First, Dark Psychology is just Being a Dick for Dummies.  Remember, anything that says it is the “science and art” of anything is just bullshit.  Dark Psychology is just a selling point for people who never had the space or charisma to be a douchebag.  And if you’re still needing to express how you’re an asshole after your twenties, you need to see a counselor, not buy that book.

Anyway, I was reading a new book, lately, I finished it, and I almost gave up on the author.  And that killed me.  I absolutely loved the writing, the setting, everything, right up until the end.  The author did that Shutter Island thing where it was in the main character’s head the whole time.  That drives me crazy.  It was cool and amazing the first time an author did it, but now, you’ve literally just wasted my time.  I spent a book’s worth of time being drawn into this world, and then at the last second you go, “Just kidding!” 

It’s not clever anymore.  It is just insulting. 

​All over the place, I find suggestions of what you, as a writer, should be posting on your social media accounts.  I have personally signed up for more than a couple of writer’s newsletters because they offered a list of “50 social media posts for writers.”  I think I did a total of three posts off those lists.  I hated each and every one of them.

​Let me start by saying, I love writers.  I have a ton of them on my podcast, I love getting drunk and talking with them, but I hate the #writerscommunity.  Trying to be a part of that mess has been driving me away from all social media.  It has started making posting content this obnoxious chore I want nothing to do with, so I haven’t posted in forever.  Not to mention that it’s turned my feed into two million posts of the same thing with different filters.  Introduce yourself and your favorite novel, tell us what your MC is thinking right now, use so many hashtags, and remember to ask a question so readers can engage you in the comments!  I just can’t.