Well, it’s official. I’m done writing.
The email came in this morning. This one sealed the deal. “Sean,” the message began. “You are a social media attention whore….”
Great way to start a Monday.
“…You’re like all other attention seekers,” the writer went on, “constantly looking for likes and engagement… I’ve been a professional writer for 29 years, and it’s people like you who corrupt the profession. …I think you know what I’m talking about.”
The last sentence ends in a preposition.
A few hours later, a book review on a major bookseller website.
“…[Dietrich’s] book was a laborious and difficult read… I found [the author’s] tone glib and disrespectful. This author might indeed have something to say, but he’s too immature to say it.”
You’re only young once. But you can be immature forever.
Then there was the letter to the editor of one of the newspapers for which I write.
“…I am a former reader of Sean. I was disgusted with his treatment of religion in his last column… I take offense at the tasteless jokes about Baptists.”
Why should you take two Baptists fishing? Because if you take just one, he’ll drink all your beer.
And here’s another little gem from another newspaper that carries my shoddy work:
“…I found Sean’s article in [name of paper] especially upsetting, especially the jokes about the Baptist tradition. I have been a Baptist all my life. I am 77 years old, and found his humor belittling.”
As it happens, I have been a Baptist all my life, too. I come from a Baptist town. Even our atheists were Baptist, because it was a Baptist god they didn’t believe in.
Ironically, most of the Baptist jokes I’ve learned have come directly from Baptist preachers.
One of my childhood friends, for example, is a Baptist preacher. I recently told him about some negative mail I received.
He replied: “Don’t worry about it. Everyone has haters. Muslims don’t recognize the sovereign state of Israel. Jews don’t recognize Jesus as God’s son. And we Baptists don’t recognize each other at Hooters.”
I could do this all day.
“Sean Dietrich,” the official book reviewer began, “writes in a way that seems confused…”
Who said that?
“This author needs to learn basic grammar.”
Hay, that ain’t nice.
And the last one: “This is the worst writing I’ve read in my entire life.”
Clearly this reviewer hasn’t read “Moby Dick.”
So anyway, the reason I am sharing all this with you is because 16-year-old Samantha, of Kansas City, Missouri, wrote me a letter this morning. Samantha said she wants to be a writer.
She worked for weeks on an essay. Then she sent the essay to me for my opinions. I thought the essay was wonderful, and that’s what I told her. So she turned it in.
The teacher spilled red ink all over the page. Then her fellow students critiqued her work. Some of the critiques were less than kind. By the end of the day, Samantha was in tears.
“I thought I was going to be a writer,” Samantha wrote, “but I obviously have no talent for writing. I guess I’m giving up now.”
Well.
Dear Samantha, If you give up writing, so will I.
18 comments
Gilberto Dominguez - April 30, 2024 3:35 am
If you stop writing you let the SOBs win.
jim jackson - April 30, 2024 11:34 am
No, Noooo, Sean! DON’T STOP WRITING! I am a non-alcohol drinking, retired after 53 years as a So Baptist minister. Your comments about drinking may offend a few – many smile and laugh when you tell your stories. I appreciate your talents and gifts that are God-given. You have given this child of the Lord smile and laugh out loud as you tell the story of so many people with honesty and love!
My lovely wife of 55 years look forward to seeing you on May 10th on APT.
Sean Chatham - April 30, 2024 12:38 pm
These haters suck, like a Hoover. You bring joy and LOVE to countless folks, every day. Last time I checked, that is what Jesus called us to do. Even us Baptists should know that!
Jimmy Stewart - April 30, 2024 12:57 pm
Everyone is a critic but the late generation baby boomers are the worst (between 64 and 79). I am one so I am speaking of my peers. They complain and criticize and condemn everything they don’t like, don’t understand and disagree with. A friend called them the American Idol generation. They are quick to judge and argue over who should stay and who should go. When Jesus said judge not that you be not judged for the heaviness and manner in which you judge others will be used by my Father to bring the same measure of judgement on you, he was speaking with late baby boomers in mind (I am convinced!). What a waste of time by so many. Mama always said, “If you can’t say something nice, better not to say anything at all.” Love you Sean! Your writing inspires me every day. E. V. E. R. Y. D. A. Y. To be a better person. To love people more. To pray more. To tell others of the goodness of God and of all the wonderful things He has done. You do that. Every day. Through your written words. And I thank you! I am a better person because of you. I am a better Baptist pastor because of you.
Eddie Roberts - April 30, 2024 1:04 pm
Sean, you keep doing what you do best. There are always going to be ignorance, hate, jealousy and pure down right meanness in this world. Your books and columns are just a little ray of sunshine in a dark world. Thanks!!!!!
