation (ie written instead of spoken complete with hand gestures and that look of wow you’re dumb that generally accompanies it). I tend to skip right on by the word unprofessional and bring out the big guns–tacky. Yes, boys and girls, it’s one of those blogs.
The soul of the internet is tacky to its core. Unfortunately, people think they are safe and anonymous and free to say anything they want. Bad idea. For one, you really aren’t as anonymous as you think. There’s this little thing called an IP number and it’s traceable. For another, it’s a small small writing world. One way or the other, one place or another, you’re likely to run into the person you dissed and thought you left far behind. You can change your screen name, your user name, your ISP–but you can’t change your voice and you probably won’t change the slang and phrases that are a part of your every day vocabulary. Eventually, you’ll give yourself away. Eventually, some sharp eared writer will catch it.
What’s brought this mini rant on? Anonymous posters and anonymous snitches. What is up with the ‘net lately anyway?
When a well known author is asked specifically if she has a complaint about her publishers and she answers honestly–not tacky.
When someone claiming to be an agent, but who refuses to divulge her identity claims to be smarter than said author and calls her a nitwit–tacky.
Posting private emails on your blog without permission–tacky.
And the one that really chaps my hide, forwarding private emails and stirring up a bunch of shit just cause you can–tacky.
Now, I’m certainly not opposed to people saying their peace. There’s too much secrecy in this industry in my opinion. It’s too hard to find out if you want to work with this publisher or that editor, and there should be more open communication. But when you cloak yourself in anonymity you have zero credibilty. You’re free to attack and never really be called on it. It’s unprofessional.
And it’s tacky as all hell.
So there you have it, a few things not to do. Feel free to add your own “tacky” complaints to the comments.
November 16th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
How right you are, my friend. I never sign anything anonymous. If I got something to say, by golly I’ll put my name behind it.
I agree. The whole blog drama lately is just tedious and annoying. Or tacky and childish.
November 17th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I tend to avoid drama/tacky. My hat’s off to Jenny Cruise though =)
And you are so right about dissing someone whose ass you end up needing later on down the line! If you have to, walk away, but don’t burn the bridge behind you.
When you trash a fellow author (and I mean get personal) don’t think not mentioning their name is going to make it hard to figure out who you’re talking about–and you’re tacky for doing it.
Please note: In the vein of certain debates that go on and on and on and die only to rear their ugly head like a bad B grade zombie horror movie, beating a dead horse, by anyone, is also tres tacky!
November 18th, 2006 at 1:14 am
Tacky indeed!!
I can’t decide if they are stupid or juvenile.
But I’ll agree it’s tacky. It’s ALL tacky.
As someone who is known to shoot off at the mouth, even I have better manners than most of the industry blog posts of late. It’s like that old adage: If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. While I sometimes would LOVE to rant and rave, I always think better of it after about 5 minutes.
November 18th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Okay, where have I been? I’ve totally missed this whole drama.
Unfortunately, I haven’t missed the folks who feel free to spout off in the anonymity of cyberspace. The internet has a very decivilizing effect on some people. Like everything else ever invented, it’s dangerous in the wrong hands.
You make some great points, lady!
November 19th, 2006 at 5:49 am
Oh Lori you are so right. This whole business has really left a sour taste in my mouth. It is so unprofessional and what was that word you used….yeah…TACKY!!!