I honestly try to make an effort to stop reading writers who have never read a thing I’ve written because the relationship is not reciprocal. “You might be popular, but you’re not super popular and your comments section is manageable. So you can’t even trouble yourself to read a two-minute piece I’ve written?” Those are my internal thoughts, and I end up perceiving the person as a dick. That said, something about their writing draws me back to them. Well, it’s because the person is obviously a very good writer and storyteller. So what do I do? I read their stuff in small doses, and rarely comment. That way, I still get the pleasure of their writing (not all of it, of course), but I’m not compromising my integrity so much.

The short answer: I agree with you, RC. I think many feel the same way.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.