Colleen Campeau - April 30, 2024 1:07 pm
Sean, if you quit writing and playing music, I’ll surely die. Please don’t, as I have a few more things I’d like to do before taking my last breath.
Susie Murphy - April 30, 2024 1:10 pm
Opinions are like belly buttons and another bodily aperture, everyone has one. Some are better than others. And some teachers have too much red ink and negative attitudes. Hang in there Sean, I will read whatever you write. It’s good stuff. And Samatha, ignore your grumpy teacher and critical classmates, their day is coming.
Ken Newton - April 30, 2024 1:42 pm
Ain’t it a shame we often miss the real meat in a writing due to the expectations of the writer having to adhere to proper diction and grammar in the reading of it.
Melika - April 30, 2024 1:48 pm
Sean, please keep writing for us, the ones that enjoy your words. You will never ever please everyone, but don’t let the nay sayers stop you from expressing whatever you feel. And to all the nay sayers, it’s simple, just stop reading what you don’t like and let the rest of us keep reading what we do like, like Sean’s writings!
Beth Miller - April 30, 2024 1:51 pm
I am a writer as well and have been tempted to listen to criticism in the past. But I haven’t, because if even one person is encouraged by my writing, then that’s all that matters. Personally, Sean, I love reading your column. Some days it’s the only thing that puts a smile on my face. So, you keep writing, and I’ll keep writing, and the rest of the folks can go read something else.
Debbie Vaughan - April 30, 2024 2:58 pm
My friend shared your column with me back in February. I LOVE it! Being honest, I find I’m often reading your column more than my Bible (I said the quiet part out loud). I’m in the hospital right now as my elderly mom was admitted a couple days ago for some nasty stuff. I found out last night that she enjoys The Voice and American Idol. Who knew? But kind of like that, what makes a singer special is the uniqueness of their voice. Your writing “voice” is the same …meaning it’s unique and different. That’s what makes it special and meaningful! Glad you saw that in Samantha, too! Thanks for your daily encouragement, humor, frivolity, and frankness. You certainly make my day! I’ll get back to reading my Bible now. 😉
kris weaver - April 30, 2024 3:10 pm
I love your writing style. After I listened to “Kinfolk” on Audiobook, I read “Stars of Alabama”. (When I was reading Stars), I could hear your voice in the words I was reading and it made it that much more fun to read. Please don’t ever stop writing.
Curt Grice - April 30, 2024 3:53 pm
Hurt people hurt people. Blessed people bless people. You write because it’s a gift… a talent… a way to process life… and a way to bless others. “Pray for those who curse and mistreat you” (easier said than done). It’s always hard to be misunderstood and unappreciated. Trust God. Love people. Carry on. Blessings!
Kate Treick - May 1, 2024 3:04 am
My eyelashes are still a little damp because I just finished The Incredible Winston Browne and needed more so I clicked the link at the end of my kindle book and arrived at this post. Your writing hits deep. I feel like I know each one of the characters, and I am going to have to start another of your books because I don’t want to be left no-longer-in-the-midst of a wonderful story.
Oh, and I am a pastor’s wife and I love your humor. I am a transplant who lives not far off of Highway 29 and books like yours have been part of nurturing my increasingly southern soul. So thanks for all the blood, sweat and tears that go into creating a story like this. And let someone else sift your mail. 🙂
kris weaver - May 1, 2024 8:33 pm
Kate – All of Sean’s books that I’ve read so far are great but Kinfolk is my favorite. The Incredible Winston Browne is next!
Kate - May 4, 2024 5:26 am
I’ll put it on my list! Thanks!
steve acree - May 1, 2024 2:22 pm
I love all the comments. I had surgical procedure yesterday so missed it then. You are that morning smile and inspiration to many of us. Haters are out there and as someone said the miserable ones will try to make others of us miserable. Samantha, your critics are nothing to listen to. Listen to Sean, he brings joy to the world. You will, too. If we can laugh at ourselves we can be happy.
Janet - May 2, 2024 2:01 pm
I learned something in an office management workshop which has never left me. It takes at least six positive remarks to outweigh one negative one. You bring your readers joy, even the Baptists. You encourage our souls by the examples of everyday decent people and their decent behavior. You share with us the love of a blind dog, and a blind god-daughter, which touches our hearts. You describe the old soul of the South in ways that help us see it with new eyes. You bring us memories of old music, boiled peanuts, front porches and sweet tea. You give us yourself, a gift I personally cherish. Thank you.