When Twitter backfires

Last week I wrote about Twitter and how I felt it had potential for stalking. Since then, author Alice Hoffman has taken the Twitter debate to a whole new level.

Seems that Ms. Hoffman didn't much care for this review in the Boston Globe. So she decided to Tweet about it. But not in a good way. She called the reviewer a "moron" and asked her followers to call or email the reviewer—and proceeded to give the reviewer's phone number and email address.  She claimed that the reviewer gave away most of the plot.

My first question was how Ms. Hoffman actually had the reviewer's contact information, especially the phone number. Made me a little suspect about whether this could be a publicity stunt. Because as we know, any publicity is good publicity. And now everyone's talking—and Tweeting—about this.

Who of us hasn't read a review that doesn't give away major plot points? I've been dismayed that some reviewers have hashed out all the surprises in my books, leaving nothing to the reader. The very first interview I gave for SACRED COWS—with the arts editor at the newspaper I worked at—resulted in a story that led with one of the biggest surprises in the book. Fortunately, because I worked there, I poked around in the files before it was published and managed to talk the editor into changing it. But I couldn't do that with anyone else.

I can only hope that after reading a review like that, a reader will go into the book and enjoy the journey more than the actual plot points that have already been laid out like presents under a Christmas tree.

Now Ms. Hoffman has been around a long time. I can't image this is the first time this has happened to her. But what did happen was Twitter and its immediacy. Instead of telling her best friend about this, she told a whole bunch of people she didn't know. And it ballooned.

If you Tweet, do you think twice before posting? And what do you think of spontaneous Tweeting?

Karen

Comments

[Mary Stella]

I'm not yet on Twitter, but I'm on Facebook and I blog. I always think twice before posting. Same thing with email. If I'm ticked off about something, it's too easy to fire off a heated response without thinking through the situation. I remind myself to back away from the keyboard, breathe, and think about what I'm putting out there in the electronic universe.

[Gerard]

Sitting at computer, marking down missed items, drinking coffee from across the park. Call this 'critic' tell him off 920-648-2166

[John]

Wow--that's way out there! I read something similar a week or so ago. Kevin Williamson, who wrote the first two SCREAM films and is working on a fourth entry tweeted that he was upset over the fact that Neve Campbell would not agree to come back for the film, as he had anticipated following her character (and had been writing as such). This started a firestorm, as there was no official announcement to precede the tweet. Needless to say, he hasn't written much about S4 since (and that post was removed).

I myself only use Twitter for shameless self-promotion--please feel free to add OyeJohn52--and the occasional random thought or observation.

John

[Jeff Shelby]

Thinking twice makes me tired, so I try not to do that.

[A Free Man]

Twittwe is sort of tailor made for firing off words that you wish you could have back. One of many reasons that I stay away from it.

[AlisonGaylin]

I actually have sort of the opposite problem with Twitter -- I feel like I never have anything worthwhile to say, so I go long periods without tweeting. As for the whole Hoffman thing, I'd say how I really feel, but I'm afraid she'll broadcast my home phone on Twitter. Jeez, lady. You're a great writer, but grow yourself a freakin' skin or you're libel to get your hall pass revoked. Critics criticize. That's why they're called that. Quit passing snarky notes about the new girl and get back to work.

[Jen of a2eatwrite]

It seems to be junior high all over again.

Except my peers in junior high behaved better than Ms. Hoffman.

Very disappointing.

[Jen of a2eatwrite]

Another twitter backfire, and too funny:

http://www.motherhoodinnyc.com/2007/06/anne-frank-supermodel-and-me.html

[Chris@bookarama]

Yeah, I watched the whole thing unfold and was disappointed in her reaction. It's good to commiserate with your bffs but going on Twitter and encouraging people to flame someone is not okay.

She needed to have a beer and go for a long walk.

[Compudoc]

I fully agree with Chris. With Twitter as with any "blogging" type service, never ever put anything out there that you would not want your parents, friends etc. to see.

Alice Hoffman has put a big, fat scarlet A right on her forehead - no matter how good a book she writes going forward, reviews will forever be tainted by her rant...