As writers, we spend a lot of time worrying about people who don’t like our writing. But what happens when you are the one who hates someone else’s book? 

Maybe it’s an author whose marketing you can’t stand. Maybe you read a novel that you thought was poorly written. Maybe you completely disagreed with an author’s perspective on politics, religion, parenting, or a hundred other topics. 

The point is, you’re mad at the author. Now you must decide what to do with that anger. 

Mark Twain was a writer who didn’t mince words, even when it came to his feelings about other writers. He said this: “I haven’t any right to criticize books, and I don’t do it except when I hate them. I often want to criticize Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can’t conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Every time I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.” 

Something tells me that Mark Twain would have lasted about three minutes on social media! 

Maybe you have felt that way about another writer. It’s tempting to want to leave a negative review or post a sarcastic comment on social media. But most of the time, we would do well to follow the Golden Rule: do unto others what you would have them do unto you. 

In other words, be nice. Be kind. And if you can’t say anything nice, it’s best not to say anything at all.  

More than anyone else, we writers understand the power of our words. But sometimes that power is best kept to ourselves. 

Remember that a book isn’t for everyone. Your book isn’t for everyone, and sometimes another author’s book is not for you.