…That common courtesy is a basic expectation of those who choose to interact on this site, a free, personal fiction blog I created for the sole purpose of sharing stories with those out there in the world who might enjoy them.

It should also go without saying that for anyone who is no longer enjoying the content on this blog, the last thing I want is for you to feel like you have to keep slogging it out here for no good reason. There are hundreds upon hundreds of SessKag fics out there to suit everyone’s tastes. Rather than being whiny, confrontational or otherwise acting badly, why not just save yourself and everyone else the trouble and go read elsewhere? Otherwise, I’m forced to conclude that you’re just a petty, toxic person who enjoys starting drama for the sake of it and spreading negativity where none is needed, nor certainly wanted.

Please know that I’m not talking about the vast majority of you. I consider 99.9% of you to be the loveliest, kindest, most encouraging, open-minded and thoughtful people. I appreciate your feedback, support and engagement here more than I can say, and please understand that I’m not directing this post at any of you.

But unfortunately, for the first time in more than 8 years of running this blog, I’ve had to block a person for repeated misconduct in the comments. I’m not happy about it. I’m sad and disappointed about it, and I think it’s a pity and a shame. I’m embarrassed for this person, and I sincerely hope that they can learn to get their act together and treat others with more maturity and consideration in the future.

To be perfectly frank, I don’t care what people have to say to me about my writing. If I cared about what other people had to say, I wouldn’t have written most of the stories that I have. I write my stories for me, no one else. You can tell me my stories are boring, or screwed-up, or badly characterized or whatever, and that’s fine. I’m not expecting people to kiss my ass in the comments. So long as you don’t personally attack me (or threaten me with social media retaliation…), I’m cool with it. I would request that you be polite about it, but feel free to say whatever you want to me about my writing.

However…

I WILL NOT tolerate harassment of others on this site. I will also not tolerate personal attacks, threats, or any other sort of shit-stirring along those lines. That is not the purpose of this fiction blog. We are all adults here (or we are supposed to be). Go take your petty, childish bullshit somewhere else. Or better yet, grow the fuck up and learn how to get along well with others.

If I see repeated misconduct along these lines, you will get one warning to cool it off, but if you continue to double-down on your bad attitude, you will be put in time-out (aka, blocked). That’s just the way it has to be to keep this little community of ours the peaceful, fun-loving, conflict-free space that the rest of us adults want it to be.

I’m not trying to act like I’m some sort of fucking saint here. I’ll admit I’ve acted badly more times that I can count. We’ve all taken it a little too far at times. I get it. We get emotional, or frustrated, or we have things going on in our lives that give us a short fuse. I understand that, and I have plenty of sympathy for it.

That said, instead of firing back at someone who calls you out for being an ass, why not simply swallow your pride, take a step back and do some self-reflection? In this age of personal entitlement and online toxicity, everyone is a critic. Everything is black and white, everyone is either right or wrong, and no one is ever in the wrong themselves. No one ever acknowledges when they make a mistake anymore. But it’s perfectly human to make mistakes, and utterly dishonest to pretend otherwise.

Not that I’d ever expect it, but if someone online ever did apologize to me for acting like an ass, I would be blown away with respect for that person. I would not only tell them it’s all good, but I’d tell them straight-up: You have earned my respect. Humility and personal accountability are rarer than gold these days.

So here is my apology to you fine folks: I’m sorry that I had to trouble you with this sort of post. I would much prefer to keep things light and fun and positive in this fictional space, and going forward I aim to do so.

Thank you for your understanding, your patience and your consideration. And as always, happy reading <3