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 |  This is my blog & my hope, writing daily will help me see my progress and log supporters. |
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| The agency I used to (hopefully) gain my retirement visa will be getting reviewed. They are very efficient, and for the service they offer, are reasonably priced (in my opinion). But the one thing they can improve on is PR. Over the three days I have been dealing with them, not one person has introduced themselves, shook my hand and only one or two (ladies) smiled in my direction. This is Bangkok, and although Thailand is known as the land of smiles, it appears smiles are distinctly missing here in the capital. I have, however, found a way to ALWAYS receive a smile...tip generously...LOL. At first, I used Google Local Guides posts to help refine my writing style. Then, as time went by, it became more of a public service, letting people know about the good and the bad that exists out there (from my point of view and experience). There are times when I couldn't be bothered writing a review (especially when I was using drugs) and I never upload pictures. I don't, nor have ever, had FB, IG or any social media account other than Tumblr...and even on Tumblr, I found that I am invisible (except to chatbots) when posting my poetry and writing. Posting creative art on social media is about promoting people's own product, and unless you are willing to do whatever it takes to become 'popular', in my experience, it is a complete waste of time. Because of this, I now stick solely to WdC and write for me and me alone. Then, if I am lucky enough that a few people read my work and (heaven forbid) review the piece (a huge thanks goes out to all those who give back to the author, not just me, but anyone who is blessed to have someone take the time to read and give their thoughts), I feel blessed. I think we all need to appreciate that along with the gift of reviewing someone's work, comes with it the risk that this can incur, with the occasional backlash when giving our honest opinions...a gift (of receiving a review) I for one appreciate immensely and ALWAYS acknowledge with a thank you. For the time and effort that goes into presenting our work, which is at first, simply an idea. An idea that becomes a draft, which eventually evolves into a story. A story that then requires hours, days and sometimes weeks of editing (in my case) before I am happy to post it publicly. Writing only became an art form for me in 2018...before that, I didn't even consider that what we do as writers is to paint pictures in people's minds...and for every mind, a different picture emerges. Now that is something to behold and is one of the most powerful gifts one person can give to another. We cannot please everyone. Some love and some hate...and this used to bother me on a personal level. I was naive back then, and perhaps I still am to a degree. I would rather be naive than so sophisticated or arrogant that I had nothing to offer those who are, in reality, just like me...only, in their own minds, better. But these days, I've had a few years to ponder this 'reality'. And now there is just one thing that bothers me, and that is the majority who come to someone's port, read whatever they do, and leave without any comment whatsoever. I think I speak for the majority when I say that I would rather hear someone tell me they hated what I wrote, and give some feedback as to what it was they disliked, rather than silence...the worst sound I believe an artist can hear. Of course, wouldn't it be nice if everybody loved every word we produce? But the trouble with getting little to no feedback is it brings out the worst in us...insecurity and the question of whether we are good enough. Did they hate the piece so much that they didn't want to offend by telling it like they saw it? It could also stem from the fear of giving honest critique, which, if we are being honest here, is discouraged by management in preference for a kinder, more sympathetic view of the work. Or perhaps it's the lack of feedback they receive, which makes for a more apathetic community as a whole. Or, it could be just a sign of the times. Where everything online is considered free, and even just five minutes spent telling someone either thanks...or not so much, is too high a price to pay for the product they just consumed. |
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